The Mental Health Counselor (MHC) will be a member of the campus support team that includes two mental health counselors, an external Council on Recovery Choices Education Specialist, and the school Chaplains, who report to the Dean of Religion. The responsibilities of the role are to:

• Advocate for the mental health needs of all students by constantly assessing student needs across the campus.
• Ensure clear and effective processes exist that support the campus in working with students in crisis or in need of mental health supports.
• Provide short-term counseling and crisis intervention focused on mental health and/or situational concerns such as grief or difficult transitions.
• Provide referrals to school and community resources that treat mental health issues (suicidal ideation, violence, abuse and depression) with the intent of removing barriers to learning and helping the student successfully return to the classroom.
• Conduct mental health and crisis assessments and help determine an individualized intervention plan for the student.
• Facilitate mental health and crisis follow-up communication with campus leadership, parents and other relevant entities.
• Recognize and address any social, emotional, and behavioral concerns that may get in the way of a student’s academic success.
• Coordinate external partners to ensure that effective referral services are available for students in need of long-term care.
• Demonstrate awareness of school and community needs and initiate activities to meet identified needs of students.
• Annually conduct needs assessments to determine appropriate levels of support at each grade level on the campus.
• Deliver instruction that proactively enhances awareness of mental health, promotes positive, healthy behaviors, and seeks to diminish the emotional challenges for students encountering mental health issues.
• Develop diversified supports for students to address a wide range of physical and/or emotional concerns that impact student learning, such as, divorce, illness, death, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, etc.
• Coordinate resources for students and families to address academic, behavioral, emotional, and social needs.
• Assists Council on Recovery Choices Education Specialist in developing, coordinating, and facilitating educational program components and preventative services.
• Assists in programming of education and preventative services for Interim Term.
• Develops and implements proactive intervention strategies for students, teachers, and families to alleviate or resolve stressors and remove barriers that interfere with student success.
• Develop and facilitate activities for the student Mental Health and Wellness club.
• Participate in student support group and counseling team meetings on a biweekly basis.
• Organizes and participates in regularly scheduled open house sessions with parents.
• Provides case management services including, but not limited to, referrals to community resources, collaboration with other professionals.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely records, as well as safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of information as required by law, school policy, and licensing requirements.
• Adheres to Federal and State mandated reporting requirements.
• Serves as a liaison between the student, home, school, private counseling facilities and community resources such as social services, court services, and family service agencies.
• Seek to continually update their professional knowledge to maintain licensure and provide current and relevant best practice evaluation and appraisal related to mental health risks.
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean of Religion, Associate Head of School, or Head of School.

Experience

• Master’s degree from an accredited four-year institution in school counseling, school psychology, social work, psychology, counseling or related field.
• 5+ years professional experience working in a mental health related field.
• Must hold one of the following license types: School Counselor Certification, LPC, LPC-I, LMSW, LCSW.
• Highly prefer experience and training in mental health support role within a learning or school environment with the secondary age students.
• Must have strong training/presentation experience.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office suite and database applications.

Qualifications

• Special knowledge/skills Implementation of accepted theories and techniques and appropriate to school counseling .
• Knowledge of state, local, and federal laws impacting the lives of students.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills for all stakeholder audiences, including parents, students, and administrators.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student records and information.
• Ability to maintain composure under pressure.
• Excellent organization skills are required.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Occasionally lifts up to 30 pounds.
• Generally, works in standard office conditions and climate.
• Works in a fast-paced environment dealing with a wide variety of deadlines and a varied and diverse array of contacts.
• Works with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress.
• Works at a desk and computer for extended periods of time.