School Mental Health Professional @ Desert Skies Middle (Full-Time Standard)

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general direction of the Administrator of School Counseling, the School Mental Health Professional will assess the mental health needs of students that affect a student's ability to learn. By providing clinical intervention strategies and treatment opportunities for students and their families which include individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and clinical brief intervention, the School Mental Health Professional will strengthen students' learning opportunities, achievements and mental health functioning, and ensure access to mental health services for children and their families. In alignment with other District programs such as School Counseling, School Social Work, School Psychology, and Intervention, the School Mental Health Professional will further encourage success among low achieving at-promise students.

EXEMPLARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Acts as mandated reporter of child abuse; designs and implements behavior management programs for students; provides referral resources for families; provides clinical assessment, planning and supervision functions to address student mental health needs; advises administrators, social workers, counselors, and staff on critical issues impacting student achievement; participates in school counselor training and programs, contributes to the ongoing enrichment of the school through participation in program development and activities designed to build upon staff competencies; participates in crisis intervention teams and intervention assistance teams; supports district MTSS framework for organizing student intervention services; facilitates individual and group interventions with student; consults with teachers, administrators, and parents regarding classroom behavior, policies, and procedures affecting student performance; responds to suicidal statements made by students by implementing district screening and assessment protocols; provides direct and indirect services to students and families to address any issue that interferes with the educational process using evidence-based mental health interventions; implements home visits when appropriate; Maintains the ethical guidelines and requirements under their mental health licensure including adherence to caseload requirements, administers procedures set forth in the Nevada Attendance Laws and Washoe County District Attendance Policy; promotes and supports clinical mental health internship placements within WCSD; develops and provides professional development trainings related to school-based mental health services; collaborates with district and community partners to promote sustainable funding for school-based mental health services; implements Tiered mental health promotion programs; and documents services provided according to district and Infinite Campus protocols and procedures.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education/Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills are qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

Education: Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to mental health in schools.

AND

Experience: Three years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) school mental health experience OR three years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience with mental health services for school aged children is desirable.

Knowledge of: Clinical mental health evidence-based treatment modalities; Ethical frameworks guiding school-based mental health practice; K-12 at-risk students and their families; theories of human behavior and development; multidisciplinary activities; characteristics of the pupil population; public education legislation, case law, and due process; knowledge and experience in behavior management; family systems theory and techniques; parent education; student assessment methods and procedures, intervention, and direct service activities, including counseling with students and parents; consultation methods; program development systems and strategies; special education policy and procedures.

Skill at: Exceptional interpersonal skills; marriage and family counseling; clinical professional counseling; ability to work autonomously and responsibly; program development; writing, evaluating, and coordinating school social work programs and services; communicating effectively with district education personnel including principals and teachers, as well as students, parents and employees of community service agencies; utilizing various objective measures including measures of adaptive behavior, self-esteem, social skills, attitudes, emotional health, and interests.

Licenses/Certificates: Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid Nevada Education License in School Mental Health; possession of or the ability to obtain a valid Nevada driver's license with a driving record acceptable to the District; Possession of an outside of Department of Education license as a mental health professional issued by an agency or board of the State of Nevada.

Special Considerations: Must be willing and able to work flexible scheduling requiring evening and weekend hours.

THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND TO PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.