School Based Mental Health Therapist

Mary's Center is committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within our organization and the communities we serve. We embrace diversity of experiences, ideas, and individuals, and seek to bring a diverse group of candidates to the table.

Important Note: Mary's Center is mandating the COVID-19 vaccine + booster for all staff.

Position Summary

The School Based Mental Health Therapist is responsible for the coordination of service delivery to clients with mental health concerns and in providing the following core services primarily (but not limited to) the school setting: diagnostic and assessment, counseling and psychotherapy, community support, mental health prevention, awareness, and intervention. This may include providing support and training to teachers, administrators, and parents; raising awareness of mental health issues on a broader level to de-stigmatize mental health issues, provide support for student Individualized Education Program's (IEP) and Behavioral Intervention Plan's (BIP). We are seeking for FT therapists. Starting salary $75,000 (LGSW, LMSW or LGPC), or $78,000 (LICSW or LPC).

Reportability

This position will report directly to the Senior Clinical Manager of School-Based Mental Health.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Complete a diagnostic assessment on all clients referred, gathering information from referral source, client chart and other pertinent sources, including family members and past providers of care.
• Determine DSM-5 diagnosis.
• Complete treatment plan and authorizations for services as required by individual insurance payers.
• Provide individual, group, and family therapy to assist clients in their insight development and achievement.
• Maintain ongoing contact with families and significant others to update them to the clients' progress in treatment.
• Apply crisis management skills when necessary to stabilize the clients in the program.
• Conduct workshops and presentations for teachers and parents of early warning signs of mental health disorders.
• Implement curriculums for students on stress management, suicide prevention, substance abuse or other concerns deemed pertinent to the need of assigned school site.
• Provide consultations for teachers to give guidance and feedback on classroom management for students with mental health diagnoses.
• Conducting universal screenings to promote early identification of mental health issues.
• Participate in the school support team and other entities to promote the socio-emotional and academic wellness of students.
• Complete treatment plans and crisis plans, with client and relevant service providers as well as reviewing the treatment plan every 6 months.
• Complete Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) every three months as well as other pertinent screening tools and assessments deemed important for diagnosis and treatment.
• Document all contacts, referrals, and other necessary information
• Accept cultural diversity and integrate the family's values and culture into initial conversations.
• Explain worker's role, responsibilities, and client's rights, including confidentiality and mandated reporting.
• Maintain client records that are accurate, comprehensive and adhere to documentation policies.
• Complete billing and documentation requirements on a timely basis, preferably within 48 hours.
• Meet billing expectations that are determined on a yearly basis.
• Provide clinical supervision to licensed graduate social workers, interns, and others, as needed.
• Understand and apply state and federal confidentiality regulations regarding clients' records and correspondence.
• Maintain monthly statistics and provide reports as needed to Manager/Program Director.
• Participate in and help facilitate case reviews of clients.
• Participate in and help facilitate treatment team meetings.
• Participate in organization-wide and division-wide meetings and committees, departmental meetings and other meetings/conferences as assigned.
• Provide 24-hour on-call phone support to clients in rotation with other therapists, 1-2 weeks per year or more as needed.
• Identify and participate in other training or committees that can further professional growth.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager of School-Based Mental Health.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience - This position requires a master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related field and a license (LGPC, LGSW, LPC, LICSW) in the District of Columbia. The ability to communicate proficiently in English is required. The ability to communicate in Spanish (or another language outside of English) is preferred but not required. Working knowledge of Windows and Word; knowledge of patient confidentiality issues and HIPAA compliance/regulation are essential.

Physical Demands - Regularly required to sit; frequently required to reach with hands and arms, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear; must be able to lift objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

Work Environment -Mostly in a typical office with quiet to moderate noise level. May be exposed to extreme cold, heat, and humidity due to outside weather conditions.

The Benefits:

• Health Insurance: medical, dental & vision - plus retirement options through 403(b) contribution and investment opportunities
• 25 days of paid leave annually (in addition to paid holidays), plus 5 educational days
• Tuition reimbursement of $2000/year towards education assistance and professional development
• Transportation subsidy via metro & bus
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)