JOB SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of a Mental Health Professional, provides rehabilitative mental health services that implement the goals and objectives of the individual treatment plan for a child/adult with mental health needs. These services are designed to meet specific mental health needs of the child/adult and support the family in activities of daily and community living. Services are also designed to improve the social functioning of the child/adult and in areas important to the child/adult’s establishing or maintaining residency in the community. Such services allow the child/adult to replace inappropriate skills with developmentally and therapeutically appropriate daily living skills, social skills and leisure and recreational skills which will reduce the risk of out of home placement. Services must assist the child/adult’s family in arranging crisis services. Services must be provided in the child/adult’s residence and other community or recreational setting. The CTSS/ARMHS Mental Health Practitioner may provide supervision of a Level 1 or Level 2 Mental Health Behavioral Aide, under the oversight of the Mental Health Professional.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

The Mental Health Practitioner must be at least 21 years of age and meet one of the following criteria:

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science/related field, from an accredited college / university and have completed 2000 hours of supervised clinical experience delivering clinical services to treat mental illness or child/adult with emotional disturbances;

OR

1. Have completed 6000 hours of supervised clinical services experience delivering mental illness treatment;

OR

1. Be an enrolled graduate student in behavioral science/related field formally assigned to the center for clinical training by accredited college/university

OR

1. Obtained a master’s degree/doctorate in behavioral science/related field from accredited college/university

The Mental Health Practitioner shall receive 36 hours of continuing education every two calendar years. Topics covered in training must be related to serving the needs of children/adults with emotional disturbance and conform to Minnesota Rules 9635.4068.

The Mental Health Practitioner must pass a criminal background check. S/he must also possess a valid driver’s license and maintain current automobile insurance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

A. Clinical Responsibilities are conducted under the supervision of the Mental Health Professional, and include: 

• Providing services to improve the functioning of the child/adult and support the family in activities of daily and community living. The Mental Health Practitioner will follow the treatment plan, implementing goals targeting assisting the child/adult in replacing inappropriate daily living skills, social skills, leisure and recreational skills. These skills include:

• Assisting the child as needed with skill development in dressing, eating, and toileting as it relates to the treatment plan;

• Observing and intervening to redirect inappropriate behavior;

• Assisting the child/adult in using age appropriate self-management skills as related to the child/adult’s emotional disorder or mental illness, including problem solving, decision making, communication, conflict resolution, anger management, social skills, and recreational skills

• Implementing de-escalation techniques as recommended by the Mental Health Professional;

• Implementing any other mental health service that the Mental Health Professional has approved as being within the scope of the Mental Health Practitioner’s duties;

• Assisting the parents to develop and use parenting skills that help the child/adult achieve the goals outlined in the child/adult’s individual treatment plan or individual behavior plan.

1. Providing crisis assistance services addressed to (1) Address abrupt or substantial changes in the functioning of the child/adult or the child/adult’s family indicated by a sudden change in the behavior with negative consequences for well-being, loss of usual coping mechanisms, or the presentation of danger to self or others; (2) Crisis prevention, identification, and management: (3) Reduce immediate personal distress and to assess factors that precipitated the crisis in order to reduce the chance of future crisis through arrangements for direct intervention, support services to the child/adult and family, and provision for the utilization of more appropriate services.

• Complete notes for services rendered in keeping with policy
• Maintain chart compliance, per Rule 79 standards
• Attend treatment team meetings as necessary
• Contribute to the development of agency policies and procedures as requested
• Complete billing / productivity management reports weekly
• Complete staff time sheet/expense logs monthly
• Participate in supervision activities as directed
• Participate in training and continuing education as directed, per CTSS/ARMHS standards 

• Dress appropriately for the job
• Work in a positive and cooperative manner with others
• Resolve problems constructively
• Taking initiative, pitching in, and being a team player
• Communicating openly and directly with others
• Flexibility when situations change, and re-prioritizing tasks if needed
• Show a positive attitude with respect to the job and the agency
• Show patience with clients, co-workers, and other team members
• Accept responsibility for your own behavior, decisions, and actions 

1. Perform other duties as required or assigned.

 Physical demands: The MHP must be physically capable. For example s/he may need to participate in physical recreational activities with the child/adult. S/he may also need to conduct physical intervention procedures with child, such as escort or restraint procedures in the event safety concerns arise.

Under normal circumstances the employee will need to have the physical capacity to continuously use his/her hands for simple and firm grasping and fine manipulation. The employee may be required to do the following: