Bilingual License-Eligible Clinician

San Diego Youth Services seeks a Bilingual License-eligible Clinician in the Adoptions Program to be based in San Diego. This is a part-time, non-exempt position requiring 20 hours per week, reporting to the Program Manager.

San Diego Youth Services: Who we are

San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 834,000 homeless, runaway and vulnerable youth since its beginning in 1970. We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing to more than 16,000 youth every year at 100+ community and school locations. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, we also help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless.

We aim to:

1. Meet the basic needs of youth. Hunger, poverty and youth homelessness are on the rise for many youth and their families today. We help meet these basic needs for youth. What could be more vital than food and shelter? We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing.
2. Create positive connection. We help youth focus on positive life changes and healthy relationships as part of providing needed resources and services. San Diego Youth Services has long provided foster homes and adoption support services for families considering adopting a youth in the foster care system.
3. Help youth develop life skills. In addition to a range of safe and stable housing options, we offer support to help youth develop the independent living skills necessary to become self-sufficient and keep off the streets.
4. Promote overall health and well-being. Early intervention and care for the whole child are critical. We provide a broad continuum of services to help youth overcome trauma and challenges that put them at risk, including case management, counseling, mental health treatment and educational support and resources.

SDYS has a staff of approximately 250 employees and 80 volunteers working across San Diego County and an annual budget of approximately $24 million. 

You can learn more about us at  

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION:

Accountable to Program Manager. The Clinician is responsible for providing trauma-informed, attachment-based clinical services to youth and families involved in the adoption process. Services include individual, family, and in-home therapy; group facilitation; intake coordination; and participation in program-wide service delivery activities. The Clinician functions within an integrated, multidisciplinary team under the direction of the Program Manager and supports the agency’s mission of strengthening permanency and family stability for adoptive families. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of an integrated treatment approach for youth and families who are in the process of adoption or are adopted. Some family members may be diagnosed with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders.
• Assist in updating agency policies and procedures. Carry agency big-picture awareness and stay current on agency activities.
• Collect data and maintain contract compliance records as required.
• Provide clinical assessments, treatment planning, service coordination, and individual, family, and group therapy services for adoptive, pre-adoptive, relative, foster, and post-permanency families as assigned by the Program Manager.
• Clinical interventions shall be trauma-informed, attachment-focused, and designed to strengthen therapeutic parenting skills, family stability, and child well-being. Services may be provided in-home, on-site, virtually, in schools, or other appropriate community settings.
• Conduct program intake and program enrollment activities for new program referrals, including outreach, informed consent, screening, documentation, waitlist management, and coordination of services within required timelines.
• Coordinate placement of families into appropriate clinical services, support groups, and other program activities. Maintain and update required enrollment, consent, and participation documentation for both clinical and non-clinical participants.
• Assist in the creation and implementation of curricula and facilitate parent, youth, and family groups, workshops, and educational activities on topics including but not limited to attachment, therapeutic parenting, trauma, permanency, resiliency, and the core issues of adoption.
• Facilitate, co-facilitate, coordinate, and support groups, social skills groups, and other therapeutic or psychoeducational activities throughout the program's designated service regions, including North Region (North Coastal/North Inland), Central Region (Central/North Central), and East/South Region. Responsibilities include participant outreach, RSVP tracking, attendance monitoring, documentation, setup, cleanup, and follow-up communication as assigned.
• Participate in support group activities across all program regions and may serve as the primary coordinator for an assigned region, support group series, event, or program function as designated by the Program Manager. Regional assignments may be adjusted based on program needs, staffing capacity, participant demand, and contract requirements.
• Implement parent coaching techniques with families and support the training and development of staff, interns, and volunteers on evidence-based and attachment-focused practices.
• Conduct in-home and community-based services, provide school observations when clinically appropriate, and collaborate with schools and community partners to support treatment goals.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, wraparound meetings, school meetings, case consultations, and other collaborative planning activities as required.
• Assist in the development and facilitation of trainings, presentations, and educational opportunities related to adoption, trauma, attachment, permanency, and therapeutic parenting for families, staff, interns, and community partners.
• Participate in monthly staff meetings, and other required program/agency meetings.
• Maintain a minimum of 20 hours of clinical-related training annually, including required cultural responsiveness and competency training.
• Follow all legal and ethical guidelines pertaining to the treatment of youth and families as required by state, county, licensing, and agency standards, including but not limited to Child Abuse Reporting, Duty to Warn, Confidentiality, Grievance Procedures, Informed Consent, and Serious Incident Reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SDYS EXPECTATIONS:

• Adhere to and uphold the rigorous standards of SDYS as mandated by its mission, purpose, guiding principles, and standards of quality.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy standards of service partner-protected health information and other applicable information and material in accordance with agency and center policies, and applicable regulations and laws including HIPAA.
• Welcome and support SDYS volunteers and assist them in accomplishing their services whenever applicable.
• Effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers.
• Maintain warm, welcoming and safe work environments.
• Possess flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, or related field required.
• License-eligible MSW, MFT, APCC or LCSW preferred.
• Bilingual Required- English/Spanish.
• Knowledge of case plan development and collaboration with multiple agencies and public entities.
• Must possess or be willing to develop a working knowledge of trauma-informed care and dual diagnosis treatment.
• Must be familiar with attachment and willing to develop a knowledge of adoption and permanency issues.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, as required to meet program and family needs.
• Must possess excellent oral and written skills; work well autonomously and with multiple people/disciplines.
• Must have a reliable vehicle, relevant auto insurance, a clean driving record, and willing to drive throughout San Diego County (mileage reimbursement available) to perform the essential functions of the position. Must maintain CPR and First Aid certification. Must pass clearances for working with youth, including TB test, drug test, and background check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described below are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Ability to remain seated for extended periods while conducting clinical sessions, documentation, meetings, and computer work.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout office, community, and other service environments.
• Ability to safely enter and exit a vehicle and travel independently between work locations and client appointments.
• Ability to use a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, or move materials and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to navigate stairs and other environmental conditions that may be encountered in community-based settings.
• Ability to respond appropriately to unexpected situations and move quickly enough to maintain personal and client safety when necessary.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Hourly Wage Range: $33.65- $35.58

To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on SDYS website.

SDYS offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees that includes generous PTO, personal holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, parental leave and a 403(b)-retirement plan with matching contribution. SDYS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

All are welcome at San Diego Youth Services.

As an organization working to meet the basic needs of youth, create positive connections, help youth develop life skills, and promote overall health and well-being, SDYS believes its practices and actions must reflect the highest level of commitment to access, equity, and social justice. 

The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our members invest in their work represents not only part of the SDYS’ culture, but the SDYS’ reputation and achievements as well. SDYS remains open to feedback from all communities it touches and knows that input from those with direct experience of issues will make the SDYS more effective in achieving its goals.

SDYS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. In compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended, all new employees must verify their eligibility to work in the United States.

SDYS is proud to be a Kindness Certified company.

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