Director of Clinical Services

The Dallas Children's Advocacy Center is seeking an experienced Director of Clinical Services for our therapeutic clinical department. 

General Description:  Under the direct supervision of the Senior Director of Therapeutic Services, the Director of Clinical Services oversees the operations, long-term management, planning, and development of the Clinical Services Department. As such, they will ensure that DCAC provides accessible, evidence-based trauma services that promote the best client outcomes for children and families affected by abuse and trauma.

Directly supervises:

• Assistant Clinical Directors & Lead Therapist Supervisors (3 Total)
• PSB (Problematic Sexual Behavior) Coordinator
• Lead Therapist – Intern and Training

ABOUT DCAC: The mission of the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center is to improve the lives of abused children in Dallas County and to provide national leadership on child abuse issues. DCAC is a non-profit organization and the only agency of its kind in Dallas County, working in agreement with public and private agencies to investigate, prosecute, and provide healing services for child abuse cases in Dallas County.

We reduce the victimization of the child, remove barriers to investigation and treatment, and enhance criminal prosecution with our distinctive multidisciplinary and united approach to these complex and severe cases, all at no cost to our clients. Each year, DCAC serves over 13,000 children and their non-offending family members.

We are a national and international leader in the Children's Advocacy Center movement, recognized for our expertise in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of child abuse cases; cutting-edge clinical services and programs for the victims and their non-offending family members; and our community and professional training programs.

Everyone involved in DCACs work shares a common set of core values:

• We are child-centered, family focused and community driven.
• We act with dignity and compassion in all that we do.
• We recognize our staff as our greatest asset.
• We operate as a seamless team.  

In 2018, DCAC was named a Best Place to Work by Dallas Business Journal

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversees the long-term growth, development, management, and outcomes of the Clinical Services Team. Ensures clinical staff follows best practices regarding the use of standardized assessments, treatment planning, evidence-based treatment, and documentation. This is accomplished through the supervision of Assistant Directors and Lead Therapists and through the utilization of data to support departmental decisions.  

Program Operations:

• Oversees the management of the day-to-day process of Clinical Services
• Ensures trauma-informed, evidence-based treatment modalities are implemented to fidelity and stays current on relevant literature, research, and trends.
• Updates Mental Health Policy and Procedures Manual in accordance with best practices to ensure ethical, confidential, and the best clinical care for children and families; serves as the clinical expert regarding agency clinical services, policies, and procedures; ensures all clinical services are HIPAA-compliant.
• Responsible for department budgeting and forecasting according to DCAC policies and procedures.
• Assists in the maintenance of the client database to ensure accurate reporting of MDT (multi-disciplinary team) activities and user error issues so that outputs can be accurately measured.
• Utilizes data to measure client outcomes, which drives departmental growth or change. This is through collaboration with the Performance Outcomes team as well as through DCAC’s partnership with SMU.
• Participates in the research and evaluation provisions through partnership with SMU
• Develops, implements, and maintains standardized program processes and procedures that ensure services are free of barriers for children who qualify for services at DCAC.

Compliance:

• Responsible for compliance with CACTX Texas Standards for CAC Clinical Services departments, NCA accreditation standards, and Texas Family Code and Administrative codes.
• Participates in the revision of the DCAC MDT Investigative Protocol and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Meets with clinical services leadership team weekly/bi-weekly to monitor team progress and services; provides DCAC policy updates as needed.
• Meets with fellow program Directors to ensure a full continuum of services for eligible clients through process alignment and collaboration. 
• Facilitates weekly team meetings.
• Handles and resolves department complaints, concerns, and policy issues.
• Manages annual performance evaluation and goals for direct reports and oversees entire clinical services performance evaluation and goals to ensure consistency as well as alignment with agency’s strategic plan.
• Develops departmental short- and long-term goals and objectives that align with the agency’s strategic plan.
• Oversees interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of new Clinical Services staff.
• Oversees the master’s level practicum and internship program through the supervision of the Lead Therapist – Intern and Training
• Oversees the management and ensures the longevity of the Problematic Sexual Behavior – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT) program through the supervision of the PSB Coordinator
• Provides consultation and regular communication with internal and external stakeholders including Child Protective Investigations, law enforcement, District Attorney’s Office, Children's Hospital, and other social service agencies directly involved with DCAC services.
• Regularly participates in multi-disciplinary case staffing and special staffings to offer clinical expertise.
• Evaluates feedback from participants and partners to assess effectiveness and implement changes or improvements needed.
• Fosters effective teamwork between your program staff and staff in other DCAC programs.
• Serve as part of the DCAC expert witness team for the Dallas County DAs.

