Bilingual Sanctuary Group Counseling Clinician/Director

POSITION:  Bilingual Sanctuary Group Counseling Clinician/Director – Emergency Sanctuary Facilities Program

REPORTS TO:  Assistant Executive Director for Residential Services 

CLASSIFICATION:  Full Time

EXEMPT/NONEXEMPT:  Exempt

RATE: $60,000 per annum

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Lutheran Emergency Sanctuary Facilities Program is a 24-hour program that serves asylum-seeking migrants. Fortitude House, at 1668 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY, shelters up to 84 families. Vanguard House, at 29-27 40th Road, Long Island City, NY, shelters up to 143 families. The Group Counseling Clinician/Director is responsible for the direct psychosocial support, therapeutic interventions, and administrative oversight of social work interns at both facilities.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include:

• Represents Lutheran Social Services of New York’s mission, values and ethics; upholds agency Code of Conduct; and ensures adherence to agency policy and procedures by clinical staff.

• Works to reduce culturally-rooted mental health stigma by normalizing group counseling and non-traditional therapeutic models of care for asylum-seeking children and families.

• Provides weekly individual group counseling to facilities and ongoing crisis intervention as needed.

• Coordinates clinical services for talk therapy, group counseling, family therapy, art/music therapy and other non-traditional interventions

• Develops group counseling as needed.

• Participates in weekly team meetings to provide mental health and educational updates.

• Revise and edit clinical staff progress notes and reports 

• Regularly assesses the safety and well-being of all residents of the facilities.

• Ensures quality and excellence in service provision.

• Participates in a rotating on-call schedule with management team members 

• Regularly assesses the safety and well-being of all clients being served

• Establishes and maintains therapeutic relationships with clients, maintaining professional boundaries and a non-judgmental, unbiased approach.

• Conducts psychosocial assessments of clients.

• Assists residents and their families in navigating disruptive mental health challenges to meet their needs. 

• Manages two or more ongoing groups; tracks client participation.

• Conducts intake interviews for new residents, completing assessments and paperwork in line with program and funder standards.

• Maintains client records as “audit-ready” at all times. This includes, but is not limited to, recording progress notes, constructing service plans, updating medical and mental health information, and completing psychosocial assessments.

• Advocates for safe, effective, client-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable mental health care to promote independence.

• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal rules and regulations, as well as funder’s requirements.

• Become certified to facilitate trainings in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) for all Safe Haven employees

• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISES:

• Social Work Interns

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited university; OR

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science in which clinical experience is a program requirement.

• Must be licensed to provide clinical services in the State of New York (e.g., LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, Licensed Behavioral Analyst, Licensed Arts Therapist).

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 2 years of post-master’s experience providing direct services to immigrant young persons.

• Must have supervisory experience. 

• Knowledgeable about psychotropic medications and familiar with medication risks and side effects

• Strong mental health background; highly knowledgeable about mental health diagnoses

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Bilingual in Spanish and English

• Excellent speaking, listening, and writing skills

• Ability to establish a systematic course of action to accomplish specific objectives, determine priorities and allocate time and resources effectively

• Ability to develop and manage social work interns

• Ability to effectively meet and communicate face-to-face with Program stakeholders

• Detail oriented

• Strong interest in working with asylum-seekers 

• Strong clinical, communication and presentation skills

• Superior organizational skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Experience and facility with Microsoft Office Applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel