Clinical Assessment Specialist

**ABOUT THE LINK: YOUTH AND FAMILY SUPPORTS**

For more than 90 years, The Link (formally known as Macdonald Youth Services) has helped youth and families on a journey to healing, hope and better lives. The organization is dedicated to walking alongside children, youth and families as an inclusive community, strengthening and empowering a sense of being, pride and purpose. With over 15 diverse programs, The Link has a community of caring staff that work together to provide support through a 24-hour crisis line, youth resource centers, emergency shelters, mobile crisis teams, specialized foster care, healing homes, job readiness supports and Skills4Life. With a strong foundation within the community and a focus on connection, unity and compassion, the organization provides a vital link for youth and families in the province of Manitoba.

**SUMMARY**:The Clinical Assessment Specialist provides screening, intake, assessment, and referral services for children and youth in care within The Link Healing Homes Programs.

The Clinical Assessment Specialist utilizes evidence-based tools to complete a comprehensive assessment of each, child/youth’s strengths and needs, functioning, and available resources, and provides recommendations for placement and therapeutic interventions. The Clinical Assessment Specialist collaborates with internal and external resources, family, caregivers, community supports, and agencies to ensure the needs and strengths of each child/youth are identified and ensure youth-centric outcomes. The Clinical Assessment Specialist functions within a collaborative, strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive framework. The Clinical Assessment Specialist provides culturally competent services, ensuring youth safety, choice, and empowerment are priorities at The Link.

**PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES**:
Under the general direction of the Manager, Centralized Intake and Assessment, the Clinical Assessment Specialist:

- Reviews client referral information and screens for suitability for placement;
- Directs and coordinates the assessment process for each child/youth upon admission;
- Completes screening and risk assessments and safety plans for all children and youth referred to The Link Healing Homes;
- Completes a comprehensive assessment for each child/youth and makes recommendations for therapeutic interventions and clinical supports;
- Collaborates with the child/youth, guardian, family, collaterals, and care providers during the assessment process to ensure that all aspects of the child/youth's physical, mental, social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs are acknowledged and addressed in the development of recommendations that promote safety, wellbeing and the preservation of family and community;
- Provides clinical consultation and topic-specific training as needed to assist staff and caregivers in developing greater awareness, skills, or strategies consistent with a trauma-informed approach to healing and recovery;
- Consults with the Link Centralized Intake Panel routinely to facilitate the best standard of care for our children and youth;
- Represents The Link in multi-system meetings as necessary;
- Maintains appropriate documentation of all clinical activities;
- Reviews client care plan documentation, in consultation with the Centralized Intake and Assessment Manager, to ensure compliance with The Link standards and provides constructive feedback where required;
- Provides on-call support to programs; Provides Centralized Intake coverage as needed; other duties as assigned or assumed to meet the needs of the agency.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Undergraduate degree in Human Services or accreditation from a governing Human Services College (e.g. RSW);
- Minimum of four (4) years' work experience in a supervised clinical setting;
- Demonstrated experience related to the understanding and completion of standardized assessment tools and the implementation of evidence-based;
- Therapeutic interventions with children, youth and/or families;
- Experience developing comprehensive risk assessments and safety plans, care plans, and SMART goals;
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the strengths and therapeutic needs of children, youth and families involved in Child Welfare Services;
- Familiarity with multiple techniques and demonstrating knowledge of best practice treatments and trauma-focused interventions for children and youth with complex needs;
- Formal training in psychometrics and the areas of child development, family dynamics, trauma treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, expressive techniques and other modalities;
- Knowledge of Indigenous healing modalities, ceremonies, languages and cultures would be considered an asset;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently and within a multi-disciplinary team;
- Demonstrated proficiency working w