Counselor

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is in the Intensive Family Services Department with the expectation of increasing the number of children achieving timely and safe permanency and  decreasing the number of children re- entering the Child Welfare System, being re-abused or re-neglected, and stabilizing children in their placements. The clinician will work in a team approach to utilize a solution-focused, family centered approach and evidenced based practices to assist families in meeting needs and goals while preventing further incidents of abuse, neglect and abandonment. This individual will work with the other members of the team to provide a supportive, empowering and respectful relationship with families to facilitate change and emphasize the need to take action by providing both concrete services and family interventions. The clinician will provide therapeutic services in the home or in a place convenient to the family and the services needed.   The focus of this position is to provide post judicial or judicial services to at-risk families (both children and adults).  The clinician will provide services that will be flexible to the parents individual needs and will include a discharge/after care plan for each family upon case closure.  The clinician will identify the family's strengths and resources and build upon these elements in collaboration with the Child Safety Dependency Case Manager. Individuals in this position will participate in IDT and permanency staffings. Upon assignment to a family, the clinician will complete an in depth clinical assessment with a focus on Trauma Informed Care treatment at the initiation of the case, and update the assessment at critical junctures and at the closure of the case.  Depending upon the risk level of the case, the number of weekly therapeutic visits will vary high risk cases receiving more frequent counseling.  This individual will be required to transport clients as needed and assigned. The therapist will be assigned to be on call for coverage after hours and on weekends. Staff are required to complete all corporate and industry related training for child welfare services, including the principles and techniques of Signs of Safety.    This position includes other duties as assigned. Responsible to meet productivity requirements of 60% which includes 1152 billable hours annually or a minimum of 24 billable hours per week.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Conduct home based counseling session with parents, caretakers, at-risk children, their families, and extended support networks.
2. Provide information, referral and follow-up for appropriate ancillary community counseling, psychiatric services, financial, employment, parenting, housing, and other services as deemed appropriate to meet family needs.
3. Keep accurate record of all activities, including the documentation of all phone calls and linkage with community support, as well as, home visits.
4. Create a Comprehensive Family Assessment with the family (and formal and informal supports when these extended supports are available) to address the issues, which have brought the family to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office attention and which have contributed to the family's need for interventions from the program. This is for the care manager.
5. Create a supporting Treatment Plan, which lays out the specific goals, interventions, and parties responsible for the process to attain the necessary means for the identified need to be met.
6. Monitor progress as it pertains to the Treatment Plan again written as a collaborative document with the child, their parents, and caregivers. The referral source, as well as, formal and informal supports that are brought into the treatment process.
7. Conduct Integrated Decision Team Staffing on cases to ensure wrap around services are in place prior to case closure.
8. Create an advocacy relationship with the client in order that their needs are met by other systems, which they are involved with to include but not to be limited to, the Child Welfare System, the School System, the Economic Self Sufficiency System, Employment and Housing Systems.
9. Maintain client records that are timely and include detailed quality information, as well as, meet performance standards as outlined by Directions for Living policy and procedure.
10. Maintain accurate and up-to-date Authorization for Release of Confidential information forms to assure client confidentiality (one form per source agency to communicate with).
11. Must ensure concise and timely completion of all documentation, according to contract requirements, including entering all case activities into the Florida Safe Families Network within 2 business days.
12. Assist in program planning and community outreach, training, and development of resources for the program clients.
13. Counselors to meet contractual requirements of a minimum of  two weekly home visits per family per client  at least every seven days, unless waived by Director.
14. To ensure all outcome measurements are satisfied per the contract requirements.
15. Attend supervision with Director and/or Licensed Supervisor on every case.
16. To participate in monthly staff meetings and peer audits with Director and staff.
17. Responsible to meet productivity requirements of 60% which includes 1152 billable hours annually or a minimum of 24 billable hours per week.
18. Ability to partner across the organization with multiple departments through the exchange of data, information, and frequent communication. 

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Ensure a safe and drug-free workplace and participate I risk management and quality improvement programs.
2. Adhere to confidentiality and ethics practices at all times as set forth by the agency, by the funders, and by your professional ethics as a clinician.
3. Respond to emergencies and provide crisis intervention, and on-call responsibilities.
4. Ensure and safeguard the human and legal rights of clients, their families/significant caregivers, and peers at all times.
5. Represent Directions for Living in an ethical and professional manner in the community both during and after business hours.
6. Adhere to relevant laws and policies regarding fraternization with clients.
7. Provide quality services and maintain desired productivity level as defined by the Director.
8. Perform all other duties as assigned by the Director and or Licensed Supervisor.

