We support employees furthering education, ongoing training, quality supervision, and training in evidence-supported practices. The Mental Health Specialist (MHS) is responsible for providing instruction as well as monitoring effective individualized mental health programs for each assigned youth. The MHS also assists the classroom team within the school setting to provide mental health treatment and education.

Essential Responsibilities & Role

To assure effective mental health programming and education to increase each youth’s adaptive social and coping skills and appropriate program decorum, the MHS will: 

• administer assessments and complete necessary documentation related to the assessments;
• implement Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP);
• implement, and monitor individual and group interventions and contracts in accordance with Mental Health Treatment Plan goals;
• complete daily progress notes, mental health treatment plan reviews, attendance information
• facilitate affective/psychoeducational groups and lessons on skill streaming, community meetings, Aggression Replacement Training, social skills, etc.
• demonstrate a proficient level of cultural sensitivity;
• actively implement components of all Re-ED values in the program, , home, and community settings
• serve as a contributing member responsible for the education of mental health development of students

To assure comprehensive documentation of all youth progress, the MHS will: 

• complete record-keeping procedures for team meetings, including preparation of information to report to team mates (e.g., daily progress notes)
• follow designated program policy regarding the documentation of critical incidents
• completes daily partial hospital attendance sheet;
• using program-designated format, contribute information towards youth progress for discharge summaries.
• utilize technology through electronic documentation, electronic communication, and use of the internet to supplement programming and communication.
• provide documentation that is in compliance with program procedures, State licensing, and Medicaid regulations. Sign off on various documentation per program procedures and licensing regulations.
• complete written work that is legible accurate and uses professional clinical language.
• meet time lines for submitting paperwork

To assure the continuous safety of all youth, the MHS will: 

• directly supervise assigned youth via visual and auditory contact at all times during program day unless otherwise arranged;
• follow program-designated procedures for all physical contact with youth during physical restraints, searches and so on;
• follow program-designated procedures for handling illness and injury, including arranging necessary medical care--(with the approval of the Nurse and Coordinator or Program Director)—informing appropriate persons of the situation, and documenting the injury/illness and actions taken;
• according to a designated schedule, supervise youth arrival and departure to from program;
• assist other staff, as needed, in physical interventions to protect youth and staff from injury
• detect and remediate, with the Coordinator of Program Services’ approval, if necessary, potentially dangerous environmental conditions (e.g., broken glass);
• when transporting youth, maintain safe driving procedures
• Assist in development and implementation of, program based, crises safety plan.

To assure the continuing development of professional skills, the MHS will: 

• participate in all regularly scheduled in service programs;
• with the approval of the Coordinator, periodically serve on program committees;
•  with the approval of the Program/ Director, periodically attend local, state, or national conferences and workshops.

To promote the professional image of Pressley Ridge in local, state, and national communities, the MHS will: 

• with the approval of the Program Director, provide inservice/training programs to other programs;
• with the approval of the Program Director, give formal presentations on program-relevant issues at local, state, or national workshops or conventions.