Training

• Ensures Clinical Services staff receive the necessary ongoing training to comply with CACTX standards.
• Oversee the coordination of training to prepare clinical services staff for court testimony as a fact/expert witness.
• Represents the organization on a local, state, and national level by presenting at conferences and participating as a member of task forces/planning committees in the field.
• Supports staff wellness through CE-CERT (Components for Enhancing Career Experience and Reducing Trauma) and debriefing.

Other Duties:

• Keeps abreast of trends and developments in the field and demonstrates a commitment to professional development activities both individually and for the mental health team.
• As needed, works closely with the Advancement team (Development and Marketing) to support any funding opportunities around program development and or maintenance.
• Attends and participates in monthly supervisory meetings.
• Attends and participates in check-in meetings with Sr. Director of Therapeutic Services.
• Attends monthly employee staff meetings.
• Attends and participates and/or assists with the Crimes Against Children Conference.
• Completes agency-related compliance courses.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Management Experience: Master's degree (M.S.) or Ph.D. in Counseling, Social Work, or related field and 3-5 years’ program management, program development, and clinical supervision experience in a social service setting is required. 

Experience: Experience with child abuse interventions, CPS, Law Enforcement and District Attorneys is preferred. Prior qualification/designation as an expert witness and experience in providing court testimony preferred.

Required Licenses: Appropriate clinical license/certification to perform essential duties in the state of Texas, i.e., Supervisor credentials for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-S), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-S), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT-S), or Licensed Psychologist (LP)

Software experience required: Proficient experience with Microsoft Applications and client database management

Competencies Required:

• Staff Management
• Leadership
• Developing Others
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Decision Making and Judgement
• Budget Oversight

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of issues, trends, and best practices in mental health care, outreach, and preventative education; knowledge of national certification and accreditation requirements.
• Knowledge of HIPAA compliant policies and procedures.
• Strong knowledge of crisis intervention, assessment, counseling, theory, and ethics. 
• Extensive knowledge and experience working with victims of child abuse and trauma.
• Extensive experience with individual counseling and/or family interventions.
• Individual should be creative, resourceful, detail-oriented, and flexible possessing a positive attitude, tact, good judgment, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work well as a team member with staff, community professionals, and volunteers.
• Ability to ensure accuracy and confidentiality in all work.
• Ability to articulate, integrate and implement collaborative models of care and professional practice.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic objectives, motivate and develop staff, effectively manage resources, and cultivate strong collaborative relationships with multiple constituents.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, communication, and critical thinking skills
• Proficient with Microsoft 365 applications, including Office Suite, Outlook, and Teams.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  

Work Location: All work must be performed in the office or in a secure location on a protected network due to client confidentiality.

Mental and Physical Abilities: Duties are usually performed seated with occasional periods of standing or walking. Limited physical effort is required associated with lifting and carrying objects (less than 25 lbs.).   

Working Conditions: Work may be performed but is not limited to an office environment. 

Essential Functions: This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.  It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this position.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this job description. 

Core Values: Must demonstrate/live our organization’s core values: 1. We are child-centered, family focused and community driven. 2. We act with dignity and compassion in all that we do. 3. We recognize our staff as our greatest asset. 4. We operate as a seamless team.   

 DCAC is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we believe in an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

BENEFITS:

• 100% Paid Employee Health Insurance-PPO
• 100% Paid Employee Dental Insurance
• 100% Paid Short Term Disability
• 100% Paid Long Term Disability
• 100% Paid Basic Term Life and AD&D Benefits (one times your annual earnings up to $50,000)
• Vision Insurance through Superior Vision
• Pet Insurance through Nationwide
• Legal Services through Freshbenies
• Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Spending Account
• Six (6) weeks' of paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Health Advocate
• WellVia Teladoc Program
• 403b Retirement and Contribution Plan with up to a 4% employer contribution
• Supplemental Insurance: Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance
• Bilingual Stipend (English/Spanish) of $2,700 annually
• Cell Phone Stipend
• 10 Paid Holidays
• 2 Floating Holidays
• 14 Wellness Days
• 10 Vacation Days 
• DCAC participates in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)