Human Services Specialist II, Bilingual (Spanish/English) Clinical Case Manager

Human Services Specialist II

Bilingual (Spanish/English) Clinical Case Manager

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Human Services Specialist II position.

An Overview

The Human Service Specialist II will partner with high needs youth and their families, natural supports, and professional team in youth-led, family-driven, culturally relevant, and evidence-based behavioral health services. Assist youth at risk of serious emotional disturbance and their families in accessing needed medical, psychiatric, social, educational, vocational, and other supports essential to meeting basic needs. Identified youth are often referred by schools, human services agencies, or the court system and may be at risk of placement outside the home (i.e. foster care, psychiatric hospital, detention, or residential treatment) or be preparing for return to the community or may be aging into the adult behavioral health care system (transitional youth). The Bilingual Clinical Case Manager embraces System of Care values in effort to prevent out of home placement and is committed to racial equity and strives to ensure services are responsive to the impact of generational trauma. Services are provided in schools, homes, a community mental health center and virtually. Tasks are performed in accordance with established policies and procedures.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate should have ability to work effectively with youth who have emotional, behavioral and/or substance use problems and their families; Knowledge of the theories, principles and issues surrounding child and adolescent growth and development; Knowledge of community services including but not limited to medical, mental health, legal, social and supplemental services; Skills in advocacy and interagency collaboration; Skills in engaging, building and maintaining relationships with diverse populations; Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

The Opportunity

• Develop a supportive relationship with youth and families;

• Provide assessment and planning services, to include developing an Individual Service Plan;

• Partner with families and youth to build skills, advocate for needs, expand natural supports, and navigate the system of services to promote the service plan;

• Provide youth and families with assessment, education and counseling that promotes the service plan;

• Link youth and families directly to services and supports specified in the treatment/services plan;

• Assist youth and families directly for the purpose of locating, developing or obtaining needed service and resources;

• Coordinate services and service planning with other agencies and providers involved with the individual, e.g., FAPT, schools, child welfare, the juvenile court system, etc.;

• Enhance community integration by contacting other entities to arrange community access and involvement, including opportunities to learn social skills, and use youth development, vocational, civic, and recreational services;

• Provide a variety of auxiliary services in support of service plan, i.e., attend psychiatric appointments with family, supervise therapeutic visits between parent and child, transport youths and families when other resources are not available, obtain records in support of treatment plan, and provide testimony in court cases;

• Follow up and monitor to assess ongoing progress and to ensure services are delivered;

• Provide range of intake related services, i.e. engage families in administrative intake, provide interpretation when other resources are not immediately available, triage intake calls, provide regular outreach and resource linkage with families who are waiting for treatment appointments;

• Maintain electronic medical records in accordance with accreditation body, Department policies, licensing and Medicaid regulations;

• Follow department policies and procedures, including those related to productivity expectations, client payment issues and training;

• Perform related work as required.

About the Department

The Center for Children and Families (CCF) provides programs and services for Behavioral Health, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Child Welfare & Child Protective Services, Early Childhood and Youth Development. CCF provides compassionate, collaborative and effective person and family-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety, recovery and resiliency for Alexandria children and all residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in psychology, social services, public health, guidance, or a related field; three years of experience in the provision of mental health and/or substance abuse treatment services, including some experience at the level of Caseworker; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the State of their residence.

Preferred Qualifications

Fluent and bilingual in English and Spanish to meet the needs of population served; Meet criteria to become a Qualified Mental Health Professional-Child (QMHP-C) for billing purposes; A Bachelor's Degree in a human services field or in special education from an accredited college; At least one year of clinical experience providing direct services to children and adolescents; At least one year of experience providing case management services such as coordination of services, supportive counseling, assessment and advocacy; At least one of experience engaging community resources, including but not limited to medical, mental health, legal, educational social and supplemental services; At least one year of experience with electronic health records.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: Criminal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; Verification of education/certifications; Drug screening; and Driver's license.

Schedule:

Monday through Friday, some evening hours.