Job Description

Job Title: School Behavioral

Health Counselor CLASSIFICATION RANGE POSITION STATUS Regular DEPARTMENT: Special Education FLSA STATUS Exempt REPORTS TO: Assistant Superintendent of Special Education FULL/PART TIME Full Time

• POSITION FUNCTION SUMMARY
  
  

The School Behavioral Health Counselor will provide individual, group, and family counseling in the general education setting to students based on referrals from staff and the counselor’s evaluation of need. A School Behavioral Health Counselor supports school staff in understanding the importance of positive climate and culture, social emotional learning, and practices that support mental health in the school environment. This person will be involved in decision making processes related to the education of students on his/her caseload.

• ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  
  

The following statements are essential functions of this position and not intended to be all-inclusive; rather, they are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the employee. The incumbent will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other reasonably related job duties and responsibilities duties, requested by their supervisor. Carlsbad Municipal Schools reserves the right to revise or change the job duties and responsibilities as the need arises, based on business need, and this Job Description may be updated accordingly. This Job Description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

• School Behavioral Health Counselor Duties and Responsibilities

• Employ appropriate methods of practice that enable students and families to function adequately within their educational and community settings by
• ? providing individual, group, and family counseling to students
• ? providing intensive crisis intervention to remedy effects of abuse, neglect, adverse childhood experiences, or
• exploitation of children
• ? providing appropriate interventions in situations detrimental to the physical, mental, educational, and/or emotional
• well-being of the student
• Create and implement a referral process for school-based counseling services.
• Provide interventions in a timely manner and taking into consideration the severity of each case.
• Evaluate all relevant information regarding a referred case.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary efforts for the management of cases when appropriate.
• Document medical and educational necessity within a plan of care and/or progress notes.
• Formulate goals and objectives for the plan of care for each case and tailor clinical interventions to planned goals and objectives.
• Maintain a counseling schedule that meets the individual needs of students referred for services.
• Document services provided and complete supporting documentation using standards set forth by the Medicaid School Based Services (MSBS) program.
• Provide or contribute to prevention and intervention programs that promote the mental health and physical well-being of students.
• Supports school staff in understanding the importance of positive climate and culture, social emotional learning, and practices that support mental health in the school environment, both at the school and student level.
• Determine how services in the local community may be beneficial to the student, their family, and the family involvement in the academic process.
• Provide support and encouragement to students, parents, and staff in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
• Develop a caring relationship with students and caregivers and show consideration of their feelings, opinions, and suggestions.
• Promote respect and positive interpersonal relationships among students and families.
• Maintain an up-to-date log, indicating types of referrals received, dates, and status of referral and referral sources.
• Conduct risk and threat assessments, interventions, and referrals as necessary for crisis intervention.
• Participate in re-entry plan meetings for students returning to school after a mental health related hospitalization, residential treatment placement, or incarceration.
• Participate in an assessment of need for ongoing behavioral health services in the school setting, for the student.
• Provide ongoing behavioral health interventions as deemed necessary.
• Understand the cultural context of relationships, issues, and trends in a multicultural and diverse society related to such factors as culture, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental and physical characteristics, education, family values, religious and spiritual beliefs, and socioeconomic status, and unique characteristics of individuals, couples, families, ethnic groups, and communities.
• Demonstrate professional knowledge and skills in dealing with mental health as they relate to students’ functioning and achievement in school.
• Demonstrate knowledge of educational foundations, including:
• organization and operation of schools
• the organization and administration of school counseling services, including record keeping; the social, philosophical, historical, and cultural issues in education; setting intervention programs and strategies; and the current identification, referral, and placement procedures for students with mental health issues.
• Demonstrate knowledge of human development and psychopathology and associated biological, cultural, and social influences on human behavior.
• General Duties and Responsibilities
• Works collaboratively, cooperatively, and in coordination with fellow team members and with others in the organization, treats them with respect, courtesy, and consideration, and shows understanding and the appropriate support of other team members to help get the job done.
• Provides assistance, information, guidance, and resources to students, colleagues and stakeholders; treats them in a friendly manner with professionalism, helpfulness, respect, courtesy, and consideration at all times regardless of circumstances.
• Maintains regular, dependable attendance and punctuality, and physical or virtual presence as may be required at the assigned worksite; must interact directly with people at the worksite on a regular basis.
• Complies with and actively supports all applicable workplace environmental health and safety policies, work rules, and practices, giving maximum effort to performing job functions in a manner that protects the health and safety of the employee data, and /or sensitive information, and an essential job duty is the maintenance of strict confidentiality of such information in accordance with Carlsbad Municipal Schools policy, and federal/state/local laws and regulations (e.g., HIPPA, FERPA, etc.).
• Performs other duties as assigned and which are deemed necessary or desirable by the building principal or the Superintendent.
• CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS CORE VALUES, BEHAVIORS, & PRACTICES

