Therapist

PURPOSE: 

The purpose of a Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) Therapist in Preventive Service Department is to provide the TST model for families with child(ren) (ages 5 and over) who are impacted by trauma and there may be risk for foster care placement. The Preventive Services Department provides child welfare services using Evidence Based models to ensure that families are able to provide safe environments for their children, keep children safe in their homes and reduce the need for foster care.  Prevention is an essential part of the child welfare continuum and requires a commitment to the wellbeing of all members of a client family.  All services are provided in a family’s home and community.

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

The Therapist works with families to assess their needs, develop intervention plans, and deliver therapy sessions that are tailored to the family's unique circumstances. They collaborate with other service providers to ensure a comprehensive approach to the family's care. The therapist also plays a crucial role in monitoring the family's progress, adjusting treatment plans as necessary, and working towards successful case closure.

The Therapist is a key figure in helping families overcome challenges, strengthen relationships, and create a safe and nurturing environment for children within the child welfare system. The Therapist provides all services in a client’s home and community. 

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide Child Welfare Preventive Services exclusively or primarily within the client’s home and community
• Learn and implement the TST model
• Improve caregiver-child relationship as a way to restore the child’s functioning
• Integrate case management services with an assigned evidence base model to help families meet their basic needs to promote stability and reduce stress
• Collaborate and coordinate services with all providers working with the family to ensure the family’s needs are adequately being addressed
• Identify and evaluate risk
• Conduct assessments including review of referral information, identify and engage key participants, identify strengths and weaknesses and collaboratively develop goals.
• Engage caregivers and other key participants in active change-oriented treatment by identifying and overcoming barriers to engagement.
• Provide services exclusively or primarily within the client’s home and community. 
• Adhere to the fidelity of the model.  Work within the model’s structure, regarding length of treatment, case contacts, interventions, supervision, and documentation.
• Participate in consultations with the model developer. Audio/video record sessions for training and supervision purposes.
• Maintain clear and concise documentation in CNNX case record including progress notes of treatment efforts and Family Services Assessment Plans, enter data into PROMIS; prepare reports to Probation if required  
• Work a hybrid schedule based on program needs
• Comfortable with group supervision and commitment to work on professional development goals to improve adherence
• Work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of families
• Outreach to generate referrals for program
• Work with a team to meet client, program, and division needs
• Additional tasks as assigned

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Basic social work knowledge and understanding of stages of change
• Ability to provide in home therapy and child welfare services
• Ability to establish a strong therapeutic relationship with families.
• Understanding of the use of family therapy principals to provide services
• Understanding of early childhood development and related theories and models of practice
• Strong Assessment skills to evaluate dynamics and interactions within the family
• Ability to Implement strategies to improve family communication and support

EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING REQUIRED: 

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Creative Arts Therapy  or a related subject area.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED/LANGUAGE PREFERENCE:

• Bilingual/Bicultural preferred
• Experience working in the client’s home.
• Experience working in a Child Welfare, JJI, or Adolescent Focused program.
• Experience and /or knowledge of Evidence-Based Models, Motivational Interviewing and Solution- Focused work. Experience of working within diverse communities.
• Direct practice with families

Computer Skills Required:

• Knowledge of Microsoft office required
• Knowledge and experience with the Connections system preferred

Work Environment / Physical Effort:

• To perform the essential functions of this job the candidate must be able to travel within New York City carrying equipment such as a notebook, forms, laptop, mobile hotspot and cell phone weighing up to approximately 10 pounds.
• Risks/hazards associated with the position are those which may be encountered travelling around New York City and interfacing with clients experiencing an acute mental health crisis or serious emotional disturbance.
• Position is currently hybrid but can become 100% in person based on program need. 

If you join us, you’ll have these great benefits:

• Generous paid time off in addition to paid agency holidays and 15 sick days
• Affordable and high-quality medical/dental/vision plans 
• Tuition assistance and educational loan forgiveness
• Free continuing education opportunities 
• 403(b) retirement benefits and a pension
• Flexible spending accounts for health and transportation 
• 27/7 Accessible Employee Assistance Program  
• Life and disability insurance 

Who we are:

 The Jewish Board delivers innovative, high-quality, and compassionate mental health and social services to over 45,000 New Yorkers each year. We are unique in serving everyone from infants and their families to children, teens, and adults. We are proud to employ and serve people of all religions, races, cultural backgrounds, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. We are committed to building diverse, equitable, and inclusive teams to help support our mission, and we strongly encourage candidates from historically marginalized backgrounds to apply to work with us.

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