Therapist - Family and Children's Services
Elizabeth, NJ
About the Job
Mission: "Building hope and healing trauma to strengthen families and communities."
Family and Children's Services has a long legacy of serving Union County and the surrounding areas. From providing trauma-informed mental health therapy, to hosting community workshops on trauma-related topics, to offering in-home life skills guidance, Family and Children's Services has been coaching, supporting and encouraging vulnerable individuals and families since 1893.
We are looking for a mental health counselor to provide culturally competent, goal-oriented, needs-based clinical interventions that address emotional and behavioral challenges of youth and their families. The therapist will typically provide these services in the child's home, in-office or other community locations; the therapy is designed to successfully maintain youth in the home and community.
JOB EXPECTATIONS:
Department of Child Protection & Permanency (DCPP) Programs
- Provide culturally competent therapeutic visitation, reunification, and stabilization services to families involved in the child welfare system. Role model appropriate parent/child interaction through demonstration
- Observe, assess, document, and intervene therapeutically with parent-child interaction prior to, during, and following sessions
- Utilize identified assessment tools during therapeutic sessions and report on findings
- Actively participate in treatment team meetings and supervision by sharing clinical assessment and perspectives
- Complete client/family-centered treatment plans and progress updates via assessment with family and DCPP
- Collaborate with all referral providers/agencies/schools in order to support assessment, treatment, service planning, and discharge
- Work with team to implement interventions through a trauma-informed lens
- Utilize evidence-based or evidence-informed treatment strategies with the goal of increasing knowledge and skills to promote healthy behaviors, strengthen parenting, and support the family dynamic
Other Responsibilities
- Maintain all required case documentation using agency Electronic Health Record and DCPP tools according to program standards
- Generate quarterly summary reports to measure outcomes
- Ensure quality and accuracy of written and verbal communications
- Participate in agency quarterly quality assurance efforts, including record reviews and reporting by agency quality assurance coordinator
- Comply with state confidentiality laws and child abuse reporting laws
- Provide Treatment Summaries to referring agencies in a timely manner.
- Comply with Utilization Review Criteria for Admission, Continuation, and Completion of Services
- Reasonable accommodations may be made if necessary to enable individuals with disabilities who are qualified for this position to perform the essential functions of the job and enjoy equal employment opportunities
- Other duties as assigned to perform the essential functions
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:
- Masters level degree and professional license (LSW, LCSW, LAMFT, LMFT, LAC, LPC)
- Experience providing therapy services to children/adolescents/families
- Experience with NJ Child Welfare System and high-risk populations a plus
- Experience with evidence-based treatments preferred
- Working knowledge of electronic health record system
- Proficiency in using Microsoft software: Excel, Word, PowerPoint
- Valid driver's license and good driving record required
- Bilingual (Spanish-English) preferred
- Knowledge of state confidentiality laws and child abuse reporting laws
- Ability to work well with people and problem-solve
- Strong organization skills and ability to follow through with commitments and deadlines
- Must be able to analyze work, set goals, develop plans, and utilize time effectively
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written
- Evening and/or Saturday hours may be required
Our Values
Connection - We are in this together
Humility - There is much we do not know
Respect - Acceptance, not judgment
Hope - Hope is contagious
Professionalism - Integrity and honesty in all we do
Gratitude - For staff, for children, for families, for supporters, for community
Equal Opportunity Employer