Mental Health Practioner

A Mental Health Practitioner works under the direction of the ARMHS Treatment Director and under the clinical supervision of the ARMHS Clinical Supervisor in the delivery of Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS) to adults with mental illness. Mental Health Practitioners work with clients in their home/community on person centered goals to help restore psychiatric stability, manage mental health symptoms, and improve functioning in their lives.

Mental Health Practitioners must be qualified in one of the four following ways:

• holds a bachelor's degree in one of the behavioral sciences or related fields from an accredited college or university and meets criteria in either (a) or (b):

a) has at least 2,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to persons with mental illness.

b) is fluent in the non-English language of the ethnic group to which at least 50 percent of the practitioner's clients belong, completes 40 hours of training in the delivery of services to persons with mental illness, and receives clinical supervision from a mental health professional at least once a week until the requirement of 2,000 hours of supervised experience is met.

• has at least 4,000 hours of work experience in the delivery of services to persons with mental illness
• is a graduate student in one of the behavioral sciences or related fields and is formally assigned by an accredited college or university to an agency or facility for clinical training.
• holds a master's or other graduate degree in one of the behavioral sciences or related fields from an accredited college or university.

Qualifications also include computer knowledge and skills, especially in Microsoft Office Suite. Must be able to become proficient in other electronic platforms as required for the position.

Essential Functions:

• Teach skills through instruction, modeling, and guidance to support client(s) in achieving identified goals as written in Individual Treatment Plan as written.
• Develop and update client’s LOCUS, functional assessment, and Individual Treatment Plans.
• Form professional relationships with clients and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy, and culture.
• Document service delivery according to established policies and procedures.
• Ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in line with professional and agency standards. Understanding of confidential record keeping practices.
• Review and reflect on own practice and performance through regular participation in professional supervision and appraisal and amend practice and accept direction when necessary.
• Exercise good personal time management and consistent, reliable punctuality.
• Participate in team meetings, as well as support and participate in common teamwork.
• As part of a team, incorporate up-to-date techniques and ideas of positive practice.
• Highly developed communication skills to ensure the development of effective therapeutic relationships with clients, to include an ability with nonverbal cues. Ability to report both informally and formally at meetings on clients’ performance.
• Basic computer skills, previous knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, etc.
• To undertake any other appropriate additional duties as required.
• Meet ongoing requirements to maintain required certifications and participate in professional training and development as assigned.

Preferred Knowledge Areas:

• Understand the causes and symptoms of mental health issues, a knowledge of coping skills, risk assessment, family dynamics and supports, crisis management, relapse prevention, conflict resolution skills, have analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of substance abuse and co-occurring mental illness and how they intersect.
• Understand crisis management and the ability to deal with life threatening situations including the prevention of suicide.
• Knowledge and experience creating treatment plans, writing progress notes, and creating client assessments.