CANS Assessment Manager

Our Community Our Kids•Fort Worth, TX

About The Position

This position will be responsible for the management of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS) Assessor unit operations. The main responsibilities include ensuring the team achieves project goals and objectives for services delivery by monitoring caseloads, consulting with staff on case issues, approving assessments, reporting out on data and conducting trainings with OCOK staff. Working Conditions: Position includes exposure to parents, guardians, and conservators as well as to youth with behavioral problems, including possible physical aggression. Will be required to travel to attend meetings, training, or conduct business off site. Must have a valid driver's license and meet agency’s underwriting standards if driving on agency business. A personal vehicle is required for travel. Exposure to Confidential Information: The CANS Assessment Manager will have access to confidential records including youth files, foster care/adoption records, foster/adopt parent information and biological family history. Must maintain confidentiality and follow policies related to personnel records and client records.

Requirements

A master’s degree in social work or related field is required. Certification as a CANS Super-Skilled User within 90 days of hire date included as part of the position’s training and required annually thereafter.
A minimum of three years of experience working with children, youth and families in foster care or related experience with some knowledge of the regulations that guide residential services required. A minimum of three years’ experience with supervision.
Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with youth, families, collaborating agencies, community professionals, and OCOK/ACH Child and Family Services staff. Must be willing to increase knowledge in the application of all related standards that govern residential services. Must demonstrate excellent organizational skills as well as the ability to develop systems that support compliance. Must work autonomously to ensure that all deadlines are met, and CANS tasks are completed. Must demonstrate an ability to continue learning through supervision, continuing education, and experience, and work cooperatively using a team approach. Must be willing to put into practice Trauma-Informed Care principles.

Responsibilities

Establishes goals and objectives; develops and approves schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals; and manages evaluation activities.
Interprets CANS program policy and procedures to unit staff, other agency staff and external partners.
Develops unit operations to ensure the CANS assessment is administered consistent with policies and procedures, and within CANS certification requirements.
Confers with OCOK leadership to develop strategic plans and long- and short-term goals for the department and continuous quality improvement efforts.
Identifies and makes recommendations to improve CANS assessments and requirements as appropriate.
As a certified CANS Super-Skilled User, provides technical assistance and guidance to agency staff, leadership and the community partners related to the Texas Child-Centered Care System, placement process, treatment planning and CANS assessment.
Supervises a unit of OCOK CANS Assessor staff, including hiring and training. Provides ongoing guidance, leadership and management to the individuals on the team and team as a whole through monthly conferences, performance data and annual performance reviews.
Evaluates unit performance through reports and observation of unit operations to ensure unit compliance with policy, procedure, and service control requirements.
Communicates regularly with Clinical Director and seeks supervision when appropriate.
Prepares reports on CANS and T3C related data for OCOK Leadership and external partners.
Ensures that all deadlines are met and decisions affecting OCOK CANS assessment/T3C rates are communicated and documented.
Establishes effective working relationships with co-workers.
Deals satisfactorily with and acknowledges work-related stress.
Maintains appropriate boundaries between professional and personal issues.
Adheres to all policies and procedures of the agency and its accrediting and standard setting bodies, such as Council on Accreditation (COA) and state licensing.
Respects the dignity and worth of all clients and families.
Maintains client confidentiality per agency standards and all applicable codes of ethics.
Uses outside professional collaboration and intra-agency teamwork appropriate to the agency.
Learns, understands, and supports the agency’s mission, purpose, and function.
Is prepared to address appropriate issues during supervisory conferences and meetings.
Accepts direction from supervisor and implements supervisor’s suggestions and instructions.
Understands the job description in relation to other agency positions.
Continues to work to improve skills needed for position held.
Considers the environmental, cultural, safety, diversity issues and needs of the clients.
Identifies and understands the strengths, abilities, and competencies of the clients.
Other duties as assigned.
Attends relevant in-service training offered at OCOK/ACH to expand knowledge of services and the application of clinical skills.
Attends mandatory training such as, but not limited to, Emergency Behavior Intervention, CPR and First Aid, Psychotropic Medications and Trauma-Informed Care training.
Completes all necessary CANS and T3C training.
Attends continuing education necessary to expand knowledge and maintain certifications or licenses.