Job Information: Counselor Job

Job Title : Counselor

Reports To : Program Manager

Department : Supervised Visitation Services (SVS)

I. Summary of Position - Provides supervised visitation for parents and their children who have been placed in foster care to decrease the amount of time children spend in out of home placement and move families toward permanent placement process, either with their biological family or in an adoptive home. Assures departmental goals and/or objectives are accomplished within prescribed time frames by performing the job responsibilities personally. Jobs are always changing to some degree and the existence of the approved job description is not intended to limit normal change and growth.

Agency reserves the right to change Employee’s department and/or assignments based on needs and funding.

II. Performance Responsibilities - The following listing applies to every employee of CarePlus New Jersey:

Works toward accomplishing and adheres to department/Agency goals, ethical standards and the laws and regulations which govern the overall mental and healthcare industries
Maintains confidentiality and immediately reports to management breaches in confidentiality
Practices job requirements on an accurate, timely and regular basis
Observes and maintains appropriate professional boundaries with clients, co-workers and supervisors
Attends all scheduled meetings as assigned
Meets relevant continuing educational/training requirements
Completes all required documentation/paperwork accurately and within established time-frames
Accurately and on a timely basis completes tasks required by the Agency’s time collection system
Fulfills all CPNJ mandatory requirements, as required by CPNJ
Knowledgeable of, and practices the organization’s health and safety policies and procedures, including but not limited to fire safety and emergency preparedness, infection control procedures and incident reporting

III. Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Includes the following and other duties may be assigned:

Communicates information, including the identification and communication of problems / issues with appropriate team and management staff, in a timely manner and positively engages in effective problem-solving, as assessed through supervisory observation
Evaluates and assesses ongoing implementation of services relating to families’ goals and needs
Accountable for guiding families through the reunification process, including participating in ongoing meeting with the biological parents as well as with the foster parent/caregiver and child(ren), attending monthly Reunification Case Planning Team Meetings
Provides weekly supervised visitation sessions, offers parent support and psycho-education, identifies goals and developing service plans
Conducts ongoing risk assessments, refers and coordinates services, monitors compliance of the service plan and participation in services
Documents progress and recommends additional services and ultimate reunification
Establishes a trusting relationship with families through initiating and maintaining regular contact
Responsible for engaging caregivers, supporting them through the process, promoting advocacy skills, and proving linkage referrals, as needed
Maintains positive relationships will all collateral service providers and community partners, included but not limited to; Division of Child Protection and Permanency case workers, substance abuse counselors, therapists, foster parents, and extended family members
Communicates, orally and in writing, with DCPP and collateral providers
Responsible for making initial telephone contact to biological parents and foster parents within 24 hours of receipt of referral
Clearly explains Visitation Program requirements and processes for biological parents and caregivers
Builds positive rapport with family members and provide support as needed via telephone contact and scheduled meetings and visitation
Conducts risk assessments at intake and ongoing to determine children’s risk of abuse/neglect
Creates flexible visitation schedule with families that are most convenient for parents and children
Follows appropriate admission procedures
Coordinates each session including, but not limited to: accepting daily confirmations, calling each foster parent, arranging transportation and informing biological/ foster families and DCPP workers of significant events or changes
Provides a safe and welcoming environment for each visitation session
Schedules and attends Case Planning, Team Meetings as well as additional meetings with biological parents, foster parents, extended family, and collateral providers, as needed
Plans for appropriate therapeutic activities that support the parent/child relationship and offers parents opportunities to learn and practice new skills
Supervises interaction between families and/or siblings
Appropriately addresses parenting, grief and separation issues
Facilitates and participates in educational/supportive group discussions with clients and/or family members focused on issues related to parenting, communication, foster care placement, transition and reunification
Documents assessments, service plans, progress reports and discharge summaries in the record, with all entries authenticated and time/dated
communicates and documents discharge/aftercare/ transfer plans for clients completing the program
Explores potential community resources to meet families’ needs and facilitate linkage when appropriate based on the service plan
Provides roundtrip transportation for client’s utilizing agency vehicles.
When applicable, utilizes personal vehicle to attend off sites trainings/meetings

IX. 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

______________________________________________________________________________________


� Click here for technical assistance.