Clinical Director

Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc. dba Upbring
Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.
Clinical Director
US-TX-Austin
Job ID: 2024-6270
Type: Regular Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Foster Care & Adoption
Upbring
Overview

About Upbring

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.

About our Foster in Texas (FIT) Program

Upbring Foster In Texas is one of the largest providers of foster care and adoption services in Texas with 13 offices across the state. In 2021 we served 1,176 children, verified 140 new families, and connected 113 children with loving adoptive families. The Upbring heroes on our foster care team connect children with families who provide compassion, safety and support, and when needed, loving forever families.

What You'll Do

The Clinical Director is responsible for the overall operations, administration, management, and evaluation of all clinical services, education & training program and activities associated with Foster Care and Adoption. The Clinical Director is also responsible for the oversight, management and evaluation of the clinical treatment plans and services and ensuring they are designed, implemented, and managed in accordance with Agency and licensing standards and federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.

Responsibilities

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare

Work Standards

• Monitor and evaluate all clinical programs and services to ensure they are being provided in compliance with all licensing standards and regulatory requirements; regularly evaluate the quality of the programs
• Follow and participate in facility quality improvement efforts, such as foster care children, parents, and family satisfaction and clinical outcomes
• Design and develop treatment protocols that can advance foster care children, parents, and family care and needs and apply consistency throughout the program
• Monitor, evaluate and enhance training program staff to apply evidence-based research practices and interventions in curriculum development
• Research, develop and maintain training as necessary to meet family and staff needs as well as ensure they are implemented per licensing standards and state regulatory requirements
• Ensure resident treatment plans include clinical soundness, measurable objectives, and comply with established policies, procedures, licensing standards, and federal, state, and local regulatory agencies
• Participate in discharge planning for foster care children
• Oversee the coordination, implementation, and evaluation of treatment plans
• Other duties and projects as assigned

Communication

• Monitor metrics to ensure all program operations and outcomes are completed to meet accreditation standards
• Monitor and ensure all clinical and medical documentation requirements are being followed according to Agency policy and licensing and regulatory standards
• Keep accurate and up-to-date quantitative data on program services provided to foster care children and families
• Primary lead in preparation and presentation of clinical files, annual program reviews, appeals, etc., to third-party organization(s) i.e., Youth for Tomorrow (YFT)

Fiscal Management

• Demonstrate efforts to manage a budget within budget limits and constraints
• Using statistical data to provide monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports of clinical outcomes, personnel costs, operating costs, residential placement, and discharge
• Ability to apply costs to clinical and training programs/services and the return on investment in terms of program services

We Are Servants| We Help Others

Teamwork

• Serve as an advocate for foster care and adoption services by recommending program improvements and enhancements to meet the foster care children treatment plan goals
• Work closely with all clinical staff and the interdisciplinary team to develop, implement, and evaluate treatment plans
• Plan and coordinate a collaborative interdisciplinary team approach in managing clinical care and services for foster care children, parents, and families
• Participate as a member of the treatment team to design, develop, and implement new programs or clinical services
• Co-facilitate or facilitate support group sessions for foster care families
• Assist staff with conducting clinical assessments and evaluations
• Develop and maintain positive strong working relationships with the interdisciplinary and treatment teams foster children, foster parents and families, professional service providers, and community partners, while maintaining boundaries always

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Research and identify community relationships and partnerships to enhance or make available clinical services
• Meet with key stakeholders and community leaders to bring about awareness and provide community education
• Respond to escalated foster care children, parents, families, community partners, and professional service providers in a timely manner; establish grievance policy and procedures and promptly respond to filed grievances
• Provide psychoeducation for foster care children and families to address mental health needs
• Provide emergency evaluation for foster care children, parents, and families in crisis and facilitate referral to more intensive levels of treatment or alternative solutions that cannot be handled onsite
• Lead collaborative efforts and activities with the interdisciplinary and treatment teams, staff, and medical and non-medical providers to ensure all foster care children are receiving the quality of services needed to meet their individual treatment and behavior plans
• Work as team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
• Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community

Developing & Engaging Others

• Coach and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance, ensure established program goals and achieve operational excellence.
• Communicate with direct reports in periodic one-on-one meetings
• Organize and deliver regularly scheduled staff meetings to communicate present, on-going, and future updates of pertinent information, projects, and initiatives
• (combined into first bullet) Work closely with management team to interview, hire, and onboard new employees who are strong cultural fits for Upbring
• Work in collaboration with leadership and the Organizational Development and Culture Team to arrange training; when needed, coordinate and/or provide in-service training for staff development
• Regularly review employee performance, including goals and progress, to provide developmental feedback: use applicable agency development tools to facilitate growth and development in staff
• Draft and issue the 90-day and annual evaluations, along with supporting documentation, as per established procedures; work in collaboration with staff to set goals during evaluation periods

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field
• LMSW, LCSW, LMFT, or LPC -OR- 2 years direct individual and group counseling experience
• Child Placement Management Staff (CPMS)
• 2 years’ supervisory or management experience

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong clinical skills with the ability to manage all clinical aspects of program services and activities
• Ability to multi-task and accomplish multiple goals
• Strong and effective time management and organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines and balance competing priorities
• Ability to apply sound judgement when making decisions
• Demonstrated ability in managing all clinical aspects of the facility
• Strong people and interpersonal skills with the ability to work and interact with diverse groups of people and build strong working relationships
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate ideas and delegate tasks
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

• LMSW, LCSW, LMFT, or LPC -OR- 3 years’ direct individual and group counseling experience
• Licensed Child-Placing Agency Administrator
• 3 years supervisory or management experience

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more!
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services
• Discounted Gym Memberships

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 75 lbs

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging

We are a diverse and inclusive organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best to fulfill our mission to break the cycle of child abuse.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.

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