Temporary School-Based Behavioral Health Therapist (LCSW / LMFT / AMFT / ASW)

Job Description

Job Description

The School Based Behavioral Health Therapist provides direct mental health therapy and case management services to students and families referred by designated school professionals on campus. This clinical role contributes to the development and delivery of school-wide mental health services by conducting mental health screenings and assessments; offering individual and group treatment; providing focused skill-building interventions to reduce maladaptive behaviors and to improve social skills and coping strategies; formulating and implementing treatment plans; offering psycho-education; conducting crisis and/or risk assessment and response and submitting referrals to ancillary services as needed. The School Based Behavioral Health Therapist works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team at school sites and within the community to support student treatment and care needs.

RESONSIBILITIES :

1. Provide behavioral health support within a multi-tiered intervention framework and engages in prevention and intervention activities.
2. Establishes relationships with students and families that encourages an effective use of the therapy process.
3. Employ culturally competent, trauma-informed, best practices during psychotherapy.
4. Demonstrate effective liaison relationships with parents, school and agencies to coordinate care.
5. Collaborates with school team including case consultation and advice concerning student status, diagnosis, and treatment and attends various school-site meetings.
6. Conduct initial assessment and administer required standardized screening tools.
7. Gather relevant information necessary to accurately diagnose and treat patient; such as, mental status exam; functional impairments; behavioral health, substance use and trauma history; patient strengths and potential barriers to accessing services.  
8. Join with patients and families to develop individualized treatment plans aimed at addressing identified mental health symptoms of concern and presenting problems.
9. Provide crisis intervention/emotional stabilization for patients when need is identified by school administration or staff. .
10. Document patient encounters within Electronic Health Record in accordance with compliance requirements and NVIH procedures (laws, regulations, ethical standards).
11. Participate constructively in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities within the Department, such as peer review, staff meetings and case conferencing.
12. Maintain caseload of patients; coordinate with receptionist staff regarding daily schedule; and meet/exceed department productivity standard.
13. Other duties as assigned.

  All NVIH employees are expected to:

- Provide the highest possible level of service to patients;

- Promote teamwork and cooperative effort among employees;

- Maintain safe practices; and

- Abide by the NVIH’s policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS :

1. Must hold current license or registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (LCSW, LPCC, LMFT, ACSW, APCC, AMFT)
2. Experience with crisis counseling and working with children and families in a community setting desired
3. Has demonstrated the ability to work with diverse populations (experience working with Native Americans is desirable)
4. Two (2) years school-based therapy or case management experience desired.
5. Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
6. Demonstrates understanding of age-related or specialty issues and developmental needs for each population served by adapting style, treatment and plan to each population. 
7. Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong organizational problem-solving and analytical skills.
8. Ability to understand and adhere to established policies, procedures, protocols, and the ability to make timely and sound decisions.
9. Work independently under limited supervision, prioritizes work assignments.
10. Reliable Transportation and ability to adhere to regular attendance.

Native Preference.  Northern Valley Indian Health provides Native Preference in hiring practices for qualified Native applicants, in accordance with its policy. NVIH is also an Equal Opportunity and At Will Employer.