Lead Therapist

WESTCARE INC•Doral, FL

3d•$60,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Therapist provides clinical leadership for the program’s therapists while maintaining a reduced caseload serving children in foster care and their parents and families. The role supervises and mentors therapists, provides clinical consultation and case review, and supports fidelity to trauma-informed, evidence-based practices, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Seeking Safety, and the Nurturing Parenting Program. The Lead Therapist works closely with the Project Director to meet program objectives and maintain compliance with SAMHSA and agency standards. The position includes behavioral health assessments, treatment planning, individual, family, and group therapy, therapeutic visitation, caregiver education, crisis intervention, safety planning, and coordination with child welfare, court, school, healthcare, and community partners. It also supports quality improvement, staff training and onboarding, grant data collection, and timely service documentation in CDS and/or CCWIS. Work is primarily in a treatment setting or in the field, with travel throughout the community.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field.
Registered Intern status is required.
At least five years of clinical experience providing mental health services to children, adolescents, and families, including trauma-focused treatment.
Knowledge of the Florida Child Welfare Practice Model and the child welfare electronic system of record (FSFN or CCWIS).
Current Background Clearance Screening Letter as required by DCF.
Valid Florida driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare vehicle insurance.
Ability to assess strengths, barriers, problems, and needs and develop Wellness and Recovery Plans.
Ability to write assessments, progress notes, discharge summaries, and other consumer-related documentation.
Knowledge of childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and family systems.
Knowledge of the relationships among substance use, mental health, primary care, physical health, and medication use.
Knowledge and application of developmental theories and ability to assess development across physical, emotional, cognitive, educational, and social areas.
Ability to evaluate how substance use and mental health problems affect functioning in major life areas.
Ability to coordinate and integrate services and communicate with internal and external providers.
Ability to inform individuals and families about alcohol or other drug abuse, mental health problems, and available services and resources.
Ability to identify needs that cannot be met by the counselor or agency and help consumers and families access support systems and community resources.
Ability to identify crises, address immediate problems, de-escalate situations, and develop safety plans as needed.
Understanding of federal, state, local, and agency confidentiality rules and professional standards of conduct.
Understanding of family dynamics, roles, and structure; professional ethics, consumer rights, and professional responsibilities.
Ability to communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and organize, interpret, and communicate data.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and network with internal and external departments and agencies.
Ability to apply trauma-informed care principles, identify trauma signs and impacts, distinguish trauma-informed from trauma-specific services, and understand relationships among trauma, substance use, and mental disorders.
Knowledge of WestCare’s mission, goals, values, services, incident reporting, HIPAA, professional ethics, consumer rights, and confidentiality.
Dependability, good attendance, flexibility, independence, integrity, productive work habits, and the ability to accept supervision and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to maintain a safe and orderly work environment and follow agency safety and unusual incident reporting procedures.
CPR certification, First Aid certification, and an annual Tuberculosis test.
Ability to use Microsoft Office Software Suite.
Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character and pass required pre-employment drug testing and criminal records checks.
Ability to meet the stated physical and mental demands, with or without accommodation, including mobility, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, computer and telephone use, communication, observation, working under stress, and use of approved physical and mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.

Nice To Haves

Florida licensure as an LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT; candidates who are currently licensed are preferred.
At least two years of experience providing clinical supervision or leading behavioral health teams.
Bilingual ability.

Responsibilities

Provide clinical supervision, mentoring, and case consultation to therapists.
Review clinical documentation for quality, timeliness, and fidelity to evidence-based models; provide coaching and feedback.
Monitor fidelity to TF-CBT, Seeking Safety, the Nurturing Parenting Program, and other evidence-based practices used by the program.
Maintain a reduced caseload and provide behavioral health assessments, treatment planning, and individual, family, and group therapy.
Provide therapeutic visitation to strengthen parent-child relationships and support safe reunification.
Facilitate the Nurturing Parenting Program and other caregiver education groups.
Provide Seeking Safety individually or in groups for adolescents and parents affected by trauma and substance use.
Provide crisis intervention and safety planning, and serve as clinical backup to therapists during crises.
Review referrals and assist the Project Director with case assignments based on clinical need.
Coordinate care with child welfare case managers, the dependency court, schools, healthcare providers, and community partners.
Participate in quality improvement activities, including chart reviews, outcome monitoring, and grant data collection.
Support staff training and onboarding in trauma-informed care and program practices.
Document services in CDS and/or CCWIS within required timeframes.
Report suspected abuse or neglect and maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
Perform other duties as assigned.