School Based Mental Health Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: School Based Mental Health Therapist

Full-Time: 40 hours

Reports To: School-Based Manager

SUMMARY:

The School-Based Therapist provides mental health and early intervention services to students within a school setting. This includes direct mental health services to students with identified needs and behaviors through referrals received from school-based teams. The School Based Therapist will provide counseling, training to students, parents, and staff to assist in developing prosocial skills to address mental health needs, decrease stigma, and behaviors that interfere with academic performance and developmental progress. In addition, the School-Based Therapist will work to assist students in addressing behaviors that cause conflict with peers, community, or family. The School-Based Therapist plays a key role in promoting a safe and supportive learning environment while providing access to mental health care for students.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

DIRECT CLINICAL SERVICES

• Conduct clinical assessments and develop treatment plans tailored to the identified needs of children and youth we serve.
• Facilitate individual, small group, and family counseling sessions using appropriate modalities and evidence-based practices.
• Offer behavioral strategies and emotional support to assist students succeed in the classroom.
• Provide consultation to teachers on student needs and behavior plans.
• Therapy methods appropriate to meet the needs of students experiencing educational difficulty.

COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION

• Partner with school personnel to identify student needs and coordinate appropriate services.
• Participate in student support teams, IEP/504 meetings, and other school-based interventions.
• Communicate with caregivers and external providers to support continuity of care.
• Represent the agency in a professional and collaborative manner within the school community.
• Convery training requests to the Clinical Director for professional development of school staff and district representatives as requested.
• Maintain current acceptable behavior strategies including positive behavior and best practices.
• Refers request for assistance with in-service training to parents, community agencies, student groups and educational staff members, relating to the promotion of positive mental health principles, related to educational success as requested.

DOCUMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE

• Complete clinical documentation in a timely and accurate manner, including progress notes, treatment plans, and assessments, etc.
• Adhere to agency, state, and licensing board standards for confidentiality, documentation, and clinical practice.
• Participate in supervision, peer review, and internal audits as required.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

• Attend regular clinical supervision and participate in professional development activities.
• Stay current on best practices in school-based mental health care and relevant legal/ethical standards.

CRISIS & BEHAVORIAL SUPPORT

• Respond to behavioral escalations and emotional crises using trauma-informed techniques.
• Participate in the development of school-wide behavioral supports (e.g., PBIS Tier 2/3).

AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY

• Complete documentation within specified timeframe using our Electronic Medical Records-Carelogic.
• Ability to utilize Microsoft Office applications.
• Coordinate work with Clinical Supervisor and/or designee, to ensure client’s delivery of services is reflected in the treatment plan.
• Fulfillment of productivity standards as defined by the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, or a related field.
• Licensed in the State of Ohio, LSW/LISW, LPC/LPCC, LMFT/LMIFT
• Experience working with children and adolescents, preferably in a school or community-based setting.
• Strong communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently in a school environment with appropriate supervision.
• Work with a diverse population of various socioeconomic and multicultural backgrounds.
• Counseling skills in a variety of settings.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Never

Intermittent

Frequent

Continuous

Endurance:

Sitting 6+ hours

X

Walking:

1 – 3 hours

X

Standing:

1 – 3 hours

X

Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling: 1 – 3 hours

Physically able to bend, stoop, and climb.

X

Lifting/Pulling/Pushing:

Physically able to lift, pull, and reach 10 – 125 lbs .

X

Fingering/Grasping/Feeling:

Must have full use of hands to perform tasks.

X

Work Conditions:

• Office work environment
• Drug-free, Smoke-free, and Alcohol-Free work environment
• Must be able to work during normal office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
• Works: Summers and School Breaks
• Satisfactory reference and background investigation
• Valid driver’s license and insured automobile
• Attendance at UMADAOP meetings, trainings, and community activities may be required.