Exhibit a positive attitude, which supports a team approach and facilitates collaboration and cooperation with peers, as well as the Director and Licensed Supervisor

ACCESS TO PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION:

Will be knowledgeable in and practice all   policies and procedures related to privacy and security practices cited in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) applicable to my program and position.

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS:

1. Have a minimum of a Master's Degree in Human Services or related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Certified Addictions Professional (CAP) preferred. 
3. Minimum two years related previous experience conducting comprehensive clinical assessment and one year of child welfare.

KEY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

The employee will comply with or maintain:

1. All Organization policies and procedures especially those dealing with confidentiality according to state laws, professional and contractual standards, and HIPAA regulations
2. A high level of accuracy with data processing
3. Positive relationships with all employees and clients.
4. A professional attitude at all times
5. A work ethic that insures effective and consistent completion of tasks
6. Answer telephones promptly and in an appropriate manner using tact and courtesy. Apply knowledge of the Organization's programs and resources in taking messages and giving information. This will involve routing emergency calls to the proper personnel, quickly and efficiently.
7. Must not present a direct threat to the safety or health of self or others.
8. Remain current on training and documentation requirements. Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement.
9. Supports and adheres to the five client promises.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT / PROCEDURES

Employee is required to:

1. Maintain the safety of self and others at all times
2. Complete all mandatory Health, Safety and Emergency Preparedness Trainings
3. Wear seat belts while driving on organization business, and follow all corporate safety policies and procedures.

BASIC STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE:

1. Arrives to work on time, uses sick and annual leave according to established policies, completes paperwork and projects within deadlines.
2. Exhibits willingness to assist colleagues, assumes additional responsibilities willingly, works varying hours to meet client accessibility and recommends program changes and improvements.
3. Maintains an overall work attitude of cooperation and professionalism in all interactions with agency staff and community professionals.  Communicates and interacts appropriately with colleagues.  Follows through with paperwork to ensure smooth operations with Agency and CBC.
4. Conducts self in a professional manner with colleagues, peers, and clients.  Demonstrates professional behavior toward clients consistent to the enhancement of the client's dignity and well-being.  Upholds established policies and professional standards of conduct.
5. Attendance and punctuality are prerequisites of satisfactory performance.
6. There will be compliance with all company policies and procedures.
7. Obtain familiarity with company mission and adherence to the company's philosophy of continuity of quality care.
8. There will be satisfactory completion of primary and secondary duties and responsibilities of the position as required by

management and supervision.

1. Meet the minimum requirement and demands of the position, including funding goals and objectives.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

1. Have an established record as a strong team player.
2. Excellent organizational skills, detailed oriented.
3. Excellent presentation and training skills.
4. Excellent people, customer service skills.
5. Have the ability to work independently, to coordinate multiple tasks, prioritize work and manage time to accomplish tasks with multiple interruptions.
6. Possess effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
7. Have excellent analytical and problem solving skills with strong attention to detail.
8. Have strong working knowledge of electronic record platform; in particular, FSFN and be proficient in Word, Excel, Project and PowerPoint.
9. Working knowledge of Avatar electronic healthcare systems preferred.
10. Have knowledge of clinical workflow and a basic understanding of clinical terminology.
11. Have substance abuse treatment experience.
12. Able to develop and maintain outstanding relationships with the respective staff of County Sheriff's Department and Eckerd Community Alternatives involved in this project.
13. Must have and maintain clear driving record, maintain required corporate levels of personal vehicle insurance and must pass safety vehicle inspection check.

OFFICE MACHINES & EQUIPMENT USED

1. Multi-line Telephone System
2. Must be computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft Office, windows, word and excel
3. Copier and Fax machines
4. Data Entry Terminal and Printers
5. Personal Vehicle
6. Vertical and Horizontal Filing Systems (alpha and/or numeric)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT/OTHERS:

1. Requires a flexible schedule, including evening hours and week-ends.
2. May be subject to air-conditioned environment on a daily basis.
3. May be dealing with potentially dangerous situations/clients.
4. May frequently be subject to extreme heat, sunlight and humidity.
5. Requires providing services in the homes of families and/or other community settings.
6. Requires ability to function effectively in a smoke-free workplace.
7. Must be able to lift small children (up to 40 pounds).
8. There may be potential exposure to communicable diseases.
9. Must possess an ability to work under stressful client situations.
10. Must possess an ability to work in the field at any given time.
11. Must have reliable transportation and be able to use personal vehicle to transport clients.
12. Must have and maintain clear driving record, must have valid Florida Driver License, maintain required automobile insurance coverage and pass the annual vehicle inspection.
13. May be potential exposure to clients that may exhibit physically and/or other verbally aggressive behaviors.

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