Clinical Services Program Director in Washington, District of Columbia at The District of Columbia Childrens Advocacy Center

Summary:

The Clinical Services Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the Clinical Services Program (CSP), including expanding access to trauma-informed mental health services and strengthening community partnerships and referral pathways. The position oversees the day-to-day operations of the Clinical Services Program, including clinical supervision, oversight of, and quality assurance for, the provision of trauma-focused mental health interventions for child victims, their siblings, and non-offending caregivers. The Director also serves as a key clinical consultant to the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and collaborates with investigative and community partners to support coordinated, child-centered responses to child sexual and physical abuse cases.

The incumbent is required to participate in the on-call rotation for after-hours and weekend support for forensic interviews. This role is accountable to guide and advance the mission of the organization in all ways and to contribute to creating and maintaining a positive, productive, and constructive working environment.

This position requires mandatory reporting for child abuse and neglect under the District of Columbia Statute § 4-1321.02.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Clinical Leadership & Direct Service Provision

• Conduct therapeutic sessions with children, adolescents, and parents, potentially carrying a small ongoing caseload as needed.
• Conduct psycho-social assessments to identify strengths, needs, and appropriate interventions; develop case goals and document progress; conduct pre- and post-tests with clients.
• Develop, implement, and monitor documentation standards for clinical case notes to ensure compliance with therapeutic best practices, licensure standards, and Safe Shores’ requirements.
• Respond to crisis situations with clients and identify/plan with staff regarding secondary trauma issues.
• Provide non-offending family members with clinical consultation, caregiver education, and therapeutic referrals.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on child development and trauma-focused clinical practices.
• Provide strategic leadership for Caregiver Support Groups.

Supervision, Staff Development & Training

• Participate in the hiring and training of full-time and part-time staff and interns, when applicable;
• Provide individual supervision to therapists and interns; conduct quarterly and annual performance evaluations. Intern supervision may be delegated to other members of the CSP team, as appropriate;
• Develop and monitor yearly professional development plans with supervisees;
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development activities including supervision with the Deputy Director;
• With the Deputy Director, coordinate and participate in in-service training sessions on relevant topics, such as engaging clients, child development, problematic sexual behaviors, and secondary trauma;
• Cultivate and strengthen partnerships with educational institutions and professional networks to support clinical internship and workforce development pipeline initiatives;
• Monitor and ensure compliance with clinical licensure, continuing education, accreditation and professional credentialing requirements for clinical staff.

Program Management, Operations & Data Oversight

• Implement work plans for program area based on the organization’s overall strategic plan;
• Develop yearly service projections and program budget;
• Maintain and assure the integrity and accuracy of program data, statistics, and service provision and submit program reports and statistics as required;
• Ensure the quality and confidentiality of electronic and paper case files, and the appropriate use of program supplies and other inventory;
• Assign cases and track program caseloads;
• Provide oversight of referral process including upholding and documenting standards for acceptance.

Clinical Coordination, Case Management & MDT Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the organization’s Senior Management Team and participate in development projects as needed to build financially sustainable programs;
• Serve as member of multidisciplinary team (MDT), providing relevant information, case consultation, and therapeutically supporting victims during various phases of case progression (e.g., investigation, court preparation, prosecution);
• Represent the Clinical Services Program at MDT Case Reviews and share appropriate insight and information; collaborate in planning care and arranging services;
• Organize, coordinate, and conduct weekly clinical case review with clinical staff and bi-weekly case review with all program staff.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, and QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s or Doctorate degree (from an accredited institution) in psychology, social work, or related field;
• Current clinical license in the District of Columbia (LICSW, LPC, or licensed psychologist).
• Six (6) years of full-time work experience within a mental health/social service setting providing mental health services.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience supervising clinical staff and/or interns.
• Post-graduate training in trauma-focused interventions and modalities including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT).
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with diverse individuals and groups.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children and adolescents up to 17 years of age.
• Familiarity with and a disposition toward the MDT approach to the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with different theoretical and intervention models including developmental theories, attachment theories, crisis intervention theories, the dynamics of intra- and extra-familial child abuse, and the DSM-V.
• Demonstrated ability to testify effectively in civil and criminal proceedings.
• Superb interpersonal skills; high level of cultural competence.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to work independently.
• Ability to successfully pass Child Protection Registry clearance and criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications Experience working in a Children’s Advocacy Center setting, pediatric organization, or traumatic stress center. Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish. Knowledge of criminal investigative, social services and legal systems in the District of Columbia. Established partnerships or professional relationships within the region, including community, organization, and university partnerships.

Computer/Technology Skills

High level of comfort with technology and proficiency with MS Office applications and the internet.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to touch or feel a computer, keyboard, monitor, telephone, Smart Phone, and talk or hear when interacting with employees. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee may regularly lift and /or move 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. No or very limited exposure to physical risk.