As a requirement of their employment, all CMS employees are expected and required to support and demonstrate CMS’s core values and behaviors and to perform the essential functions and elements of this position competently. Employees are expected to demonstrate these values and behaviors through their behavior and performance throughout the course of the introductory period of employment and continuing throughout employment with CMS. The values, behaviors, and competencies that need to be demonstrated by all CMS employees include but are not limited to:

• Quality/Compliance: Achieving a standard of excellence with our work processes and outcomes, and honoring CMS policies and all regulatory requirements.
• Customer/Client Focus: Striving for high external and internal customer/client satisfaction, going out of our way to be helpful and pleasant, making it as easy as possible on the customer/client, rather than on self, department, or organization.
• Clear Communication: Expresses oneself clearly and effectively when speaking and writing to individuals and groups; listens attentively and ensures all parties involved understand communication; responds in a timely manner using appropriate communication methods.
• Interpersonal Skills: Interacts effectively with others using discretion, empathy and self-regulation when working toward resolution of divergent interests; recognizes and appreciates the unique traits of others.
• Professional Expertise: Achieves a proficient level of ability of knowledge in job related areas; continues to grow with the changing requirements of the job and maintains an awareness and application of CMS’s policies, procedures, and objectives in one’s effort.
• Adaptability: Adjusts to changing circumstances by altering attitudes and behaviors; displays resilience and flexibility in response to setbacks and stressful situations with energy and optimism.
• Collegiality: Being helpful, respectful, approachable, and team oriented, building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Initiative: Takes action to influence events, generate ideas for improvement, takes advantage of opportunities, and does not wait to be told what to do next.
• Efficiency and Continuous Improvement: Planning ahead, managing time well, being on time, being cost conscious, thinking of better ways to do things.
• Coachability: Being receptive to feedback, willing to learn, embracing continuous improvement in personal and professional growth & development, performance, and productivity.
• Team Player: able to work collaboratively with others in the organization, and to work well with diverse groups of people and gain and maintain respect of others, both inside and outside CMS.
• Decision Making: Uses sound judgment to make good decisions based on information gathered and considers all pertinent facts and alternatives before deciding. Commits to decision.
• Performance Standards: Sets and maintains high performance standards. Pays close attention to detail, accuracy and completeness and follows up on work outputs.
• Problem Solving: Analyzes problems by gathering and organizing all relevant information. Identifies cause and effect relationships and comes up with best solution.
• Integrity: Shares complete and accurate information. Maintains confidentiality and meets own commitments and adheres to organizational policies and procedures.
• Motivation: Displays energy and enthusiasm, commits additional effort, and maintains a high level of productivity and self-direction.
  
  

Position Specifications

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not subject to the

organization’s policies and procedures pertaining to overtime hours.

This position is FLSA-Exempt under the Executive Exemption (29 CFR 541.100).

• Independency of Action; Supervision Received:
  
  

The School Behavioral Health Counselor will be supervised by the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education, Mental Health Specialist and Principal.

• Coordination and Cooperation with Internal and External Parties:
  
  

It is the responsibility of every employee to represent Carlsbad Municipal Schools by responding to the stakeholders, employees, students, and others promptly, professionally and with courtesy. This includes regarding everyone, internal and external, as a customer and delivering the best service possible in a respectful and patient manner. Every employee must be able to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with all those contacted in the course of work.

• POSITION QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
  
  

As a requirement of employment, all Carlsbad Municipal Schools employees are expected and required to perform the essential functions and elements of this position competently, demonstrating adequate progress throughout the course of the training and introductory period of employment and continuing throughout employment with Carlsbad Municipal Schools. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• ADA Accommodations Disclosure
  
  

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Carlsbad Municipal Schools is required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship. Qualified employees are those who hold the necessary degrees, skills, and experience for the job; and who can perform the essential responsibilities with or without an accommodation.

