Mental Health Classroom Associate

Job purpose
Responsible for planning, implementation and documentation of Mental Health Day Treatment services in coordination with classroom team members.

Duties and responsibilities

• Align practice and work with the agency mission, vision, guiding principles, the trauma-informed Sanctuary Model®, the Neurosequential Model and the Re-ED philosophy.
• Work collaboratively with all team members to provide an integrated program of education and mental health services and supports inclusive of academic, social- emotional, and behavioral programming within an ecologically-based model.
• Work collaboratively with all team members, including agency and center staff, parents, and other professionals to implement the program and achieve the best possible outcomes for every client.
• Plan and deliver all mental health related services, including group meetings, utilizing agency approved social-emotional curricula.
• Responsible for documentation of Mental Health Day Treatment services, in adherence to agency’s guidelines.
• Responsible for the development, implementation, and review of the client’s Individual Service Plan.
• Utilize positive behavioral supports (classroom structure and systems, behavior management techniques, and learning environment design) effectively and therapeutically.
• Understand group dynamics and processes and is responsive to the diversity and individual learning and treatment needs of clients served.
• Implement the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention model with fidelity and effectiveness to support treatment and reduce/avoid restraints.
• Complete assigned duties competently and within expected time frames.
• Utilize safe work practices for self and others.
• Demonstrate word processing skills and program navigation skills.
• Participate (and pass requirements where applicable) in all required trainings, including but not limited to: Vehicle Safety, First Aid, CPR, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Blood Borne Pathogens, and Standards of Practice.
• Participate in staff development activities, parent conferences, team meetings, and staff meetings as scheduled or assigned.
• Ability to work respectfully with a culturally diverse population of clients.
• As a representative of the agency and profession, present self with decorum and in dress that is appropriate to the day’s activities.
• Adhere to PEP and ESC policies and procedures, as applicable.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor of Arts/Science degree in psychology, sociology, social work or related field minimally required; mental health license preferred.
• Experience working with behaviorally/emotionally challenged children/youth in a school based mental health or day treatment setting preferred.
• Understanding of emotional disturbance and impact on behavior.
• Experience in the development and implementation of treatment plans.
• Knowledge of group process and experience in facilitating groups.
• Communicate accurately and effectively, both written and orally.
• Demonstrate effective decision-making skills.
• Utilize good judgment under routine and stressful work conditions.
• Work professionally, effectively and collaboratively with others.

Physical requirements

• Ability to participate in physical interventions, when necessary, and with fidelity to the
  methods taught through the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention model. Physical interventions require intense physical exertion. The object is to safely control/maintain a struggling and aggressive young person ranging from 50 – 250+ pounds. Physical requirements include, but are not limited to: kneeling, possibly for extended periods of time on hard surfaces, bending, twisting, and holding.
• Ability to participate in therapeutic outdoor education/field trips which may involve hiking, biking, climbing, and swimming.
• Ability to use a computer and keyboard (eye-hand coordination and repetitive movements related to keyboarding).
• Ability to move around the classroom/center/community and sit and stand for more than an hour at a time.
• Ability to visually and auditorily assess and monitor the mental health status of students for safety purposes.
• Ability to meet driver eligibility standards and operate an agency leased vehicle.

Direct reports
None