Clinical Services Specialist

State of Indiana•Indianapolis, IN

2d•Remote

About The Position

Join a group of passionate, dedicated public servants to support one of Indiana’s most critical missions! The Department of Child Services helps children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. We pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, and adoption. Our services also encompass foster care, child support, and transitional support for those adjusting to adulthood. Our culture is built upon our MVP foundation: Mission: Champion Indiana’s future by protecting children and strengthening families with compassion and determination. Vision: Every child in Indiana thrives in a safe, loving, forever home. Purpose: Ignite hope. Cultivate joy. The Clinical Services Specialist (Clinical Consultant) is a key member of the Integrated Care Team, partnering with assigned counties or programs statewide throughout DCS to support the clinical needs of high acuity youth. This role provides clinical guidance, interpretation, and recommendations through close collaboration with internal DCS staff and external partners. Consultants offer psychoeducation and support to DCS teams, treatment providers, and foster families to ensure our most vulnerable youth receive appropriate, effective care. The Integrated Care Team oversees the continuum of care for youth in contracted residential facilities, including state hospital referrals, acute hospitalization, admissions, treatment planning, and discharge processes. Candidates should bring strong clinical expertise across multiple settings, hold a clinical or associate license through the Professional Licensing Agency (PLA), and have experience in child welfare. This is a fully remote role, with preference for knowledge of services and resources in the Indianapolis area. This role operates on a remote basis. Service area will be determined by residency.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Mental Health or related field from an accredited University.
Active Indiana licensure through the Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Associate Mental Health Counselor (LMHC-A), or an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT-A).
Clinical work experience with children, adults and/or families required.
Experience providing crisis management, including time sensitive, solution focused treatment.
Knowledge of the principles of mental health and/or social work, state and federal laws, policies and regulations related to the administration of therapeutic services.
Knowledge of the characteristics and social aspects of mental and emotional disturbances and developmental disabilities.
Knowledge of the scope and activities of local and private health and welfare agencies and community organizations.
Knowledge of evidence-based counseling and/or psychotherapeutic interventions.
Ability to respond supportively and empathetically to individuals struggling with mental illness and unsafe behaviors from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to obtain accurate social data, to record such data systematically and to write clear, accurate and concise reports with realistic and meaningful recommendations.
Ability to make independent clinical judgments.
Ability to evaluate client treatment needs and collaborate with community-based and residential staff to develop an effective course of action.
Effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
Cultural awareness and sensitivity.
Valid driver’s license and access to transportation.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Preference for knowledge of services and resources in the Indianapolis area.

Responsibilities

Evaluates cases to identify therapeutic treatment and service needs, for patients who may have experienced trauma or are impacted by severe mental illness.
Initiates multidisciplinary team responses to ensure positive outcomes and safety for the patient.
Provides education and collaboration with other professionals to assess patient needs, plan and implement clinical treatment interventions, and make treatment and placement recommendations.
Recommends options and solutions to address the needs of the patient to ensure clinical recommendations are fulfilled.
Establishes and maintains a therapeutic alliance with the patient and family/caregivers by facilitating family therapy as needed, with focus on resolving barriers to patient progress and community support connections in discharge planning.
Develops and maintains processes related to collaboration with patients referred to the state hospital, acute hospitals, and intensive residential placements.
Evaluates the effectiveness of counseling or educational programs.
May provide individual or group therapy to patients to decrease problematic symptoms and enhance treatment outcomes.
May consult with agency field staff and attorneys regarding the assessment and therapeutic treatment of patients.
May address legal issues, assist in hearings and/or provide testimony as required by Court.

Benefits

Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 in election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
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