Mental Health Specialist
Definition:
The Mental Health Specialist will provide school-based mental health/wellness services and resources to students and families, and lead school sites through Social Emotional Learning and mental wellness strategies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include but are not limited to the following:
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Provides direct individual and group counselling and case management to students at various school sites.
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Assists in developing and implementing research-based programs/curriculum to improve educational access and academic performance.
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Develops and provides treatment plans and interventions to serve students with mental health disorders.
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Provides support and guidance to the site team and conducts threat/suicidal/homicidal risk assessment to promote student safety.
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Assists parents and families in accessing and utilizing community resources; makes referrals for students and to appropriate community resources and social services.
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Collaborates with student and staff to support student academic progress and attends intervention, 504 and IEP team meetings.
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Conducts home visits in conjunction with other school personnel as needed.
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Provides parent/guardian counseling/training and education. Sessions may be in the evenings based on parent preference.
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Develops and implements classroom-based presentations on mental health related topics as needed.
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Participates in professional activities, conferences and research to keep apprised of trends, practices and areas of growth for meeting the mental wellness needs of students.
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Establishes and maintains records utilizing district systems.
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Develops an Internship Program with local universities. Supervise M.S.W. (Masters, Social Work) interns, B.S.W. (Bachelor, Social Work) interns, or MFT (Marriage, Family Therapist) Interns/and PPS (Pupil Personnel Services) Interns involved in fieldwork placements with the program. Provide crisis response services when needed via the intern program.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge Of:
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Theory and evidence based practices of counseling, ethics and associated legal confidentiality requirements.
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Therapeutic methodologies and family systems theories.
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Applicable sections of the State Education Code and other applicable laws, rules and regulations Specialist- Mental Health & School Wellness.
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Applicable diagnosis and treatment models for individuals, groups, and families.
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Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
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Normal and abnormal child behavior, development and parent-child relationships.
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Behavior modification techniques and strategies.
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Crisis management and intervention techniques.
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Community referral resources.
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Federal and state laws concerning family rights and behavioral health services..
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Conflict resolution and group dynamics.
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Knowledge of HIPAA and FERPA laws.
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Evidence-based practices ( TF-CBT/CBT, Restorative Practices, FFT, MI, SFBT).
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Objective and measurable goal writing.
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Effective counseling strategies, adolescent growth and developmental issues, and specific crisis interventions.
Possess Ability and Skill to:
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Effectively communicate, both orally and in writing with school personnel, students and parents.
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Establish and maintain effective relationships with families and relatives of students, program staff, and other interested persons and agencies.
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Knowledgeable about community-based resources and ability to work effectively with outside agencies.
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Flexible work hours; may include evenings and early mornings.
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Develop and maintain systematic and concise files for student data and progress monitoring.
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Read, interpret, and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
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Manipulate and configure data to form statistical analysis.
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Complete work with many interruptions.
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Observe and analyze situations and make sound effective decisions.
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Travel to a variety of school-site or school-related community organizations within a reasonable time frame.
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Operate a variety of office equipment, a computer and assigned software.
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Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
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Use correct English grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
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Demonstrate effective record-keeping and report writing techniques.
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Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
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Operate a variety of office equipment including a copier, printer, a computer and assigned software.
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Reach from the waist to at or above shoulder level; bend, stoop, push, pull, grasp, squat, kneel, and twist as needed.
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Bilingual Spanish preferred.
Education/Experience/Licences Required:
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Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, social work,or psychology, and,
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Possession and maintenance of pupil personnel services credential (PPS: School Counselor; School Child Welfare and Attendance; School Psychology; or School Social Worker), and
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW);
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Two years of post-masters experience working with adolescents in an educational, individual and family therapy service setting as LMFT or LCSW.
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Experience working with “at risk” students.
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Proof of graduate intern supervisor training in order to supervise interns from local colleges or universities, and experience supervising interns is preferred.
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Valid California Class C Driver’s Licence.