MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Mental Health Specialist

Mental Health Specialists deliver direct care services under the supervision of a Therapist or a Mental Health Professional who is responsible for each resident's Active Treatment Plan. Mental Health Specialists have one of the most direct and influential roles in our residents' progress in treatment. Mental Health Specialists report directly to their unit's Supervisor regarding shift scheduling, training, daily activity schedules, house maintenance, and all the other tasks related to the direct care of residents.

Responsibilities include ensuring the provision of compassionate, culturally sensitive services; ensuring all house or unit residents are present and on time for all clinical activities; creating a culture of care which discourages the use of protective holds and escorts; with the assistance of the Therapist, creating a living environment which residents evaluate positively; ensuring agency's Behavioral Management Plan is implemented with fidelity; actively participating in treatment team meetings and communicating fully regarding the delivery of treatment services to the house or unit residents, each resident's progress and condition on the unit or house, and the impact of program operations on treatment; implementing with fidelity all personalized interventions indicated in each resident's Active Treatment Plan; maintaining the structure, cleanliness and organization of the house or unit; implementing the agency's milieu model with fidelity; providing life skill training to residents as a routine matter in the course of daily living in the house or unit; interacting positively with residents, their family members, fellow staff members and all other stakeholders; and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications include having empathy for others and practicing the Golden Rule in relationships with residents and their families, with fellow staff member and with others; being an eager learner and willing to try new methods; having a fundamental love for children and a desire to be an agent for change in their lives; actively pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in a mental health-related field or having earned a Bachelor's degree and is a student pursuing a graduate degree in a mental health-related field and have completed at least two courses in that identified field; having a high school degree or a GED and have two years experience providing direct services in a mental health, physical health, social services, educational or correctional setting; possessing a strong sense of personal authority, maturity and integrity for a positive, influential role with children; being able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in a diverse range of audiences and settings; being skilled in conflict resolution and mediation; having strong verbal and social skills for use with residents and staff; being committed to the protection of confidential information, records and reports; having a strong work ethic and being willing to commit to significant job responsibilities; and being flexible in ability to function in demanding position.

Working Conditions: 70% of time in climate controlled area ("inside" work) and 30% of time spent outdoors. There is frequent exposure to bio-bodily fluids.