Clinical Screener, Integrated Assessment Program (38430)

Position Summary

This is a position with the Integrated Assessment Program that involves conducting specialized clinical mental health assessments of children birth through 18 years of age who are placed in substitute care and their former guardians. The purpose of the program is to ensure that all clients entering into IDCFS custody receive an appropriate clinical assessment by a licensed mental health professional to identify any important behavioral, developmental, or mental health problems. The Clinical Screener completes a specialized report of findings that will be presented in a court of law as part of the adjudication and determination of the permanency of the case. This is not a time limited or temporary position. Funding is expected to be ongoing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts highly specialized trauma-focused assessments of individuals who are at high risk of serious harm toward others; the assessment provides a diagnostic impression (i.e., uses DSM -5 criteria) of their psychiatric state including their affect (i.e., symptoms of depression, mania, and anxiety), thought content (e.g., illogical, homicidal, or suicidal thoughts), and behaviors (e.g., impulsivity, withdrawn behaviors, agitation). Conducts early childhood developmental screenings and other assessments of severely abused and neglected infants, toddlers and pre-school age children (i.e., those who have experienced shaken baby, head trauma, unexplained broken bones, malnourishment, and sexual abuse) to develop a diagnostic impression of the presence of developmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, attachment concerns, speech delay, fine and gross motor delay).

• Conducts assessments of children and adolescents to determine significant psychiatric and behavior concerns (suicide, behavioral deterioration, assault, rape, homicide, PTSD, personality disorder, psychosis); these assessments are used to inform recommendations for treatment including the appropriate level of care (e.g., specialized foster care, residential treatment placements, psychiatric hospitalization). Uses clinical information to determine if an individual is a threat to significantly harm (assault, murder) another individual.

• Conducts diagnostic substance abuse assessments and makes a determination of the level of substance abuse intervention required. Conducts parenting capacity evaluations and makes a determination of the types of parenting interventions that are necessary. Conducts assessments of interpersonal violence in the home and makes appropriate recommendations for interventions, as needed. Integrates information from conducted assessments, case file, and documentation of other providers and writes forensic reports informed by Illinois statutes that are used by a Juvenile Court Judge to make a determination on the status of a DCFS family case (i.e., determination of whether parental rights will be terminated); these reports include the prognosis for being able to return a child to their family in a timely fashion (based on research in this area) and recommendations for services that should be provided to families in order to improve functioning, if there is a plan to return the children to the parents’ care.
  
  
• Completes clinical documentation and shares with appropriate entities and supervisors (e.g., Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths [ CANS ], Early Childhood assessment and screening tools, weekly case notes). Takes a leadership role in IDCFS clinical meetings (e.g., family meetings, report staffing, priority clinical staffing, CIPP meetings).

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

Current Illinois LCSW, LSW with Masters Degree, LPC, LCPC, LMFT, Clinical Psychologist.
Must have Masters Degree from a related field.
Must have 2 years of clinical experience.
Must have a working knowledge of DSM -5 diagnostic criteria.
Must have knowledge of empirically supported clinical practice.
Must have knowledge of social, emotional and physical development across the lifespan.
Must possess the knowledge to make risk determinations of self-harm, or violence.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills of clinical knowledge

Additional Requirements (SPS)

Actual hiring rate is commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity; position includes a robust benefits package to eligible applicants.

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

Experience using diagnostic screening tools is preferred.
Experience independently determining DSM -5 diagnoses is preferred
Experience conducting developmental screenings of infants and toddlers is preferred.
The ability to conduct mental health assessments in Spanish is preferred.
Certification or credentials to engage in clinical work with specialty populations (early childhood, CADC, sexual abuse assessment) is preferred.
Experience working with DCFS or a government agency providing mental health services is preferred.
The ability to conduct assessments in another language, in particular Spanish, is preferred.
Experience testifying in court is preferred.
Training or experience conducting psychological evaluations is preferred.

Physical demands/requirements

The position requires considerable typing, the position requires the ability to type 40 words per minute.
NIU IA Clinical Screeners must be comfortable around infants and small children and have the ability to pick up and hold infants up to 20 pounds.
There is considerable regional travel and the position requires that someone can drive for at least 2 hours and/or 120 miles. Clinical Screeners who cannot drive the required time or distance, who lose driving privileges or who cannot obtain auto insurance are not eligible for the position.
Clinical Screeners must be able to handle a laptop and bag weighing approximately 15 pounds.

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

9/26/2022

Anticipated Appointment End Date

06/30/2023

Percent of Staff Year

1.00

Standard Hours Per Week

37.50

Salary

$58,000.08 to $60,000.00

Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range

$2,416.67 to $2,500.00

Earn Type

Salary

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

For full consideration, please submit application and documents through NIU online employment system by 10-15-2022 . Applications received after this date will be considered as needed. For questions, contact Andria Maxwell ( amaxwell@niu.edu ).
Required Applicant Documents
Cover letter
Resume

Special Instructions

Quick Link to Applicant

https://employment.niu.edu/postings/66620

Is Background Check Required?

Yes

EEO Statement Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services 230
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at ada@niu.edu .

Safety Information

NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.

Read the Annual Safety and Security Report. Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-1649 for a hard copy.

Read the Fire Safety Report . Contact the Department of Environmental Health and Safety at 815-753-0404 for a hard copy.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

1. Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
2. Other #2

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).