Therapist, MAT

SUMMARY

This position conducts comprehensive psychological assessments for newly detained foster infants, children and adolescents, assessments that will be presented to the court by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to ensure that these children’s needs are met. This position also provides individual and group therapy, treatment and case management services to clients and their families

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports and promotes the mission of the Agency: Foothill Family empowers children and families to achieve success in relationships, school, and work through community-based services that advance growth and development.
• Conducts comprehensive psychological assessments for newly detained foster infants, children and adolescents, assessments that will be presented to the court by DCFS to ensure that these children’s needs are met.
• Completes MAT assessments (Summaries of Findings) under strict timelines required by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and DCFS, which address the following areas: trauma exposure, development, mental health, educational, medical and dental along with a section of family history, their strengths and challenges.
• Gathers information through one-on-one interviews with foster parents, children, biological parents, teachers, day care providers, other mental health providers as well as collaborating with social workers and the DCFS MAT Coordinator.
• Presents Summary of Findings to DCFS staff, parents, foster parents, children and any other additional people integral to the child’s wellbeing.
• Complete either the ICARE or the DMH Child/Adolescent assessment.
• Links the child to a mental health care provider, as needed.
• Provides treatment and case management to Foothill clients and their families
• Carries a caseload of which will possibly include individual therapy, conjoint, family and group therapy play therapy, sexual abuse treatment, child abuse treatment, crisis intervention, school based services and in-home treatment.
• Provides direct service to child, adolescent, and adult clients, including difficult to reach, traumatized, or disengaged individuals and families.
• Identifies and intervenes with the needs of abused and neglected children and adults.
• Facilitates groups that engages and motivates group members in a manner that is beneficial to the group member and enhances his/her participation in the group. Leads discussions and facilitates group activities as relevant to group issues and topics.
• Demonstrates an understanding of group dynamics.
• Identifies symptoms of health, mental health and substance use conditions and responds accordingly.
• Advocates for clients, as well as providing relevant information about community resources when needed.
• Attends meetings as required to assist in client care.
• Attends all mandatory Agency meetings.
• Prepares for supervision and incorporates supervisor's input into client care.
• Assists intake, reception, clinical staff, and accounting in the collection of complete and accurate information necessary for treatment and billing.
• Follows Agency billing procedures by providing accurate information, working in concert with accounting and maintaining a clinical relationship with clients.
• Represents the Agency at community meetings; provides in-service training consults with other agencies, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), courts, and schools.
• Represents the Agency at marketing events and to professionals from other agencies.
• Provides telephone counseling for emergencies both during office hours and outside of office hours for clients.
• Provides individual, family and group short-term treatment utilizing evidence based practices to facilitate positive strength-based change.
• Delivers services required by each treatment plan for assigned cases.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist or registration with State of California and an active intern number as an Associate MFT or Associate Clinical Social Worker.
• Master’s degree from accredited social work, marriage and family therapy, or psychology program.
• Ability to complete a comprehensive and narrative psycho-social assessment that will be presented to DCFS and the courts.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Clinical experience working with children 0-5 preferable.
• Excellent verbal skills in order to present complex psycho-social information at the MAT meetings.
• Experience in providing direct service to individuals, families and groups.
• Experience in providing child abuse treatment.
• Experience in providing treatment to children with serious emotional problems.
• Ability to effectively use of DSM V.
• Good computer skills. Ability to navigate Foothill Family’s EHRS and provide telehealth services as needed.
• Ability to manage county imposed deadlines.
• Knowledge and sensitivity to cultural differences.
• An understanding of child development, as well as individual and family functioning.
• Valid CA Driver’s License and maintains insurability on the Agency’s auto liability policy (including a minimum of 2 years driving experience after receiving license) and maintains the California state required auto insurance liability limits.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.