Mental Health Therapist

Mental Health Therapist

Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Mental Health or Counseling preferred or Bachelor’s Degree in related fields with extensive experience.
• At least 2 years’ experience working with children in a behavioral health or educational setting preferred.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, computer and organizational skills to develop contacts and presentations for the needs of the staff and students of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit.

Essential Responsibilities:

• To provide direct, individual and group therapy that will focus on helping students learn to respond to their daily environment in a practical and productive manner. Emphasis will be placed on student’s current needs, functions, and support systems, as they relate to mental health and educational needs.

Responsibilities:

• Develop Research-based therapy to support the behavioral and emotional needs.
• Assist in the development of and follow Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Positive Behavior Support Plan (PBSP).
• Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Positive Behavior Support Plan (PBSP).
• Effective Use of Reinforcement and behavioral interventions.
• De-escalation and Facilitated Relaxation Supports.
• Social Emotional Skills Instruction.
• Treatment Planning and Preparation.
• To demonstrate understanding of student needs and assist in planning development for programming for the teachers.
• Develop and follow treatment goals and assess outcomes.
• To create a respectful environment and establish a safe learning culture.
• To communicate clearly and accurately to family, student and staff.
• Develop flexible strategies that engage students and provide feedback.
• To follow the policies and procedures and best practice the employer.
• To show professionalism and growth within his/her profession.
• To maintain a professional relationship with families, community, and colleagues.

Program/Classification:

• Maple Avenue Campus/Special Education

Reports To:

• Director of Special Education and/or their designee

Method of Evaluation:

• The Mental Health Therapist shall be evaluated annually by the Director of Special Education or designee in accordance with the educational support personnel collective bargaining agreement.

Terms of Employment:

• Employment shall be 195 days per year. Salary and benefits will be in accordance with the educational support personnel collective bargaining agreement.

Physical/Sensory Requirements:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• This is an active position requiring the ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 50 lbs.; verbal and hearing skills to effectively communicate; visual acuity to oversee projects, and make observations. Work is done mainly indoors but could include out. 

The public schools of Schuylkill County and the Schuylkill IU 29 do not discriminate against any persons in employment, educational programs or activities based on race, color, sex, creed, religion, age, disability, national origin, martial status or because a person is a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era. This policy extends to all other legally protected classifications and is published in accordance with state and federal laws including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.