Position Details

School-Based Mental Health Therapist

Reports to: Child and Family Services Supervisor

Pay Range: $80,000 to $87,000 per year (DOE/DOQ)

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 40 hours/week

Benefits:

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Vacation, Sick Leave, Float Days & Paid Holidays
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan
  • Life Insurance
  • Long Term Disability
  • Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs
  • LifeFlight Membership
  • Education Allowance

JOB PURPOSE: Works as a part of the outpatient clinical team inside of the school to provide effective behavioral health services, including processing referrals, diagnostic evaluations and screenings, evidence-based psychotherapy, treatment planning, appointment scheduling, and crisis intervention. The Mental Health Therapist ensures that services are provided in a manner that is timely, necessary, and congruent with the age, strengths, and cultural framework of the individual.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Responsible for processing and tracking all referrals coming in from school providers for clinical services.
  • Facilitate client self-referrals to initiate or re-engage in services by phone or walk in to maximize quality and minimize barriers to patient care.
  • Provides an array of therapy services including individual and/or family and group psychotherapy if needed with emphasis on skill development to improve the functioning of client.
  • Screens clients and provides comprehensive bio-psycho-social clinical assessments to identify mental health diagnosis and medical necessity.
  • Develops individualized treatment plans, documenting problems, needs, and measurable outcomes.
  • Provides ongoing assessment of a client's cognitive, emotional, physical, social, and vocational strengths and needs.
  • Evaluate appropriateness of school-based treatment and coordinate referrals within the agency or to external providers to ensure continuity of care across service settings.
  • Collaborate with school personnel (administrators, counselors, teachers, nurses, and special education teams) to support student behavioral health needs while maintaining client confidentiality.
  • Participates in multidisciplinary school meetings including MTSS, Student Support Teams, IEP, 504, or behavioral intervention planning when clinically appropriate.
  • Provides consultation to school staff regarding behavioral health concerns, classroom strategies, and trauma-informed practices within scope of role.
  • Conducts suicide risk assessments, safety planning, and crisis intervention services as clinically indicated.
  • Responds to behavioral health crises occurring on school grounds in accordance with agency and school district protocols.
  • Completes various documentation related to client's treatment in the agency's Electronic Health Record within the established time frames.
  • Maintains familiarity with and handles client information in accordance with Federal Regulations (42 CFR, Part 2), the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 71.05.390 and RCW 71.24), and other applicable laws pertaining to confidentiality of client and staff information.
  • Maintains physical security of confidential materials and assigned Agency property.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Participates in peer reviews to ensure that services are provided in compliance with State, SBH-ASO, and other contractual arrangements.
  • Participate in case reviews, staff meetings, and individual supervision as requested by Supervisor.
  • Maintains cordial and effective working relationships with community and governmental agencies, other professionals, consumers, and their families.
  • Maintains practice of consistently high standards of professional conduct in the performance of assigned duties and in interactions with clients, staff, and other community professionals.
  • Maintains timely and accurate chart information, in compliance with Washington State Law and Agency's Quality Assurance guidelines.
  • Provides psychoeducation groups, prevention programming, or classroom presentations related to mental health, coping skills, and wellness.
  • Maintains confidentiality of Agency and client information.
  • Maintains professional competencies through a program of professional development and in-services training.
  • Provides information and education in the community, representing self, and the Agency in a positive and professional manner.
  • Performs other tasks assigned by Supervisor.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

  • Maintains accurate, timely chart information in compliance with SBH-ASO and state funding sources and agency quality assurance guidelines.
  • Provides direct service to or on behalf of PBH clients for at least half of the hours worked annually.
  • Meet agency expectations for documentation of services.
  • Meets all contract obligations.
  • Coordinate and prioritize work assignments so that tasks are completed on time and in a quality manner.
  • Available to work one evening shift per week (until 7pm) as needed.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, LICENSE(S), CERTIFICATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Masters' Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field

Experience: Experience working with individuals with serious, persistent mental illness

If working with children: Previous experience working with children, adolescents and families providing behavioral health services

Licensure: Must hold or be eligible for credentialing in Washington State as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker Associate (LICSWA), or equivalent behavioral health associate credential prior to start date.

Additional requirements:

  • Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check.
  • Must be able to provide vaccination records for MMR, Hep B, Tdap and recent flu shot.

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS / EXPERIENCE:

Licensure: Washington State independent clinical license (LICSW, LMHC, or LMFT) or eligibility to apply

Experience:

  • Experience providing behavioral health services within a school or educational setting.
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience working with individuals affected by mental and behavioral health challenges.
  • Experience with co-occurring disorders treatment, individual and group therapy, or substance abuse treatment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Essential:

  • Ability to multitask and effectively manage a caseload of individuals and/or families with diverse needs.
  • Knowledge of the classification of mental disorders contained in the current DSM.
  • Knowledge of human development and family systems, and ability to integrate it into treatment planning and service delivery.
  • Ability to utilize standardized measurements to assess symptoms and progress.
  • Ability to educate clients about signs, symptoms, and recovery from mental illness.
  • Understanding of current knowledge on recovery.
  • Knowledge of community-based child serving systems.
  • Ability to coordinate care with multiple service providers.
  • Basic knowledge of psychotropic medications and side effects.
  • Ability to work independently and in a team.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Capability to use sound judgment in problem solving and clinical intervention.
  • Practice respectful communication with clients to enhance rapport and positive outcomes.
  • Ability to plan and prioritize work and meet the Agency's performance quality assurance and productivity standards.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Physical Demands:

  • While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with arms, talk, or listen. Peripheral vision is also required for this position.
  • Moderate physical effort occasionally lifts up to ten pounds.
  • Must be able to tolerate sitting or standing in an office, or community setting for the required number of hours in a workday.

Cognitive Skills:

  • Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
  • Must be able to enter data into a computerized electronic medical record.
  • Working Environment:
  • May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases.
  • Occasionally Exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors

Working Demands:

  • Frequent pressure due to schedule demands.
  • Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances.
  • Subject to varying and unpredictable situations.
  • Handles emergency or crisis situations.
  • Able to meet with clients in office and community settings.

Principal Challenges:

  • Working collaboratively with interdisciplinary staff.
  • Working collaboratively with clients, family members, and other community members.
  • Ensuring compliance with agency and funding standard for documentation and delivery of services.
  • Works with a wide variety of clients with serious, persistent mental illness.


*Peninsula Behavioral Health does not discriminate because of a person's presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity including transgender status, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions, age (40), honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, state employee or health care whistleblower status.