Practice Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Do you have a passion for working with vulnerable youth?  Is this your life path? If so, become a Practice Specialist at our Provincial Campus Based Care (PCBC) Branches, share the vision of building “strong children, youth, families and communities where children and youth are valued, nurtured and loved”.

Provincial Campus Based Care Branches are care campuses for youth with significant trauma based emotional and behavioral needs. We are currently looking to hire a Practice Specialist, on the Clinical Services team. Working as an integral member of a multi-disciplinary team, you will be Reporting to the Manager, Clinical Services at Provincial Campus Based Care. The Practice Specialist will provide and support clinical practice shifts at a regional level connecting to and informing of provincial directions and knowledge in the area of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics and trauma informed practice.  

You will act as program consultants to staff, supervisors, and management with a primary focus on the implementation of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) in PCBCs. This position will develop consistent NMT practice recommendations, strong communication input, and be responsible for ongoing monitoring of consistent practice and embedding NMT into PCBC programs. 

This position requires a high level of skill in the areas of communication, collaboration, and coordination. Occasional travel is an expectation of the role to other Provincial Campus Based Care sites. 

The responsibilities of this position include (but are not limited to):

• Develop consistent NMT practice recommendations, strong communication input, and be responsible for ongoing monitoring of consistent practice with embedding NMT into our treatment programs.Implementation of consistent practice approaches and supporting provincial strategic direction
• Supporting the integration of policy to practice areas
• Acts as a knowledge broker and conduit for information on the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics
• Knowledge of Signs of Safety
• Assists PCBC in meeting policy and standards expectations. 
• Supports the PCBC’s around provincial protocols and practices.
• Ability to work as a team player with other Specialists, Management, Team Leads and Child and youth Care workers around practice, protocols, and initiatives
• Ability to coach, mentor, train and support the staff of PCBC
• Exhibit the ability to implement initiatives, pilot projects and processes across PCBC
• Ability to collaborate with other program areas in order to achieve the best outcomes for consistency, practice and standards
• Monitor practice strategies and the impact they have on outcomes by working with the Child and Youth Care teams, staff and supervisors.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

Drive for Results 

• Identifies ways to exceed performance expectations. Sets and accomplishes goals and priorities to deliver outcomes consistent with Government direction, departmental objectives, and public expectations. Factors in the complexity of issues, and strategically aligns decisions and plans based on values, outcomes, and broader organizational needs. 

Creative Problem Solving 

• Identifies several analytical techniques and sources of knowledge to break apart complex problems. Finds ways to improve complex systems or structures to better meet goals and outcomes. Continuously engages others to scope and solve issues and find the best solutions. Encourages debate and idea generation from across the organization. Assesses and addresses risks while providing guidance to move new ideas forward. 

Agility 

• Anticipates changing environmental demands and changes behavior accordingly. Remains calm and composed even in difficult or stressful situations. Is open to new or diverse ideas, and to doing things in a new way. Works creatively within policies and procedures to proactively meet goals. 

Systems Thinking 

• Seeks to understand a range of stakeholder perspectives and how they interrelate. 

Develop Networks 

• Makes an effort to have informal or casual contact with a range of colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Builds trust by being open to different perspectives while looking for long-term and mutually beneficial outcomes. Communicates regularly with stakeholders, setting up opportunities for mutual sharing of information. 

Build Collaborative Environments

• Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

Develop Self and Others

• A commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of yourself and others.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards:

A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or Social Work and 2 year of related experience

The following equivalencies maybe considered: 

Related master’s degree and 3 years related experience.

• Related education (outside social work programs) can include Master of Child Studies/Child & Youth Care, Master of  Education, Master of Health Sciences, Master of Human Services, Master of Arts in Psychology, MA Sociology, Master of Community Rehab, MSc Family Studies/Human Ecology, MA Early Child Development, 

Preferences to Candidates with: 

• Master of Counselling Psychology 
• Knowledge of Neurosequential Model Training
• Registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) is required for all social work graduates.
• You must have a Class 5 Valid Driver’s License
• Current Certification in First Aid with CPR and Suicide Intervention.

Note: 

Candidates who have interviewed for a Practice Specialist position in the last 6 months and have not qualified may not be invited for an interview.
Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

There is one permanent position available.

This competition may be used to fill other vacancies for Practice Specialist (CPS positions with Children and Family Services.

Hours of Work:

Monday to Friday, 36.25 hours per week (full-time).
May be required at times to provide after-hours support.  

Application Requirements: 
 

• In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience.
• Complete all pre-screening questions.
• Candidates will require a clear Intervention Record Check to be considered for the role (if not currently in the Child Intervention Delivery Services Branch).

Please be advised that your current supervisor and manager will be contacted as references.

Other: 

• Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate.