Mental Health Specialist -(through June 30, 2025 via Stronger Connection Grant)

HOKE COUNTY SCHOOLS
Time-Limited Position

JOB TITLE: Mental Health Specialist

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

The school based Mental Health Specialist develops, implements, and coordinates a mental
health program/services with the school, providing screening, evaluation, intervention services
and transition planning. Skilled provision of mental health services (acute or chronic) of both
students and educational staff, when working with students with mild to serious health
impairments, is expected to analyze risk, problem solve effectively and demonstrate a high
level of professional judgment when recommending and providing services, making
environmental modifications and training staff to manage physical needs. School Mental
Health Specialist is also responsible for planning intervention activities, preparing evaluation
reports, and documenting student progress.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS SUMMARY:
The School-based Mental Health Specialist will be responsible for providing services related to
the delivery of mental health services to assigned students at the designated school locations
and will provide consultation services to the school staff to support the overall mental health
goals of the school.
Identification, Evaluation, and Planning
-Collaborates with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student
occupational performance strengths and needs, through evaluation, educational
program planning, and service delivery
-Assess student’s ability using appropriate evaluation tools, observations,
functional assessments, and review of medical and other agency reports
-Conducts interviews with parents and staff to determine the need for a threat
assessment plan.
-Synthesizes evaluation results into comprehensive written report, which
reflects strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational
environment directly related to referral concern
-Develops and implements intervention strategies.

-Participates in interdisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, offer
recommendations, and develop individualized education plans and intervention plans
for the students.
-Establish positive and trusting relationships with students and staff
-Implement various treatments strategies and protocols to provide guidance and
appropriately address students and staff situations
-Continually assess students and staff situations and provide the proper ongoing
consultation.
-Consults with a school–based team to achieve student outcomes.
-Educate and involve family members or other loved ones in the intervention strategies
plan when necessary
-Record and maintain adequate notes about students and staff visits- Implement a process of referral for students and staff to outside sources or agencies
that can better address their specific needs when needed
-Maintain the strictest confidentiality of students and staff situation

Service Delivery
-Works independently and as part of a team
-Consults with school–based teams to achieve student outcomes
-Create an intervention plan based on needs and monitor progress.
-Exemplifies excellent interpersonal communication skills with the ability to actively
listen
-Develops solid relationship-building capabilities
-Pays strong attention to detail and effectively manage time and prioritize needs
-Ability to work with culturally diverse students, staff, and administration
-Facilitate sessions with individuals, groups, or families to address areas of
needed support such as:
*Anger Management
*Anxiety
*Bullying
*Cyber-bullying
*Conflict Resolution

* Social Skills

Program Administration and Management
*Demonstrate respect for and support of school’s mission, vision, expectations, and
philosophies, through words and actions
*Demonstrate professional conduct, judgment, and decision-making that is in keeping with
your role as a Mental Health Professional
*Maintains administrative records in accordance with professional standards, state
guidelines, and school system policy
*Logs services in electronic data management system for each session provided
*Completes quarterly progress reports for students who receive direct therapy
*Mental health specialist should always be confidential, ethical, and cohesive
*Uses professional Code of Ethics and standards of practice to guide ethical
decision making in practice

ADDITIONAL JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Must possess a strong knowledge of the common diagnoses and treatments for school-aged
children and possess the skills necessary to facilitate positive change in a school environment.
Performs other related work as required by the principal.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

A Master’s degree from an accredited University or College in the field of Psychology, Social
Work, Counseling Education or Human Services field.
Licensed in the State of North Carolina to provide mental health services (LPC, LSW, LCSW,
etc.), preferred

Salary : $42,000 - $47,000