Job Description:
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
For full job description please visit us at www.pasd.com/vacancies
Position Purpose
Under the general supervision of the Supervisor of Specialized Programs and Services, to provide a comprehensive program of direct school-based mental health services for students utilizing the expertise gained through professional training in the areas of school counseling and mental health. These services will emphasize counseling children; consultation with teachers, parents and other significant adults; and coordinating a variety of activities and functions related to the mental health, academic, social, emotional and physical needs of students. This role will involve tier 3 interventions and support as well as the completion of risk and threat assessments.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Provides individual and group interventions to students identified in need of school-based mental health supports.
• Completes crisis assessments to recommend the appropriate level of assessment and care.
• Consults with teachers and parents about children's needs, social emotional well-being, concerns and academic issues.
• Collaborates with school staff and community representatives in assessing student needs and utilizes the data to develop prevention and intervention plans.
• Assists families to make needed referrals to community resources for problems interfering with the child's academic progress, social, emotional or physical development.
• Works with parents and staff to help increase their understanding and constructive participation in appropriate efforts to help alleviate barriers to students' social emotional well-being,
• Refers students to the proper authorities for child abuse or neglect when suspicion exists and provides support services to those children as needed.
• Selects and attends professional development as required by the State and District
• Maintains all professional certifications and Licensure requirements.
• Willingness to provide clinical supervision to peers.
• Skills and knowledge in dealing with multicultural populations
• Eligibility to complete School Based Access Program reimbursement requests and supporting documentation.
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research, and by maintaining professional relationships with members of institutions of higher learning and the business community.
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping and providing student information to prospective colleges and employers, as required by district procedures and applicable laws.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Travel Requirements
Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of school-based mental health interventions and crisis assessments.
• Knowledge of community based mental health services and systems.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and mental health.
• Ability to use computer network system and software applications as needed.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate in more than one language or the willingness to learn to communicate in more than one language at the novice level of proficiency (preferred).

Qualifications Profile

• PA License: counseling, social work, or psychology
• Pennsylvania Department of Education Certification as a School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker; pending certification or eligible for emergency certification
• Motor Vehicle Operator's License or ability to provide own transportation.

Education

• Masters Degree or Doctoral Degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, psychology, social work, or closely related field.

Experience
Successful prior experience providing school-based mental health services and crisis intervention.