Assessment Specialist

Northern Children Services • Philadelphia, PA

14h

About The Position

Are you passionate about supporting the healthy development of children, youth, and families for a brighter future? Look no further! At Northern Children’s Services (Northern), every role in the organization contributes to helping us achieve our mission and vision. We believe that every child and youth has the potential to transform themselves – no matter their background or life situation. We work to “walk the talk” when it comes to our organizational values: Excellence, Respect, Resilience, Cultural Humility & Justice, Healing, and Wellness. As an Assessment Specialist, you’ll embark on a fulfilling journey. At Northern Children’s Services, Inc., we value diversity, inclusion, and the well-being of every individual. Join us in our mission to empower children and families, one meaningful interaction at a time. Apply today and be a part of something truly extraordinary!

Requirements

• Minimum Requirement - Master's Degree from an accredited university in a clinical mental health discipline AND completed clinical or MH practicum
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification or behavioral analysis certification
• Graduate degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
• Licensed BSC
• At least one year’s full-time paid experience in the mental health field. Excellent working knowledge of clinical issues relating to children, adolescents and families.
• Familiar with multiple child-serving systems (e.g., education, juvenile justice, child welfare, mental health, drug and alcohol, health care and vocational rehab).
• Ability to walk up and down stairs.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs.
• Ability to operate a computer, printer and calculator.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle or access public transportation.
• Requires some flexible work schedules: evening and weekend hours.
• Willingness to learn and maintain the value of a trauma-informed culture.
• Commit to the maintenance of a therapeutic environment and community that promotes safety, nonviolence, and resilience as the basis for all we do with clients and staff.
• Knowledge and utilization of trauma-informed practices:
• Emotional intelligence
• Effective communication
• Understanding of the impact of trauma on human development
• Use of person-first and strengths-based language

Responsibilities

• Coordinates the overall clinical direction of treatment for the children assigned to caseload, in collaboration with family and other treatment professionals.
• Provides leadership in the treatment plan development and instruction and direction to other team members in implementing it.
• Participates in performance improvement activities.
• Conducts meetings to plan anticipated clinical needs of consumers.
• Develops treatment plan based on Functional Behavior Assessment, per agency and regulatory standards.
• Attends treatment team meetings, IEP meetings and ITM meetings, if they will inform the Functional Behavior Assessment.
• Ensures that the treatment goals, objectives and interventions are appropriate and fit the child and family's needs.
• Conducts observations of the child’s behaviors in all appropriate settings.
• Provides interventions and feedback to the treatment team, based on the observations, during visitations.
• Initiates contact with family, school and other agencies [as identified] to understand client baseline and progress on the treatment plan.
• Clearly and effectively communicates program goals and directives to staff, families, school district personnel, agency staff and other providers of service.
• Collaborates with schools, families, funding source representatives and internal/external resources as appropriate.
• Collaborates with treatment teams, including Care Coordinator, to refer families to appropriate services to meet needs identified from Social Determinants Scale.
• Documents all observations, data, case management activities, attendance at meetings, incidents, etc. within 72 hours (about 3 days) of service provision per agency policy and procedure.
• Creates Functional Behavior Assessment and Treatment Plan based on observations and data collected, per agency and regulatory standards.
• Documents all billable services, including all case management and collaboration activities.
• Completes incident reports within 24 hours when significant events occur.
• Functional Behavior Assessment with graph and Treatment Plan completed within 14 days of initial service.
• Ability to communicate and interact with staff and consultants.
• Ability to assess consumer treatment needs and apply appropriate therapeutic intervention.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from consumers and collateral agencies.
• Ability to give clear and concise oral and written instructions.
• Working knowledge of the Behavioral Health system. Knowledge of and ability to navigate other social service systems.
• Good working knowledge of theoretical models, therapeutic interventions and behavior modification as it relates to our consumer base.
• Ability to effectively implement conflict resolution skills in dealing with consumers and staff.
• Ability to respond in a culturally competent manner to consumer issues.
• Experience in psychosocial assessment and treatment planning.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Our EAP offers confidential referral and counseling services to help employees and their families manage life's challenges, including stress management, legal and financial concerns, depression, and substance abuse.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level