• Education and Experience
  
  

Required

• Hold a department-issued license for at least one of the following:
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
• License Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Valid New Mexico PED School Behavioral Health Counselor license as required by the State of New Mexico.
• Experience in working with children experiencing behavioral health issues.
• Language Requirements (Required)

Ability to read and write English to understand and interpret written procedures and technical manuals. This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms and to effectively present information and respond to questions from supervisors, co-workers, students, and stakeholders.

• Core Competencies Required
• Complex Problem Solving- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Critical Thinking- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Judgement and Decision Making- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Inductive Reasoning- The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Deductive Reasoning- The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Oral Expression- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Problem Sensitivity- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
• Written Expression- The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Training/Professional Development Requirements:
• Must complete all Carlsbad Municipal Schools required safety, knowledge of universal hygiene precautions, and other training within required timeframes.
• Must obtain required health and safety training within 30 days of the date of hire.
• Must successfully pass and maintain training certification required by Carlsbad Municipal Schools, and/or other training requirements of the position and job assignment.
• Additional training requirements for this position may be mandated by Carlsbad Municipal Schools.
• Tools and Equipment Used:
  
  

An employee in this position must be knowledgeable and willing to learn how to operate multi-media equipment to include current technology:

• Standard office equipment
• Carlsbad Municipal School’s system and software.
• Testing kits, including IQ, achievement, and specialized area tests
• Wheelchairs
• Adaptive equipment seating devices
• Walkers
• Crutches
• Assistive devices
• Therapeutic equipment
• Therapy balls
• Bolster
• Weights
• Any other piece of equipment deemed necessary by Carlsbad Municipal Schools
• Other
  
  

Additional drug screening and background investigations may be required depending on the job assignment, regulatory or policy requirements, job transfer, or in accordance with Carlsbad Municipal Schools Drug-Free Workplace policy.

• Physical & Mental Demands
  
  

The physical and mental demands, and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Physical Effort and Demand
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
• Bending at waist, kneeling, or crouching
• Reaching overhead, above shoulders and horizontally
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Visual Acuity, Hearing, Speaking, Manual Dexterity
• Dexterity of hands and fingers as a need to do written work and handle technology.
• Seeing to read a variety of materials.
• Hearing, speaking, and writing to exchange information.
• Mental Demand
• Mental and emotional stamina to endure long hours under sometimes stressful conditions.
• Effective performance requires continual thinking and attention to work/detail demanded by the essential functions of the job.
• Must be able to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and initiate appropriate course of actions.
• Environment/Working Conditions
• The work environment is primarily in an office setting, both indoor and outdoor.
• Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality.
• Interruptions of work are routine. Flexibility and patience are required.
• Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision.
• May make site visits when needed and appropriate.
• Must be able to work under stressful conditions.
• Occasional after hours work may be required.

• Terms of Employment
• Primary job location is determined yearly by Administration as space is available.
• Salary and work year to be established by the Board.
  

VII. Employee Acceptance

By my signature below, I certify that I have read my Job Description and understand my assigned responsibilities and have been given a copy of this job description.

Employee- please initial each of these statements below to indicate your agreement, in addition to your signature at the bottom of this page:

I acknowledge that I have been given access to a print and/or electronic copy of the Employment Policy Manual and understand that I am responsible for reading and following all relevant policies and procedures outlined in it. I understand that I am responsible for following all departmental and job-specific policies, procedures, work rules and other guidelines. I understand that Carlsbad Municipal Schools can change compensation, benefits, and conditions of my employment at any time and at its full and sole discretion to meet the needs of the school district. I further understand that the foregoing Job Description is not all-inclusive of the duties to which I may be assigned. To meet business needs, ensure maximum flexibility and efficiency, and to encourage cross training, I acknowledge that I may be assigned additional duties as are deemed necessary or desirable by Carlsbad Municipal Schools. I acknowledge that Carlsbad Municipal Schools also reserves the exclusive right to transfer, assign, or locate the employee to another job assignment within this job title for which I am qualified. Such a transfer, a re-assignment or re-location may be on either a temporary or regular basis and shall be done to meet the business needs of Carlsbad Municipal Schools. I also certify that I can perform the essential functions of this Job Description either with or without a reasonable accommodation. I further acknowledge that this Job Description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment with Carlsbad Municipal Schools.