School Based Mental Health Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The School Based Therapist is part of the School Based Mental Health program and will be placed in a local elementary, middle or high school in the metro Atlanta area.

The Therapist will primarily provide individual and family counseling services but will also provide group services as clinically indicated.

Therapist will also work closely with school staff to coordinate referrals, intakes and updates on cases. Therapist will provide training and consultation to school staff and others on ways to provide trauma informed care for students.

Role and Responsibilities

The primary duties include but are not limited to the following :

• Assessing clients / student’s history of trauma, understanding, strengths, and needs;
• Screen, evaluate, and triage potential consumers to determine what services / evidence-based interventions should be offered
• Provide initial clinical impressions
• Administer behavioral health assessments and other assessments as clinically indicated or warranted.
• Utilize evidence-based practices at all times
• Administer / aware of ACE score and implications on service planning
• Evaluate and document the client’s level of functioning and progress toward the attainment of goals.

Coordinating Services and Collaboration

• Make necessary referrals to meet consumer's health, well-being, education, mental health, and employment needs
• Facilitate and / or participate in Team Meetings for students / clients as needed
• Collaborate and communicate with other programs within the school system, CHRIS 180, or other providers / entities in the provision of services to consumers
• Advocate on behalf of clients with other agencies including coordinating services to patients.

Specific Services to Consumers

Provide outpatient services to include providing individual counseling, family counseling / training, and / or group counseling / training to consumers with mental health, co-occurring, or substance abuse disorders as classified by the DSM V.

Use evidence-based, trauma-informed practices.

• Provide therapy for students and their families who are referred to the School-Based Mental Health Program
• Demonstrate engagement skills and clinical expertise in providing trauma-focused mental health treatment to the target client population.
• Manage clinical caseload. The number of clients on caseload is based on the frequency of sessions and billable hour expectations.
• Provide CSI services to children and families as clinically indicated.

Documentation Requirements

• Timely documentation of all case activities in accordance with company policy.
• Maintain detailed case files and other documentation in 100% compliance with standards.
• Complete Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) applications as needed.
• Complete monthly documentation and case trackers as required.

Practice Requirements

• Adhere to the organization's policies and procedures.
• Attend clinical supervision, meetings, and training as required / scheduled.

Performance and Conduct

• Maintain confidentiality of consumer information
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and code of ethics
• Follow the mandated reporting requirements of GA Code
• Support and maintain an environment of emotional and physical safety for consumers, staff, and other stakeholders at all times

Demonstrate customer service

• Promote a positive image of CHRIS 180 programs at all times
• Work as a contributing and collaborative team member
• Respond to consumer, referral source, stakeholder, and peer needs via email and telephone in a timely fashion

Maintain Personal Information and Training

• Maintain required certifications and licensure status
• Review, understand, and respond to organizational and programmatic policies.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Master’s degree in the field of social work, counseling, and / or marriage and family therapy and the ability to obtain licensure.
• Clinical expertise in child development, dysfunction, counseling, treatment planning, and diagnosis is required.
• Ability to work independently in the school environment without agency support onsite. Demonstrated ability to seek out supervision when needed is critical.
• Skilled in providing individual, family, and group therapy.
• Ability to effectively relate to clients, parents / custodians of all social, economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds, with firmness, fairness, and concern.
• Solid decision-making ability as related to the safety and well-being of clients, families, community, and staff.
• Be guided by precedent and established policy and procedure in decision-making. This person will be required to analyze and react to difficult situations, often while under considerable stress and pressure.
• Dependability, emotional stability, and physically capable.
• Ability to recognize when assistance and consultation are needed.

Other The ideal candidate will possess the following :

• Technical expertise that allows well-informed decisions, usage of available tools and resources, and training to execute job responsibilities
• Accountable for work being completed accurately and in a timely manner as well as following up as needed
• Ability to collaborate with other staff to ensure best practices and sound decisions
• Ability to communicate using appropriate tone when corresponding verbally or written (as well as proper usage of grammar and spelling)
• Ability to adapt and adjust to the course and be open to new ideas
• Ability to manage workload by having a clear understanding of task / project and set realistic timelines and goals
• Commitment to our vision and mission should be demonstrated in work.

Salary range 36k-58k (depending on licensure and experience).

Benefits we offer :

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance and AD&D
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flex Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• 403 (b) plan
• Paid Time Off

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8 : 30 AM 5 : 00 PM but may require some flexibility.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to lift and / or move up to 20 pounds.