MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST (#1841)

Full-time school Mental Health Therapist to serve throughout the district.

Terms of Employment: nine (9) months; August - May; Classified Exempt position

Hours: 8:00am - 4:00, 40 hrs/week, Monday through Friday

Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work or Counseling

Certification: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC / LPCC)

Qualifications: Must have a social work license through the state of North Dakota Board of Social Work or possess counselor license through the State of North Dakota Board of Counseling.  Three (3) years post Masters mental health therapy experience required.

Job Goal: To serve as a mental health therapist for students K-8. This position will serve special education students at select elementary and middle schools.  This multifaceted position also involves a combination of clinical services, and consultation with the school multi-tier system of support teams.  In this role you will be providing evidenced based clinical intervention for children ages 5-14. Actively engage with school staff, families, supervisors, colleagues, and community mental health providers to provide a coordinated response to students and families who have experienced trauma or have an emotional disturbance diagnosis.

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following: 

1. Design and implement treatment plans reflective of child/family needs.
2. Consult with school teams, parents / guardians, and other community providers to provide a mental health continuum of care.
3. Contribute to a safe and healthy school environment. 
4. Advocate for the policies, programs and services that provide culturally competent practice.
5. Provide direct practice services that foster social and emotional competencies. 
6. Promote a coordinated response to the needs of students and their families struggling from the effects of trauma and increase their access to community resources.
7. Attend quarterly collaborative meetings to enhance coordination of services.
8. Promote and practice sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic differences among service populations.
9. Help create a sense of belonging by building trusting, healthy developmental relationships and working to make sure students feel seen, heard, and valued
10. Encourage and provide emotional support for students’ parents / guardians
11. Help to remove barriers that exist with access to healthcare
12. Help lead efforts to improve student attendance
13. Collect non-identifying data and outcomes regarding students and families served, and provide quarterly progress reports
14. Coordinate with school leaders, i.e. principals, school social workers, school counselors, and special education case managers
15. Educate students’ teachers about the effects of trauma and advocate on behalf of students who are experiencing mental health challenges
16. Other duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; occasionally walk and stand. The ability to hear and see in order to communicate effectively as well as communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties; Maintain mental capacity, allowing for effective interaction and communication with others. 

Occasionally may need to lift up to fifty (50); reaching, standing, walking, carrying, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, sitting, and/or crawling within the classroom.

The employee may encounter situations where students are physically aggressive and/or verbally abusive. This may require physical interaction (using strategies acquired through de-escalation and restraint training) between the employee and student. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee may be exposed to infection at a greater risk than the average person. May be directly responsible for the safety, well-being and/or output of students.

Evaluation:  Annual written evaluation completed by Executive Director of Special Education

Benefits:  Employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health Insurance and other voluntary benefits at:  https://www.gfschools.org/Page/596

Leave benefits (sick, holiday, vacation) can be viewed in the Classified Personnel Policy Manual at https://www.gfschools.org/Page/602

Position open until filled.