Title:   Mental Health Clinician

Reports To:  Director of Special Ed or Designee

Salary:  Administrator Salary Schedule

Classification:  Administrative

FLSA:  Exempt (salaried)

Work Year:  202 Work Days

Board Ratified: 3/8/2012 

BASIC FUNCTION:

Work under the direction of the Director of Special Education.  Performs duties of a school therapist working with individual students and small groups with parent approval.  Provide information on individual therapy goals and progress as needed and directed.  Provide clinical counseling and case management services.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Evaluate expulsion documents to determine counseling needs.
• Provide assessments for students that have been referred via District defined process and communicate clearly the assessment results via written report.
• Complete screenings and provide aftercare follow-up procedures, in a timely manner.
• Develop goals and objectives for therapy provided to every student on their caseload.
• Conduct individual, group and family counseling sessions with students in the assigned population, after having obtained the necessary parental consent.
• Work with parents and families to develop realistic plans to address their specific needs.
• Consult with school staff as appropriate regarding student’s treatment issues.
• Advise students and families on available community resources and make appropriate referrals as needed.
• Create and maintain records of each counseling session in a timely manner.
• Complete any other necessary client case materials, program forms and statistical data, information and reports in a timely manner.
• Develop and maintain a professional relationship with colleagues and staff to include necessary collaboration, cooperation and clear professional communication.
• Work a flexible schedule in order to address case situations.
• Work with other agencies, probation, mental health, welfare, etc.
• Awareness of drug and alcohol abuse issues and related services.
• Participate in IEP meetings.
• Perform home visits as necessary
• Attendance at individual and/or group supervision sessions, staff meetings and trainings as required.
• Maintain appropriate records regarding assessments, services to students and trainings as required for legal documentation and Medi-Cal billing.
• Other related duties as assigned

Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge and Application of:  Knowledge of theory, principals, techniques and trends in counseling and therapy, community resources, DSM IV Diagnostic Criteria, rules pertaining to student confidentiality, laws pertaining to counseling, programs for dysfunctional families, anger management strategies, coping skills, drug and alcohol programs/services, and culturally competent, family oriented strength based models of therapy.   District policies and procedures, computer hardware and software programs and other office equipment necessary for program operation, procedures and record-keeping systems, correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary, general principals of child development, interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.

Ability to:

• Work well and efficiently with At-Risk students as well as those with special needs.
• Conduct staff in-services.
• Represent the District in a professional and competent manner.
• Advocate for the best interests of the District and students/families that we serve.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, coworkers, clients, supervisors and members of diverse and cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, ancestry, political affiliation, citizenship, disability, medical conditions, marital status, amnesty and veteran status.
• Maintain confidentiality and confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or agency regulations.
• Balance meeting contact hours and paperwork requirements.
• Assess and prioritize client issues and determine needs.
• Establish clear boundaries in a diplomatic manner with clients and school personnel.
• Perform job duties in a safe manner to ensure a safe working environment for oneself and others.
• Participate in assigned scheduled agency meetings, in-service trainings, conferences and other trainings as determined by the supervisor.  This includes serving as an agency representative at assigned community meetings.
• Observe assigned working hours and program appointments by demonstrating promptness and thorough preparation.
• Perform assigned duties with a positive attitude and in the spirit of teamwork, collaboration and cooperation.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Work effectively with a variety of situations and people.
• Prepare clinical documentation, assigned reports, work records, statistical data, and employee performance evaluations in a timely manner.
• Meet contractual obligations by billing a determined number of Medi-Cal or Healthy Families reimbursable hours.

Education and Experience:

Education:       Graduation from an accredited graduate program with receipt of a Master’s Degree in Counseling/Psychology or Social Work is required. 

Experience:      Two years of experience in a mental health setting under clinical supervision as required to qualify for the State recognized license. 

Special Requirements:  Licensed as either a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT) in the State of California.  Must possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license and maintain the minimum state vehicle insurance.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, talk, and hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, and walk.  The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arm; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  Physical mobility and strength to demonstrate and assist in restraining out of control students in accordance with Hughes Bill and emergency response mandates.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Hazards:

Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee regularly works inside and is required to drive his/her POV from site to site on a regular basis.  The employee works in an office and/or classroom setting and often in a school environment setting with students and staff.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.