Mental Health Therapist

Behavioral Health Specialist

Provide diagnostic assessments/evaluations for students with behavior challenges that significantly impact their academic success. Assist school personnel to identify and understand variables which negatively affect a student's academic performance (including mental illness, trauma, and other Adverse Childhood Experiences) and recommend strategies which best support the student. Coordinate therapy services and other referrals in collaboration with school nurse and community service providers by facilitating communication to promote continuity of care for students and families.

Assess and de-escalate crisis situations: assessing for suicide ideation, homicidal ideation, and child's level of safety while working with the family and school throughout the process. Deliver services on site as needed. Provide individual/group counseling as needed. Provide support groups and/or parent education for families as needed. Provide direct observation of children within the classroom. Participate in 1:1 interventions as necessary in order to encourage student success in meeting classroom expectations.

Assist school personnel and family to identify issues which impede the child's successful social and emotional behavior and create an individual behavior plan that addresses these issues. Promote services to students and their families within the context of multicultural understanding and competence that enhance families' support of students' learning experiences. Consult on such issues as attendance, confidentiality, ethnicity and diversity, mental health, substance use, behavior management, discipline, crisis intervention and child abuse and neglect.

Ensure all paperwork is completed in a timely and accurate manner while adhering to confidentiality and other professional ethical standards.

The essential functions as shown represent only the key areas of responsibility; specific position requirements will vary depending on need. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the team member for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Masters degree in mental health counseling, psychology, social work or related field from accredited college or university required. Maintains appropriate professional licensure to practice in the State of Iowa such as LISW or LMHT. Minimum of two years experience assessing children's mental health needs related to challenging behaviors and developing/implementing plans, preferably in a school setting. Demonstrated successful cross-sector collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team to coordinate care for individual students.

Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with school staff, community service providers, students, and families to achieve successful outcomes. Applicants who hold or are eligible to obtain a valid School Psychologist license/certificate are encouraged to apply. Experience with students and families from diverse backgrounds, understanding the impact of race and poverty upon students and families. Position requires a valid driver's license and reliable personal vehicle.

Ability to advocate for students in accessing needed resources. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication. Commitment to help program youth and their families identify their strengths. Ability to tolerate ambiguity. Orientation to continuous problem solving and positive life outlook. Ability to recognize sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality Knowledge of, and ability to implement, de-escalation techniques Knowledge of, and ability to implement, behavior management techniques Commitment to assist families and youth to identify, confront, and reduce the conditions which place them at risk of dropping out of school.

Patience and understanding in communicating with persons to be served Ability to network, problem solve and multi-task. Knowledge of community resources. Willingness to assume responsibility. Regular attendance. Capable of representing the school in a professional manner, which includes but is not limited to confidentiality, communication skills, and dress. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

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…