Lead Clinical Staff

General Objective: The Lead Clinical Staff works within a Leadership Team with the Program Director and the Director of Operations, providing leadership and direction in the integration of therapeutic efforts into the program structure of the corporation's therapeutic group homes to maintain an optimal balance of care and treatment based upon each youth's needs. The Lead Clinical Staff person provides direct therapies to seriously emotionally disturbed youth and their families within a Therapeutic Group Home.

Nature and Scope of this Position:
• This person reports directly to the Director of Operations of Youth Homes.
• This person leads the integration of therapy and therapeutic interventions into the program structure of the corporations' therapeutic group homes.
• This person does direct therapeutic services, including individual, group and family therapies as well as doing clinical assessments of residents.
• This person instructs and supports direct care staff in therapeutic intervention for the corporation's therapeutic group homes and serves as the clinical resource in the management of the milieu.
• This person works closely with Treatment Team members to provide them with support, feedback and guidance in the implementation of treatment.
• This person is responsible for the ethical application of best practices in the field of group care.
• This person operates in accordance with all pertinent rules for therapeutic group homes.
• This person represents the therapeutic group home programs in the communities, with referring agencies and their staff, and builds positive and collegial working relationships with many other community agencies.

Tasks:
• Oversee and perform Therapeutic Service
- Receive, review and present referrals to corporate Admissions Committee.
- Assess treatment needs of individual youth including clinical assessments when needed.
- Develop and update Treatment Plans and in compliance with rule and contract.
- Serve as lead Youth Homes' representative on Treatment Teams of residents.
- Provide individual, family and group therapy.
- Document sessions as required by professional standards and rule.
- Write reports as required or requested.
- Engage line staff to guide residents toward successful completion of treatment plans.
- Provide leadership on treatment issues in weekly staff meetings and to staff on individual basis to ensure the integration of treatment into program operation.
- Participate in the development of program objectives and outcomes.
• Integration of treatment within Program Structure
- Participate in team interviews of applicants for staff positions.
- Orient new staff to treatment approach.
- Assist in staff development related to therapeutic intervention and skill development.
- Serve as clinical resource in regular weekly staff meetings.
- Be on-call to address clinical issues with direct care staff as needed.
- Establish and maintain working relationships with referring agency leaders.
- Assist in getting referrals to program services.
• Do other administrative tasks
- Do reports as required and requested.
- Do presentations as requested.
- Attend community meetings as appropriate and necessary.
- Attend Board meetings as necessary or required.
- Do other tasks as assigned.

Responsibilities:
• Oversee therapeutic services.
• Participate in review and redesign of therapeutic services with other staff and corporate leadership.
• Operate within the philosophical and administrative guidelines of the Youth Homes Corporation.
• Understand and follow all applicable corporate policy, licensing requirements, contract requirements, and state laws and generally accepted professional best practice.
• Operate in the best interests of the youth in care.
• Give others respect, regardless of opinion, and consideration in dealings with them.
• Use the best possible judgment and the most available information and input in making decisions.
• Be an effective member and supportive leader in staff teams in group homes.

Requirements:
• Solid moral character.
• Licensed mental health professional or therapist in training.
• At least three years experience working with high-risk children or youth.
• Be able to pass background checks including Child Protective Service Check, Criminal Records check and Department of Motor Vehicle check.

Knowledge of:
• Therapeutic modalities for treatment of seriously emotionally disturbed youth to include cognitive behavioral therapy, behavior management techniques, emotional regulation techniques.
• Licensing and contract requirements for therapeutic group care.
• The working of the child welfare system.
• The working of the juvenile justice System.
• The working of the mental health system.
• Understanding of family systems.
• Social learning theory and behavior management techniques.
• Attachment.
• Conflict resolution and communication skills.
• Child and youth development theory, normalcy and deviance.
• Childhood issues, including emotional disturbances, learning disabilities, etc.

Wage and Benefits
• Base salary at Grade 12 of the Youth Homes' Salary Schedule, or DOE
• Simplified Employee Pension in 3rd year.
• Employer funded leave.
- Annual and Bonus leave.
- Exceptional leave.
- Educational leave.
• Employer contributions to:
- Individual and dependent covered health insurance.
- Long-term disability insurance for the employee.
- Pension when eligible
• Available benefits to eligible employees.
- Flexible benefits plan.
- Health Savings Account.
• Available access for employee funded:
- Tax-sheltered annuity.
- Dental insurance coverage.
- Vision insurance coverage