Mental Health Professional

TWELVE MONTH POSITION

General Definition of Work:

Under the direction of the Principal of Cornerstone Learning Center, the primary role of the Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) is to provide services to those individuals with server/pervasive mental illness that cause impairments to daily functioning to help them achieve and maintain community stability and independence in the least restrictive environment possible. Also the QMHP will provide services to those individuals who require behavioral treatment interventions because of developmental delays and/or health conditions which are related to long term impairments in adaptive functioning.

Essential Functions/Typical Tasks:

(The following tasks are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Provide/conduct intensive group & individual counseling and case management to youths and their families.
• Work with students to foster the development of new improved coping, problem solving, and communication skills, case management, etc. and any goals as directly related to the client individualized service plan.
• Develop individualized service plans in conjunction with referring agencies, other social services professionals, and any stakeholder directly involved in the care of the youths and their families served.
• Educate family members regarding existing community services, and act as an advocate in connecting family members to these services.
• Respond or arrange for a response to call regarding student crisis.
• Maintain up-to-date client records, and prepare the necessary reports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Participate in clinical supervision sessions on a regular basis.
• Conduct or participate in case reviews and staffing as required.
• Attend court when necessary and maintain close coordination with referring agencies on a regular basis.
• Attend other appointments when necessary such as Doctors (Physician), Psychological/Psychiatric appointments, IEP meetings, etc.
• Work collaboratively with other stakeholders such as FAPT team members, School Officials, Social Workers, Probation Officers, etc.
• Establish a good working relationship with other public and private agencies/services, and interface collaboratively with them and document it in the client Contact Sheets.
• Support Directors and Administration as required.
• Assume self-empowerment, when applicable, to solve problems and act on opportunities, but maintain good communication with supervisor to be sure of the appropriateness of the actions taken.
• Other duties as deemed necessary by the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Principal.

Minimum Qualifications - Education and Experience:

To qualify as a QMHP (Qualified Mental Health Professional) to provide At School Services, the individual must have the designated clinical experience* and must meet one of the requirements below:

1. be a physician; or

ii    have a master’s degree in psychology or human services related field from an accredited college or university with at least one year of clinical experience; or

iii.  have a social work bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least one year of clinical experience with children or adolescents; or

1. be a registered nurse with at least one year of clinical experience with children and adolescents; or
2. have at least a bachelor’s degree in a human services field or in special education from an accredited college with at least one year of clinical experience with children and adolescents.

* Clinical experience means providing direct clinical services to children and adolescents with mental illness. It includes supervised internships, practicum’s, and field experience. A human services field is defined as social work, psychology, sociology, or counseling.

Special Requirements:

Ability to listen effectively; knowledge of child and adolescents development; knowledge of factors which may contribute to family dysfunction; knowledge of crisis intervention strategies; good problem solving skills; ability to maintain effective working relationship with other social services providers; service purchasers, and clients; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. This position requires a mandatory approved criminal registry and CPS check, certification in CPR/AED and First Aid, as well as behavior management training approved by the state of Virginia.

Possession of a driver’s license valid in the Commonwealth of Virginia.