Lead Therapeutic Specialist

Description

About Us:

• If you’re looking for an opportunity to transform the lives of poor and homeless men, women, and children in your community, we may have a job for you.
• Since 1972, Metropolitan Ministries has been providing life-changing solutions for those who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless in Tampa Bay.
• We are a grassroots, donor, and volunteer-fueled community nonprofit. At Metropolitan Ministries, we serve families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk and Hernando counties with compassion, practical help, and a willingness to make a huge difference. 

What we offer: 

· Salary: $48,000 - $50,000

· Group health, vision, and dental coverage at affordable rates, along with family coverage if you choose to purchase it.

· Preventative care is 100% covered (free) on all plans.

· PTO is offered to full-time and part-time employees. 

· 11 days of PTO and 10 paid holidays annually. 

· Option to participate in the 401K plan with employer match. 

· $15,000 in employee Life Insurance paid for by Metropolitan Ministries.

· Employee Assistance Program

· Option to participate in supplemental group insurance plans at affordable rates.

· Tuition reimbursement program

· Training and career development.

· Discounted membership at the YMCA.

Job Functions:

Participates in CREATE therapeutic programming within the therapeutic afterschool environment by serving children and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in our communities. Therapeutic Specialists may come from a variety of disciplines, including mental health and recreational therapy. The Lead Therapeutic Specialist will work as part of a team to design and facilitate group activities which impact social emotional growth for children participating in the CREATE program. This position is intended to focus on the therapeutic needs of students in the school age programs using all forms of recreation as intervention. Includes assessment, intervention, and follow-up as well as teacher and parent training. General schedule is from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with a one day a week from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with evening flexibility to meet program and family needs. Collecting ongoing data and tracking program outcomes and success are integral parts of this job.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Provide active and individual supervision of other Therapeutic Specialists at the site.
2. Train and provide feedback to Therapeutic Specialists on planning targeted and intentional activities, as well as on data and documentation, including assessment tools and fidelity.
3. Assess students’ needs through observations, school and medical records, tests, and consulting with other professionals, teachers, families, and students.
4. Create treatment plans and programs that meet students’ needs and interests.
5. Plan and implement interventions to mitigate the effects of trauma.
6. Engage students in therapeutic activities using a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts, drama, music, dance, sports, games, and field trips.
7. Help students learn social skills needed to become or remain independent.
8. Teach students about ways to build and develop resilience from trauma.
9. Record and analyze a student’s progress.
10. Evaluate interventions for effectiveness.
11. Collect and report ongoing data.
12. Collaborate with community partners to provide intervention programs.
13. Design and implement Parent Engagement opportunities with site team.
14. Participate in regular team meetings to develop plans for students and monitor progress.
15. Keep confidential records according to the Ethical Boundaries for Those That Serve. Maintain professional boundaries.
16. Demonstrate flexibility in work schedule to ensure that client/program needs are being met.
17. Participate in Metropolitan Ministries holiday efforts, Bridge Builders and other fundraising events when needed. Provide tours of the facilities and speak on behalf of Metropolitan Ministries as needed.
18. Meet personal goals and actively contributes to the achievement of team and organizational targets/goals as stated on the KPI and in the annual plan. Attend required staff meetings and on-going trainings. Support the team and supervisor in other tasks as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

A minimum of a B.S. degree in recreation therapy or mental health field. Master’s degree in related field is desirable. Minimum of three years of experience in the fields of recreation therapy or related field for bachelor’s level candidates. Direct experience working with children and parents required. Bi-lingual p