Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Job Posting

Johnston County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Title: Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Johnston County DSS has an opening for a full-time Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The primary function of this specialized clinical position, situated within the Children's Services, is to provide clinical interventions to children, youth, and families engaged with the Department of Social Services. All services provided are brief outpatient services due to and referrals are made by DSS staff. The Clinical Team does not take community-based referrals. This position reports directly to the Clinical Social Work Supervisor for clinical oversight monthly. Additionally, group supervision to staff critical cases with peers monthly.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key responsibilities encompass:

• Directing, coordinating, and delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed outpatient therapy to clients, ranging from 2 years of age up to foster youth 21 years old, as well as adult caregivers.
• Conducting thorough clinical assessments, diagnosing mental health and/or substance use disorders, and formulating appropriate treatment recommendations and referrals.
• Serving as a principal clinician in the completion of comprehensive clinical assessments for children placed in DSS custody to ascertain specific needs and determine suitable treatment protocols.
• Utilizing evidenced-based treatment approaches such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Mindfulness and Play Therapy.
• Engaging in collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders, including child welfare personnel, court staff, Guardian ad Litem representatives, law enforcement agencies, and school officials.
• Intervening therapeutically with Johnston County DSS foster parents to enhance placement stability, facilitate the connection of children to community resources, provide psychoeducation on trauma, and offer assistance with new placements and the reunification and or adoption process.
• Delivering clinical services to adults and youth navigating complex family dynamics such as domestic violence, mental illness, substance use, physical abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse.
• Participating actively in clinical staff meetings, Child & Family Team (CFT), IEP and various multi-disciplinary meetings, both within the agency and the broader community.
• Monitoring of customer progress and clinical documentation and overall accuracy of the clinical chart.
• Provide training for agency staff in specific areas of expertise having to do with trauma, stress, compassion fatigue, substance abuse, and other specific mental health diagnosis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices, and their application to complex casework, group work, and community problems.
• Considerable knowledge of a wide range of behavior and psychosocial problems and their diagnosis and treatment.
• Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics, a range of intervention techniques, governmental and private organizations, resources in the community, laws, regulations, and policies which govern the program, methods and principles of casework supervision and training.
• In certain settings, considerable knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes and their treatment as they relate to decisions regarding clinical interventions and appropriate therapies based on medical or psychological diagnosis.
• Skill in establishing rapport with a client and in applying techniques or assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of client problems.
• Ability to supervise, train, or instruct lower-level social workers, students, or interns in the program; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of case load and their families as well as civic, legal, medical, social, and religious organizations.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively.

Desired Knowledge & Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of a wide range of behavior and psychosocial problems and their diagnosis and treatment.
• Thorough knowledge of family and group dynamics.
• Thorough knowledge of a range of intervention techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community.
• Thorough knowledge of Alcohol and Drug Abuse/Use assessment and treatment modalities.
• General knowledge of the laws, regulations, and policies which govern the program.
• Considerable knowledge of disease path physiologies in order to explain/present treatment alternatives to patients and families is required.
• In certain settings, considerable knowledge of medical terminology, drugs, disease processes, and their treatment as they relate to decisions regarding clinical interventions and appropriate therapies based on medical or psychological diagnosis.
• Skill in establishing rapport with a possible reluctant, angry client.
• Skill in applying techniques for assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of client problems.
• Ability to supervise, train, or instruct lower-level social workers, students, or interns in the program.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of case load and their families as well as civic, legal, medical, social, and religious organizations.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely.
• Ability to plan and execute work effectively with clear person-centered plans and goals.
• Ability to document, revise and present written assessments and reports that may be subpoenaed to court.

Desired Education and Experience

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Master's degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of supervised social work experience as required by the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board. Necessary Special Qualification Requirements - One must fulfill all requirements for Licensure in North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as required by the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board.

Desired Education and Experience:

• Possession of a Master's degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution.
• A minimum of two years of supervised social work experience, as mandated by the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board.
• Licensure to practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is highly preferred.
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) rostered preferred.
• Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health training preferred
• Direct experience working with CPS/Foster Care involved families.
• Preference will be accorded to applicants demonstrating prior professional experience in Child Welfare Services.

Application Requirements:

• Internal applicants are required to submit an application via the online portal.
• A certified transcript and proof of licensure is required prior to being hired.
• It is imperative that all work history relevant to the position be comprehensively documented, as this information will influence the qualification determination and subsequent salary offer. Electronic applications cannot be modified following submission.

Note: Final candidates will be subject to a pre-employment drug screening and a comprehensive background investigation, including fingerprint, criminal and motor vehicle records checks.