Mental Health Therapist - Chief Sealth High School (0.2 FTE)

Purpose:

School-Based Mental Health Therapists provide mental health services to children and teens within the school-based health center setting and in accordance with the Mental Health Scope of Services. They focus on the full spectrum of care, from promoting healthy development and preventing problems, to long-term intervention and support for students unable to obtain adequate mental health care from other organizations or in a non-school context. Emphasis is on asset and strengths-building; symptom reduction; increasing, stabilizing, and maintaining functioning; and on individual, family, and group modalities. School-based Mental Health Therapists provide services with a variety of therapeutic techniques, including evidence-based practices.  

Health, Wellness & Retirement Benefits:  

• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance
• Paid time off & paid holidays
• Retirement with contribution match
• Life & AD&D, pet insurance
• Employee assistance program, & more!

Compensation 

• The target wage range for this position is $45.51 per hour to $63.95 per hour.
• Final offers are individually based on various factors, including skill set, years of experience, location, qualifications, work schedule and other job-related reasons.

• Please note that as a part of the school-based health care program this position is on standby during the summer for approximately eight to ten weeks. School based employees are not paid during the standby period. The duration of the standby period may fluctuate from year to year depending on many factors.

• This is a grant-funded, non-union position

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide high quality, strengths-based services to clients in alignment with the Scope of Services and productivity expectations. 
• Assist students, parents and school personnel in efforts to remove psychosocial and mental/emotional health obstacles to students’ healthy functioning and academic performance.
• Provide individual, family, and group therapy; case management; classroom presentations; and psycho-educational services in accordance with the needs of the specific school population and as specified by applicable funding contract(s).
• Participate in school-wide interventions as appropriate.
• Assess mental health needs and develop individualized treatment goals for each caseload client.
• Review and revise treatment goals as clinically appropriate, and at least as frequently as required by applicable funding contract(s).
• Exchange information within legal and ethical guidelines, with the goal of providing the best individual and team care.
• Participate actively in multidisciplinary team care provision, including but not limited to, coordinating, and integrating client care with other providers within and outside of Neighborcare Health.
• Work with school staff, Neighborcare Health staff, and community providers to maximize students’ access to health services, within Neighborcare Health and/or with other organizations.
• Complete required documentation in a timely manner, and in accordance with requirements specified by the State of Washington, Neighborcare Health, and funders.
• Report all known and suspected abuse or neglect per Washington State Law.
• Uphold Neighborcare Health service commitments: (a warm welcome; respect; caring; working together and trusting relationship) with internal and external customers.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality in administration and patient care areas.
• Attend site, SBHC Program, and Neighborcare Health meetings as directed by supervisor.
• Attend Neighborcare Health Behavioral Health Team meetings as directed by supervisor or Behavioral Health Program Manager. 

Key Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Represents Neighborcare core values with integrity: Social Justice, Cultural Sensitivity, Community, and Excellence.
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with students of varying ethnicities, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and gender/sexuality identities. 
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development, group dynamics, and family systems.
• Knowledge of mental health diagnoses.
• Knowledge of school systems and local resources.
• Knowledge of and ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Knowledge of and ability to maintain legal and ethical professional standards.
• Skill in oral and written interpersonal communication.
• Ability to identify factors putting students at risk for mental health and/or substance issues.    
• Ability to make assessments, and to make and carry out a plan of care for individuals with mental health and psychosocial issues.
• Ability to apply evidence-based and other therapeutic methods to provide effective individualized care.
• Ability to provide presentations on mental health and substance abuse topics.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member, including as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to perform job duties under high levels of activity, and a variety of conditions and constraints.
• Ability to be detail-oriented, multi-task, organize, problem solve, and follow up on tasks.
• Ability and willingness to accept responsibility.
• Ability to learn from directions, observations, and mistakes.
• Per Washington State Department of Health requirements for Associate licensed clinicians, ability to work under the supervision of an independently licensed clinician, including receiving feedback, coaching or disciplinary action.
• Ability to set priorities and use good judgment.
• Ability to comply with Neighborcare Health, Local, State, Federal, and HIPAA policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain all necessary credentials per agency and licensing requirements.
• Ability to learn and use company software programs.
• Able to travel, on occasion, between Neighborcare Health sites and to community locations.
• Ability to maintain predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English.

Education Required:

• Master's degree in social work, counseling or related field

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations Required:

• WA State LACSW, LMFTA, LMHCA
• BLS

About Neighborcare Health:
Since 1968, Neighborcare Health has been removing barriers to health care for our neighbors. We believe everyone deserves a place to call their health care home, where a team of medical, dental and mental health professionals work in collaboration with each patient to develop a personal health improvement plan.  

We are one of the largest providers of primary medical, dental and behavioral health care services in the Seattle area serving low-income and uninsured families and individuals, seniors on fixed incomes, immigrants, and people experiencing homelessness. Each year we care for nearly 60,000 patients at our nearly 30 non-profit medical, dental and school-based clinics. We ask everyone to pay what they can, but no one is turned away due to inability to pay.  

Our clinics are located in neighborhoods where health disparities are the greatest, and our care teams, who speak over 55 languages and dialects, are as diverse as our patients. No matter who you are, or where you come from, regardless of your insurance, income or immigration status, you are welcome at Neighborcare Health.  

Learn more about us here.  

The full job description is available upon request.