School-Based Mental Health Specialist I - San Leandro, CA

About Organization: Wellness Together, a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, partners with schools statewide to increase student and family access to mental health services. By collaborating with universities and graduate programs, Wellness Together provides cost-effective "turn-key" social-emotional interventions on school campuses across California.

We Are Committed To Developing School-based Mental Health Practices Beyond Traditional Medical Care And Providing Much-needed Social-emotional Support At No Cost To The Student Or Their Family. We Advance School-based Health By

• Advocating for state and national policies that support school-based mental health services
• Providing training to staff as well as the community on mental health
• Hosting the annual Student Mental Wellness Conference, which partners with the CA Department of Education
• Cultivating new and existing partnerships to spread best practices and improve school-based mental health
  
  

Summary Of Position

Under supervision, the Mental Health Specialist provides mental health services, including individual and group counseling, case management, parent and staff consultations, referrals, and treatment plans for students with mental health needs. This position conducts mental health training for students, staff, and families.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Attend work consistently in person to ensure continuity of care for students
• Conduct intake assessments and develop treatment plans
• Provides individual and group counseling
• Provides case management and communicates available services and resources
• Provide crisis intervention and perform risk assessments
• Develop and deliver student, parent, and staff training with school site personnel
• Provide care coordination for referred students
• Consult with school staff, including administrators, counselors, and teachers, to coordinate care for referred students
• Attend SSTs, Section 504 meetings, and related student meetings
• Participate in crisis response to events that occur on campus
• Document and store individual and group counseling logs and notes of mental health treatment provided
• Participate in monthly staff meetings and required staff trainings.
• Participate in individual and group supervision as scheduled and required by the BBS and/or University Practicum/Affiliation Agreement.
• Operate ethically utilizing an evidence-based curriculum as supplied by the Organization, including, but not limited to, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Engage directly with supervisor (clinical or otherwise) when navigating clinical, ethical, or school-based mental health considerations, as appropriate based on licensure.
• Meets with students/clients regularly to provide counseling treatment and facilitate ongoing assessments of client progress to support the creation of individualized treatment plans according to student needs and circumstances.
• Facilitates family engagement sessions in support of student progress when appropriate.
• Refers students/clients to outside specialists or agencies when necessary and upon discontinuing services in a school-based setting.
• Gathers student consent to record sessions and engages in supervision to review session recordings for growth and feedback
• Maintains thorough records of students/clients meetings and progress.
• Follows all safety protocols as set forth by the Organization.
• Record sessions for review by the Wellness Together Clinical Supervisor when appropriate, and utilize only confidential, organization-approved practices and protocols.
• Complete documentation to reimbursement standards as set forth by the Organization and the CYBHI Fee Schedule, including Medi-Cal and Private Insurance payers.
• Diagnoses and treats, as appropriate, as defined by district-specific needs, and under the guidance of a Wellness Together Clinical Supervisor, mental health disorders within scope of practice.
• Other duties as necessary
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Regulations of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
• Evidence-based treatment modalities, primarily CBT & ACT
• Evidence-based counseling interventions, primarily CBT & ACT
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V)
• Crisis management and crisis intervention techniques
• Effective verbal and written communication strategies
• Conflict resolution
• Community referrals and resources
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Mandated reporting policies and procedures (Child Abuse/Tarasoff)
• Confidentiality and Ethics requirements
• Correct use of English language, including grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation
  
  

Ability To

• Attend work consistently in person to ensure continuity of care for students
• Provide mental health services to individuals or groups of students using evidence-based treatment modalities and counseling interventions, primarily CBT & ACT
• Refer students and families to community resources, support groups, and other social service agencies.
• Read, interpret, apply, and explain regulations, policies, and procedures
• Work independently and with discretion
• Analyze situations and develop an effective course of action
• Plan, develop, and deliver programs and services to meet student mental health needs
• Maintain electronic case records that are in accordance with HIPAA Guidelines
• Establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with Administrative staff, internal team members, and external partners
• Operate various office equipment, computer EHR, and software programs
• Maintain electronic records and prepare reports and translate as needed
• Establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with others
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable rules, codes, laws, and regulations
• Define issues, collect and analyze data, determine facts, and draw appropriate conclusions
• Contribute to practice by accomplishing related tasks as needed.
• Involve and advise family members when appropriate.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients, including, but not limited to, ensuring there are no dual relationships with clients
• Operate from a Brief, Positive, Mission-Focused lens at all times
• Operate within the scope of practice as set forth by industry standards and organizational standards
• Establish positive, trusting rapport with students/clients.
• Work as part of a mental health team
• Understand and follow directions from supervisors
  
  

Education And Experience

• A graduate program transcript is required if currently enrolled. Must be in practicum/internship.
• Experience working with youth having experienced trauma is preferred
• Experience working within a school setting or educational institution is preferred
  
  

Licenses And Other Requirements

• Graduate Program transcript and practicum agreement paperwork completed by University and Wellness Together Clinical Supervisor
• Valid California Class C Driver’s License (Preferred)
  
  

Work Environment

Classroom or office environment indoors. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform functions. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate. Hazards can include contact with abusive or hostile individuals with unpredictable behaviors.

Physical Demands

• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate assigned equipment
• Hearing and speaking to listen and provide information by phone or in person
• Observe and monitor student behavior and to read a variety of materials
• Kneeling, crouching, or bending at the waist to file materials
• Standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects up to 25 pounds.
• Reaching above the shoulders, horizontally, and overhead
  
  

Experience

• Relevant: 1 year (Preferred)
• Mental Health: 2 years (Preferred)
  
  

Language

• English
• Fluent in a second language (preferred)
  
  

Work Location:

• Multiple locations
• Telework as requested by the school site or partners