Facilitator

Position Summary:

The Facilitator is responsible for leading and guiding therapeutic or support groups within the program. This role involves creating a safe and supportive environment for group members, fostering effective communication, and facilitating activities or discussions that support the clients’ therapeutic goals. The Facilitator works closely with the treatment team to ensure that group sessions align with treatment principles and contribute to the clients’ personal development and recovery.

Essential Job Functions:

• Knowledge of the Strategic Prevention Framework
• Lead and facilitate group therapy sessions, support groups, or other therapeutic activities, ensuring that sessions are engaging, relevant, and aligned with the client’s treatment goals.
• Train to provide youth and young adults the evidence-based community-level intervention Botvin.
• Implement Botvin life skills and evidence-based intervention.
• Develop and implement group activities and discussion topics that address the group members' specific needs and therapeutic objectives.
• Create a safe and respectful environment where clients feel comfortable sharing their experiences and participating in group activities.
• Encourage active participation and ensure that all group members have an opportunity to contribute to discussions and activities.
• Monitor group dynamics and intervene as needed to address conflicts, manage disruptive behaviors, and maintain a positive and productive group atmosphere.
• Collaborate with the treatment team to integrate group therapy objectives with individual care plans and overall treatment goals.
• Provide feedback and support to clients, helping them to set and achieve personal goals within the group setting.
• Document group session activities, client progress, and any significant observations in accordance with facility policies and regulations.
• Review and assess the effectiveness of group sessions, making adjustments to activities and approaches as needed to better meet the clients’ needs.
• Facilitate communication between group members and other members of the treatment team, ensuring continuity of care and a comprehensive approach to client support.
• Stay informed about best practices in group therapy and therapeutic facilitation through ongoing training and professional development.
• Uphold facility policies and procedures related to safety, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licenses:

• None required for this position

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree and at least 2 years’ experience in prevention programs, HIV, and substance abuse.  Experience working with 13 – 24-year-old population.  Capacity to learn and implement intervention clinical core elements.  Case management experience preferred and strong computer skills.

Experience and Competencies:

Two years working with the youth 13 – 24 year of age population, community organizations and the business community.  Strong organizational skills and follow-up skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Case management experience preferred
• Experience working with the population from 13 to 24 years old. 
• Ability to learn and put into practice the basic clinical elements of the intervention. 

• Previous experience facilitating groups or leading therapeutic sessions is preferred.
• Familiarity with therapeutic community principles and treatment concepts
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to manage group dynamics effectively.
• Ability to create a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages client participation and engagement.
• Knowledge of therapeutic techniques and strategies relevant to group therapy and support.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion;

• Ability to work well in a team environment;
• Strong observation skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to remain calm and act quickly in high-stress situations.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, particularly when interacting with clients experiencing mental health crises.
• Patience and empathy when working with individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
• Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality;
• Professional appearance and demeanor;
• Must be culturally/linguistically sensitive to populations served;
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity. Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility, to work in the office environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces) to interact with co-workers in the office environment, sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 30 pounds. Constant use of a computer and telephone system is required, which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, and the public and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing:  Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less as well as vision adequate for driving a motor vehicle. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and when driving a motor vehicle.
• The normal work routine may involve exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. Job duties may include performing or assisting in emergency medical care or first aid.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions.
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations using approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.