Job Description:
The Community Support Team (CST) through Kinark is a treatment-focused, community based program for Justice involved youth who have been ordered to receive counselling as a condition of their probation. The program is designed to deliver services appropriate for youth with mental health concerns who need therapeutic support. Evidence-based counselling is targeted to the youth’s level of functioning and specific clinical and criminogenic needs. In addition, this program addresses community needs and works with families when possible or warranted.
This Clinical Therapist position involves regular and consistent travel to meet clients in their communities (throughout Simcoe County and York Region) and is home-based for administrative tasks. The successful candidate will be compensated for their travel (i.e., time and mileage). This role is also eligible for the compressed work week program upon successful completion of probationary period.
Job Summary:
The Clinical Therapist is an integral part of a busy, dynamic and growing clinical community-based youth justice program at Kinark Child and Family Services. We currently have one (1) vacancy in our Community Support Team Program. As a member of an interdisciplinary team, the Clinical Therapist will be required to liaise with internal and external collaterals (such as probation officers) in the provision of clinical services. The Clinical Therapist will be responsible for completing comprehensive clinical assessments and developing individualized treatment plans, followed by the provision of recommended treatment that includes individual therapy and family support to high risk and complex needs youth and their families in the community.
Salary range: $38.19/hr CAD - $42.12/hr CAD (Compensation is negotiable and will be determined based on the successful candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications.)
Duties and Responsibilities (included but not limited to):
- Complete an initial comprehensive assessment, considering the multiple layers and interacting mental health issues, criminogenic risks and needs, concurrent substance use issues, and neurodevelopmental and medical conditions.
- Conduct risk assessments and develop safety plans.
- Utilize commitment strategies to obtain commitment to therapeutic engagement while assessing client readiness and stage(s) of change.
- Complete a comprehensive formulation and treatment plan as a foundation for treatment with input from collateral sources and the interdisciplinary team.
- Modify treatment activities and approaches as needed in order to comply with changes in clients’ status.
- Provide interventions with clinical outcomes to be achieved through the application of evidence-based practices with ongoing monitoring of the impact of service(s).
- Focus on the youth’s potential for developing and sustaining pro-social coping skills which include increased self regulation of mental health symptoms and related behaviors (e.g., substance use, conflict management, anger management).
- Self-monitor the completion of progress/contact notes describing each client contact and how that contact relates to treatment goals and adherence to policy.
- Collaborate with other members of the treatment team and participate in interagency team meetings.
- Clinical services are being delivered via a hybrid approach which includes a combination of virtual phone and/or video and in-person services.
Qualifications:
- A Master’s degree in Social Work or a health-related discipline with a minimum of three years relevant experience is preferred.**
- Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or relevant field/discipline with extensive and relevant experience will also be considered.**
- Must be registered and in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers as a Social Worker or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
- Must be eligible and able to perform psychotherapy as defined under the act.
- Excellent clinical assessment, formulation, and treatment planning skills is essential.
- Training and/or experience in Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy will be considered assets.
- Experience with providing a broad range of clinical services and demonstrated effective work with an adolescent population, particularly a youth justice population, who present a variety of clinically challenging issues.
- Training and experience in working with families in a clinical context will also be considered an asset.
- Computer competency and experience working with diverse cultures are considered assets for this position.
- As travel is required for this position and will cover the regions of York and Simcoe counties, the successful candidate must have a valid Ontario drivers license, access to a reliable vehicle, and be willing to obtain automobile insurance which includes driving for business purposes with a minimum liability of $1,000,000.
- Candidates with language, ethnic, or cultural diversity would be given special consideration given the population we are serving.
