WEDGWOOD CHRISTIAN SERVICES
Job
Description
Pay Status: Exempt
Pay Classification:
A.
Job Title: Therapist - Foster Care
The Therapist is accountable to the
Program Administrator for providing treatment and casework services
to the clients
and families to which he/she is assigned.
He/she is to provide leadership in treatment
planning,
individual and family therapy sessions.
B. Duties
and Responsibilities:
*
1. Assume responsibility for
completing Intake portion of office files, and for coordination of services
necessary
at or just following intake.
*
2. Communicate and cooperate
with Foster Care Intake Coordinator regarding incoming referrals and
participates
in interviews as requested.
*
3 Coordinate
the transfer/discharge process for the client and family, informing the Program
Administrator and
the Admissions Department of projected transfer/discharge planning.
*
4. Provide individual therapy to
each client on his/her caseload, on a weekly basis.
*
5. Conduct group therapy on an
"as needed" basis regarding issues pertinent to foster youths and/or
their
families.
*
6. Conduct family therapy
sessions on an "as needed" basis with foster and/or biological
families.
*
7. Refer clients to appropriate
sources for counseling in specialized areas as necessary.
*
8. Communicate and cooperate
with the referring worker to establish individual treatment plans and
assess
clients' progress.
*
9. Assure adequate educational
placement and progress for each client through regular contact with
school
personnel.
* 10.
Attend and testifies at scheduled Review Hearings concerning the
progress of clients in placement,
when
required.
* 11.
Plan, schedule and coordinate phone calls and visits between the client
and his/her biological
family, as
indicated by the status of the case.
* 12.
Meet with foster families on a weekly basis, or more often as required.
* 13.
Facilitate communication and good working relations between the agency
and the community,
including
police, church, neighbors, volunteers, employers and friends of individual
clients.
* 14.
Complete all service plans, contact records, and all other necessary
paperwork, in a timely manner.
15.
Assist foster parents, as necessary, with referrals for medical and
dental services.
16.
Assist in transportation, as necessary, to medical, dental and
counseling appointments.
* 17.
Provide aftercare services to clients and families upon discharge, as
dictated by individual care needs
and
contractual agreements with referring agencies.
* 18.
Develop treatment plans for each client, working in cooperation with
others who are currently, or
who have
been, involved in service delivery to assigned clients and families. Develop Service Plans,
Discharge Summaries, Parent/Agency
Agreements, Foster Home Evaluations, Court Reports,
Progress notes,
and other documents as required by licensing.
* 19.
Monitor the quality of overall treatment services to clients on his/her
caseload; and evaluate the
adequacy
of these services to meet treatment objectives.
* 20.
Assist in the education, training, and evaluation of Foster Care staff,
leading them to effectively deal
with the
youth in their care.
* 21.
Participates in regularly scheduled staff meetings, therapist meetings,
and any others as deemed
necessary
by the Program Administrator.
* 22.
Keep informed of current foster care program developments and needs, and
provide input regarding
suggested
changes.
23.
Professional Growth
*
a. Keep informed of current foster
care program developments and needs, and provide input
regarding
suggested changes.
*
b. Possess a working knowledge of
licensing and accreditation standards and work with other
disciplines to assure compliance with such standards.
*
c. Utilize
educational opportunities and resources offered by the agency and through the profession
for
continued development of skills and clinical expertise, (conferences,
in-services, therapists
meetings,
resource groups etc.)
*
d . Meet
regularly with his/her supervisor and use the knowledge and skills of his/her
supervisor to
increase
understanding of treatment programming and to further professional development.
*
f. Prepare presentations for colleagues and/or
team members on selected relevant treatment
topics.
* 24.
Participate in on-call rotation, carrying the beeper as assigned, and
responding to emergency
situations
while on call.
* 25.
Is available during the week for emergency consultation with foster
parents through answering
service
referrals.
*11. Travels to foster care
homes/programs/courts located throughout the area serviced.
Note:
Those areas marked with an asterisk are essential functions for purposes of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (
C.
Qualifications:
1.
Master's degree in Social Work, Clinical
Psychology or another associated human service profession.
2. Clinical experience working with adolescents
and/or families preferred.
3.
Prior experience working with an interdisciplinary team in a foster care
setting preferred.
4.
Required to provide proof of registration
within applicant's defined area:
Registered Social Worker,
Certified Social Work, Licensed
Psychologist, Limited License Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and
Family Therapist,
or Professional Counselor.
5.
For transportation purposes must have a
valid driver's license.
6.
Subscription to the Statement of Faith of
Wedgwood Christian Youth and Family Services and agreement with the goal,
purpose and objectives of the agency.
The above statements
are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed
by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be
construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills
required of personnel so classified.
Revised as of
Revised as of
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