ECHO Alternative School & StarQuest Academy School Based Mental Health Practitioner ​/ Therapist

Job Summary

The Mental Health Therapist will provide counseling to students in the ECHO Alternative School & Star Quest Academy School. This role primarily involves working with youth to provide mental interventions, develop collaborative education and success plans, link families to community resources, and establish diagnoses as appropriate.

The clinician will apply developmentally appropriate therapeutic interventions and advanced psychosocial theory to address complex emotional and behavioral concerns. Services provided will support students and their families in accessing internal and external resources to improve overall functioning and well-being.

The therapist will stay current with best practices and emerging trends in mental health, offering expertise and guidance within the agency and to external partners, including local, regional, state, and federal stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• QMHP-CS certification (preferred)
• Minimum of two years of experience in the behavioral health field

• Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with youth
• Provide individual and group therapy, as well as classroom-based interventions
• Deliver crisis intervention and conflict resolution, appropriately distinguishing emergency from non-emergency situations
• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards at all times
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments through interviews, record reviews, and collaboration with other professionals and information sources
• Demonstrate advanced competence in psychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning
• Stay informed of all relevant laws, regulations, and licensing requirements related to clinical documentation
• Ensure complete, timely, and accurate documentation of therapy sessions, significant events, and relevant communications
• Maintain organized and up-to-date client files, including obtaining and updating releases of information and other required documentation

• Strong commitment to the agency’s mission, values, and success
• Sound judgment and clear-headed decision-making aligned with the role’s scope
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Openness to feedback and willingness to learn and grow professionally
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities
• Creative thinking and ability to develop innovative solutions
• Capacity to coordinate and lead interdisciplinary teams
• Effective conflict resolution skills
• Deep commitment to supporting children and families
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other relevant software

• Valid Illinois Driver’s License (Class
  
  C)
• Reliable transportation
• Current auto insurance
• Three (3) professional references
• Cleared criminal background check
• Access to a working mobile phone for on-call and after-hours availability

With or without reasonable accommodations, this position may require:

• Clear vision, hearing, speech, and writing ability
• Occasional reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling
• Frequent sitting, standing, and walking, sometimes for extended periods
• Ability to navigate stairs, inclines, and uneven terrain
• Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds