Job Description

The Parenting Specialist position is a trauma-responsive, hope-centered role responsible for supporting the vision of an integrated Therapeutic Services program. This includes delivering direct educational services to adult caregivers under the supervision of a licensed therapist within the Therapeutic Services program. In addition to those responsibilities, the position may also engage in community educational training and advocacy efforts to promote prevention of recurrence of child abuse and neglect.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Facilitate approximately 3-4 protective parenting groups per week on an ongoing basis. Groupsmay take place in-office,via telehealth or at a pre-approved, alternative community location. In addition, individual parenting education sessions will be facilitated for clients that miss a group.
2. Must be able to work at least 2 evenings per week until 8pm to accommodate client/caregiver needs, including protective parenting groups.
3. Prepare and submit mid-group reports (when requested) and end-of-group reports for review/approval by Therapeutic Services Program Manager.
4. Facilitate up to 4 protective parenting group intakes assessments per week at varying days/times based on client needs.
5. Facilitate parent/family education/support sessions as appropriate, utilizing best practice techniques and agency-approved techniques from a trauma-responsive and infant/early childhood mental health informed perspective.
6. Strong written and verbal communication skills with clear, concise, accurate language and the ability to adapt communication style to suit different audiences.
7. Interface with internal and external systems that impact the social, emotional and mental health of infants, children and families (OHS Child Welfare, Juvenile court system, school, physicians/pediatricians, and other service providers) in an effort to collaborate, communicate and coordinate care, as well as to facilitate professional development and advocate for prevention of child abuse and neglect.
8. Maintain accurate client case records and complete documentation within 48 hours from time of service to meet COA requirements.
9. Assist with case management tasks (advocacy, linkage and referrals) to support client care (following up with OHS child welfare, client engagement/check-in calls, etc.)
10. Engage in ongoing professional learning opportunities such as formalized training, workshops/conferences, supervision, and self-study to facilitate professional growth and development, particularly in the areas of I/ECMH and trauma.
11. Have a good understanding of reflective supervision/consultation, vicarious trauma and how to consistently incorporate self-care strategies to manage exposure to challenging clients, difficult and traumatic client experiences, and mitigate effects of stress, vicarious trauma, and burnout.
12. The Bilingual Parenting Specialist must be able to provide services in English and Spanish to meet the needs of children and families served. The Bilingual Parenting Specialist will also assist, as needed, with interpretation and translation of program materials, client communication, and other agency information to support equitable access for Spanish-speaking families.
13. Participates in Performance & Quality Improvement initiatives that promote and support accrediting body standards within the agency and within the Therapeutic Services program.
14. Assist with other duties assigned for the efficient operation of the agency or program.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, social work, or other related mental health field.
2. Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish fluently.
3. Displays a basic working knowledge of family systems, trauma, and attachment theory and treatment strategies for both children and adults.
4. Commitment to professional growth / development.
5. Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and get up and down from floor setting to engage in play therapy as needed. Ability to sit for extended time periods to complete computer work.
6. Good computer skills (excel, word, google forms, telehealth platforms); good organization and assessment skills; strong ability to utilize program technology in an efficient manner such as typing to enter client documentation in electronic health record within agency standard, entering assessment data, recording client sessions, etc.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Oklahoma Association for Infant Mental Health Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Based Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health, Infant Mental Health Specialist (IMH-E).
2. Specialized training or work experience related to trauma, child welfare, domestic violence, substance abuse and/or poverty.
3. Certified Oklahoma Case Manager.