Licensed Master Social Worker/Mental Health Counselor

Title: Licensed Masters Social Worker/Mental Health Counselor

Reports to: Clinical Coordinator

Location: Campus

Department: Clinical Services

FLSA: Exempt

Position Summary

The licensed social worker or mental health counselor, school psychologist or other mental health field is a licensed master’s (or Doctoral) degree professional in one of the aforementioned fields of study. This person is legally authorized to provide mental health services in New York state. They are a member of the clinical department reporting to the Clinical Coordinator or their designee.

This individual leads the care coordination of the student on their caseload and works collaboratively with education, clinical and campus life staff as well as parents, students, to develop plans and strategies to improve students’ academic performance, mental health and social development in accordance with the student’s transition planning. Our counselors support the design and implementation of the ITEP serving as an integral part of our team. As a key member of the transdisciplinary team and the hub of treatment planning, the clinician has significant communication obligations to the team and the parents/guardians of the students on their caseloads. The Clinician will conduct behavioral, transitional, and social assessments to formulate social supports, therapy (family, individual, and group) and/or behavior plans, as appropriate. Having access to confidential information, discretion and independent judgement is required.

Essential Functions – Primary duties of the position

• Conducts comprehensive assessments and reassessments of a student's functional, behavioral, emotional, and transitional needs.
• Develops, implements and supports data collection systems for students across academic, community and campus life areas as relevant and necessary.
• Analyze data and progress of students regarding their ongoing functional, behavioral and emotional needs to make programmatic changes to advance the student.
• Utilizes a variety of treatment approaches that are safe, creative and individualized to a particular student's needs. These treatment modalities are student centered, strength based, empathic, and creative to address each student's particular needs
• Treats the family unit by engaging in/facilitating family therapy, parent training, and on campus visitation as clinically appropriate.
• Collaborates, develops and implements, including training of personnel, in behavior support plans (BIP, ISP, FBAs others) to support implementation and to improve behavioral outcomes for our students.
• Works with the students in their environment, requiring flexible clinical processes and scheduling requiring after hours and occasional week-end/holiday availability.
• Handles group counseling sessions for designed cohorts as needed and required
• Provides Crisis management and Classroom push in/pull out support as necessary.
• Collaborates with clinicians, and members of Shrub Oak International’s Education and Campus Life (and other area) teams to ensure that each student's progress is holistic, integrated, and takes into account each student's ITEP goals, progress and developmental needs
• Proactively maintains open lines of communication with care providers, students, family members to effectively address student progress, development and emergencies, as needed.
• Maintains appropriate records and reports as required
• Participates in clinical and Shrub Oak activities to advance field knowledge and engages in activities to remain at the forefront of professional development and advancements
• Actively assists with other programs, events, and services administered through Shrub Oak and has the opportunity to be involved in a wider range of responsibilities
• Remains up to date on clinical matters, to maintain best in class knowledge of evaluation, intervention and areas under his/her responsibility
• Participates, as needed, in community and professional education regarding clinical matters, life skills independence and related areas
• Performs any other responsibilities as needed and required

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

• A New York State License or license eligible, and is in good professional standing
• Master’s degree in social work, school psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or mental health counseling is required
• Experience working with students with developmental disabilities or on the autistic spectrum is strongly preferred; school experience is a plus

Competencies

• Exceptional communication (oral and written) and active listening skills to appropriately understand and meet student needs. Must also be able to effectively communicate and interact with faculty, staff, families, and all external constituencies
• Comprehensive knowledge of clinical services and their complementary results on student development
• Excellent analytical capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to understand, problem solve, and make sound determinations/decisions in situations with complex facts and data
• Demonstrated ability to achieve desired results working collaboratively in a dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders while being sensitive and responsive to the diverse needs of students, families, faculty, and staff, with a high degree of cultural competency and collegiality
• Ability to effectively and proactively interact with a wide variety of individuals in a manner that values diversity, and positively portrays our programs, personnel and philosophies
• Ability to adapt, remain flexible
• Demonstrated ability to have a sense of urgency, ability to make sound and appropriate decisions under pressure where situations/circumstances are continually evolving
• Ability to multi-task, and handle multiple situations with discretion, and sensitivity to a variety of factors, while exercising sound judgment
• Demonstrated ability to be a team player and work cross-functionally with other disciplines and with other areas of Shrub Oak
• Computer proficiency and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other software, and ability to learn Azimuth SIS, our database management software provider

Supervisory Responsibility

Potentially, interns as needed

What are the nature and scope of independent decisions made in this position?

Must be able to think analytically, critically, assessing a variety of information to make complex judgements on student situations, outcomes, Shrub Oak policies and protocol

Work Environment

Participate and work in all areas of the campus, indoors and outdoors

Physical Demands

Workday regularly includes multiple or conflicting demands, deadlines and time pressures; work regularly requires sustained concentration. Sitting at a desk, walking up and down stairs (building has 6 floors), around a hilly campus as needed, may also require walking between floors or between buildings at a moment’s notice. Crisis intervention and support on occasion.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a 12-month full time position. Full time staff work a traditional 40-hour work week. Demands of the job may require work outside these hours and on weekends as needed and required.

Other unique responsibilities or conditions not previously listed i.e. bilingual, driver’s license, etc.

Valid driver’s license is preferred, driving abstract required.

EEO Statement

Shrub Oak is an equal employment opportunity employer. Shrub Oak International School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for a job or to perform the essentials functions of their job. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.

Shrub Oak International School maintains a smoke-free environment to ensure the health and safety of our students, employees and community. Smoking or vaping of any kind is strictly prohibited indoors, outdoors, and during off-campus activities, with enforcement measures in place including smoke/vape detectors. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action disciplinary action including termination.