Trauma - Focused Clinician

Job Category: Clinical Services

Job Status: Full-time

Reports to: President of Clinical Services

Job Summary: The Trauma Focused Clinician provides an advanced level of clinical knowledge and leadership within the Trauma Informed Care Initiative and interdisciplinary team within the Clinical Services Program and FAC programs/departments. Provides strengths-based, evidenced-based services in a trauma sensitive manner to support the overall (personal, emotional, and social) well-being of FAC youth and families. Serves as an advocate for identified youth and families, responding in a culturally responsive, strength-based manner to meet their socio-emotional needs.

FosterAdopt Connect (FAC) works with children, youth, and families as they navigate the complexities of the child welfare system. With the help of innovative leadership, we are a dedicated, professional staff with a history of over 25 years of experience working in the Kansas and Missouri foster care systems. This progressive organization is equipped to connect children with families that provide a safe, stable environment for a brighter, successful future for foster and adoptive children.

Be part of a diverse, inclusive, exciting team! Join us in changing the lives of foster children, one family at a time.

Responsibilities - Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide trauma-specific therapeutic support to youth and families to foster resilience; demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to meet physical, psychosocial, educational, and safety needs of youth served.
• Provide evidenced and strengths-based, culturally-responsive clinical interventions, and conflict resolution to youth and their families.
• Provide brief crisis intervention, risk assessment, short-term stabilization services, safety planning, and coordination of additional mental health services as deemed appropriate.
• Actively participate as a member of the Treatment Team, providing therapeutic coaching and guidance, and consulting on the use of trauma-sensitive strategies as needed.
• Present / Arrange for staff professional development regarding trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, risk screenings, substance prevention, bullying and other behavioral health related topics as needed to support the FAC staff, youth, and families.
• Collaborate with FAC and community-based treatment team to provide referrals to social service agencies for youth and families as needed; staying informed of available trauma-informed community resources and contacts.
• Maintain accurate documentation and records as required by FAC and State.
• Abide by all local, state, and federal statutes and/or laws/policies associated with relevant licensing boards or credentialing organizations.
• Identify areas for self-improvement, pursue necessary education/training resources, stay abreast of current research, and share knowledge with others

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or above in counseling, psychology, social work, family therapy or closely related field.
• Fully licensed in MO as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT); or eligible for reciprocity.  
• Minimum of 3 years’ post-licensure experience in providing therapy with youth and families with a high prevalence of trauma.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of the theory and practice of mental health assessment / treatment and have basic research skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required, as is the ability to function as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate good independent judgment, flexibility and adaptability to shift to a wide range of cultures, people, and changing duties in a high-paced environment.
• Model ethical and professional behavior at all times.
• The ability to collaborate and advocate for positive outcomes, using excellent interpersonal skills in multi- disciplinary, diverse, and dynamic professional teams.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, team management, and interpersonal skills. Must have the ability to quickly establish rapport and build trust.
• Flexible and a self-starter; able to multi-task while also being highly detail-oriented in meeting all requirements and deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and passion for working with teenagers and older youth.
• Kansas Licensure if reciprocity for MO can occur within a reasonable timeframe.
• Knowledge and experience of providing trauma-sensitive services, and an understanding of how trauma impacts the students and other systems.
• Certification in Evidenced-Based therapeutic modalities to treat trauma (ie. EMDR, NMT, TFCBT)
• Multi-cultural and bi-lingual, based on youth and family population – practice cultural humility.