Social Worker, Mental Health

School Social Worker

The School Social Worker provides both direct and indirect counseling services to students and their families and/or legal guardians. The School Social Worker provides services as required by the student's IEP to assist individuals in meeting their social-emotional and educational potential. The School Social Worker will work with families/legal guardians, outside agencies and school district personnel to provide consultation, transition planning, and educational services coordination.

The School Social Worker serves as an integral member of the school team.

Essential Functions:

• Completes social developmental studies and cultural and/or adaptive behavioral assessments as they apply to special education case study evaluations.
• Reviews student referral packets for pertinent social developmental and/or mental health related information.
• Facilitates on-going communication with school district personnel regarding student progress.
• Remains current regarding availability of outside agencies, hospitals and/or rehabilitation programs and social service facilities.
• Gathers information from other staff prior to student staffing or IEP.
• Completes IEP or other reports to be presented at staffing.
• Gives verbal or written feedback of student's progress and future goals and objectives at staffing.
• Communicates with parents in a supportive manner providing them with special education related information.
• Participates and contributes to in-service sessions and provides input and suggestions for future topics and directions.
• Encourages the existence of student organizations that may assist with the accomplishment of personal and institutional goals.
• Responsible for being knowledgeable about key issues in student's present and past experience that may influence their actions and affect their learning abilities. Adjusts and merges treatment and instruction accordingly.

Minimum Requirements:

• Education/
  
  Experience:
  
  A Master's Degree in a mental health/human services field from an accredited college (counseling, social work, psychology). Current state licensure is required (ISBE Type 73, LCSW, LSW, LPC, or LCPC). A minimum of 1-2 years experience in behavioral health, with experience in individual, family and group therapies, crisis intervention and treatment skills preferred; must have strong clinical assessment skills, with majority of experience focused on the child/adolescent population preferred.
• Skills /Knowledge:
  Must possess a valid Illinois driver's license. Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with Jen School students, supervisors, coworkers, subordinates, support agencies, and a variety of internal as well as external consumers. Basic computer proficiency including working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Adheres to the policies and procedures of Maryville Jen School. Knowledge of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) eligibility, planning, instruction and service delivery processes.
  
  Knowledge of service delivery options and documentation of service delivery. Knowledge of individual, family, and group therapy techniques. Knowledge of crisis intervention procedures. Knowledge of clinical assessment skills. Knowledge of therapeutic planning and techniques. Skill in organizing and prioritizing work loads to meet deadlines. Skill in telephone etiquette.
• Physical Demands:
  Required to frequently sit, stand, bend, stoop, walk and drive for extended periods. Ability to walk up and down stairs. Required to occasionally lift/move objects and/or youth weighing in excess of 40 pounds. Must possess the ability to provide physical restraint for students threatening to harm themselves or others. Must have the visual, hearing, and learning capabilities sufficient to perform the essential functions defined above.