Mental Health Clinical Practitioner

Heartland Human Care Services•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides direct clinical case management and counseling services within the SAFEty Programs. This position services Juvenile Justice and/or DCFS involved youth, ages 12 – 18, who reside in shelter/residential programs. This participant population is affected by trauma, may experience mental health concerns, may display significant behavioral concerns and may require crisis intervention. As this position is within a residential program, the employee may be required to remain on Organization premises during break and/or meal periods.

Requirements

Master’s degree (M.A.) in social work, counseling or clinical psychology.
One (1) year of clinical practice experience in either a social service agency, residential treatment facility or mental health service setting providing clinical case management and individual/group counseling.
Eligible to become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) within one year of hire.
Displays a clear understanding of mental health treatment and assessments including familiarity with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Therapy, Milieu Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing; Displays a clear ability to support participants in competency building to utilize regulatory skills to manage emotions and behavioral presentation; Pursues professional development opportunities; Participates in Clinical Supervision to staff cases and ensure treatment plans are relevant and effective; Maintains or pursues professional licensure.
Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fraction sand decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent.
Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Responsibilities

Provides services to participants through a short-term clinical care philosophy.
Establishes and maintains therapeutic and professional relationships with participants to facilitate the receipt of services.
Receives case assignments through a supervisor of the Clinical Services Department.
Provides individual counseling sessions in accordance with the compliance standards of the Funder to address trauma experience management, regulatory skill development, and presenting behavioral or mental health concerns.
Provides group counseling sessions in accordance with the compliance standards of the Funder.
Provides family counseling sessions, as needed/requested, under the supervision of the assigned Clinical Supervisor.
Develops, implements and reviews Clinical Service Plans, which outline a specific clinical treatment plan, interventions and SMART goals for each participant, under the regular supervision of the assigned Clinical Supervisor.
Accurately completes clinical case management documentation and CMS data entry information within the compliance time frame.
Makes referrals in accordance with service plans to other Heartland Human Care Services programs/partners and external providers.
Conducts Mental Health Assessments for significant concerns including Mental Health Disorders, Suicidal Ideation, Self-Harm, Substance Use, Elopement Risk, and Developmental/Cognitive Functioning under the supervision of their assigned Clinical Supervisor.
Following a Mental Health Assessment: completes necessary Safety Planning Documentation, Behavioral Management or Incentive Plans, Observation Logs, and/or provides recommendations regarding referrals for Psychiatry Services.
Provides preparatory support, obtains consent forms, and supports during Psychiatry Service appointments.
Consults with the assigned Psychiatric Service Provider regarding treatment plan, treatment interventions that will best support the participant, and assessment of symptomology and/or side effects the participant may experience.
Communicates with participant’s Guardian and/or Case Worker(s) regarding mental health service provision, treatments, and prescribed/recommended psychotropic medication.
Provides Crisis Intervention support utilizing trained CPI techniques and co-regulation skillset.
Develops, monitors and enhances professional relationships with all external and internal stakeholders.
Works cooperatively with Senior Case Managers, Family Support Specialists, Youth Care Workers, Program Management, and all other Youth Residential Services (YRS)program staff to maximize in program/milieu support and service outcomes.
Utilizes Milieu Therapy framework to develop competencies of participants in the milieu, support during crisis interventions, and provide clinical support during behavioral management incidents.
At times, may provide milieu support due to coverage/staffing ratios, as directed by a supervising staff member the of Clinical Services Department.
Participates in program and operational planning.
Participates and contributes to regular supervision meetings, team meetings, Multidisciplinary Staffing, training sessions and conferences.
Attends a minimum of 15 hours of professional development or educational trainings per fiscal year.
Adheres to professional standards as outlined by governmental bodies, NASW (and/or other appropriate professional associations), private funding sources, Organization plans/policies and Unit guidelines. Participates in periodic evaluative reviews and/or in-house and external staff training to ensure that he/she understands and continues to adhere to such standards. Initiates requests for assistance from Supervisor to address new issues or complex concepts affecting adherence to professional standards.
Other duties may be assigned.