Counselor - Mental Health

Department of Human Resources

Job Title: Mental Health Professional Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Reports to: Principal Pay Grade / Days: Counselor / 204 Days

Dept./School: Assigned Campus Date Revised: April 2023

Primary Purpose: Establish through each comprehensive high school campus a mental health counseling program and provide direct social, emotional and psychological support to Hays CISD students and families. Coordinate this program in collaboration with school counselors, nurses and other mental health professionals. When appropriate, attend meetings in which client mental health needs are discussed with school personnel and attend the district -wide mental health professionals committee as well as serve as part of the districtwide MH crisis team. Provide transition plans from Impact Center to home campuses for eligible students. Collaborate with school counseling staff to provide services for students, including referrals for parents and students, as part of the Developmental Counseling Program on each campus. Create and maintain a data-base to provide service data to maintain this position.

Qualifications: Minimum Education/Certification: Master's degree in social work (MSW) or closely related field from an accredited college or university. Mental Health provider licensing is highly desirable: including licensed professional counselor (LPC), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), LCSW, and/or LPC-S (but not required).

Special Knowledge/Skills: Knowledge of emotional and developmental disorders of children and adolescence Knowledge of and experience with programs addressing school safety and prevention of drug abuse and suicide. Collaborate with students, teachers, and administrators to promote student mental health. Knowledge about community referral information, including knowledge or insurance providers for families Ability to do individual counseling, as needed and group counseling Ability to collaborate with campus staff to meet individual needs of students and families Collaborate with school counseling staff to ensure students have knowledge for HS completion Knowledge of various initiatives and alternatives to reduce HS drop out numbers for HS completion Ability to build relationships with students and families Ability to work with community agencies for developing student transition plans from a mental health facility to public school

Experience:

Three years experience in assessing and providing mental health counseling services to clients experiencing social emotional struggles, and crisis or traumatic experiences Two years experience with supporting at-risk students. Two years experience providing mental health treatment in a public-school setting.

Major Responsibilities and Duties: Program Management

1. Uses a planning process to define needs, priorities and program objectives.

2. Implements a comprehensive and balanced program, in collaboration with the district and campus Developmental Comprehensive Guidance Program

3. Uses accepted theories and techniques appropriate to a school setting. Hays Consolidated Independent School District

4. Evaluates the effectiveness of individual activities and the overall program in meeting desired student outcomes.

5. Educates the staff, parents and the community about the program through a public information program.

6. Collaborate with campus counseling staff for mental health consulting, attending campus RTI meetings, and setting up appropriate groups and individual sessions, as appropriate to meet student needs.

7. Keep data on program management, effectiveness and students served

8. Attend district-wide at-risk meetings held on a monthly basis

9. Consult with district Mental Health Coordinator or district Guidance and Counseling Director for indiv idual students, if appropriate

Policy, Reports, and Law

10. Recommend sound health care policies to improve programs
11. Implement policies established by federal and state law, TX Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, State Board of Education rule, Medicaid/CHIP, and local board policy.
12. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents as required.

Consultation

13. Serve as mental health liaison between schools, physicians, parents, and community.
14. Assess student needs, develop and implement treatment plans, as appropriate for high school completion
15. When indicated, make referrals, in collaboration with students, parents, and the health care community,
16. Participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee, crisis team, child abuse situations, and school committees as necessary or as invited to participate.
17. Make home visits concerning student mental health needs when appropriate.
18. Communicate regularly with the district Mental Health Coordinator and/or district Guidance and Couns eling Director regarding mental health services issues.
19. Present relevant information accurately and without bias.
20. Provide professional expertise collaboratively.
21. Interpret information and ideas effectively.
22. Advocate for students.
23. Available to address campus mental health crises during regular hours.

Coordination

24. Maintain an effective communication system, in order to facilitate collection and dissemination of student health information between professionals, when appropriate.
25. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with other professionals.
26. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with representatives of community agencies.
27. Accurately assess students for referral, when indicated.
28. Provide an effective student referral process to district and community services.
29. Collaborate with campus and district staff when appropriate to facilitate high school completion and success.

Communication and Community Relations

30. Develop campus/community needs assessment and initiate responses to those needs
31. Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage campus, community and parent involvement.
32. Monitor professional mental health research and disseminate ideas and information to other professionals. Professional Growth
33. Participate in professional seminars, conferences and workshops as necessary to maintain licensure and familiarity with current trends and issues in counseling.

Supervisory Responsibilities: May supervise interns completing practicum or internship through a college or university program. Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting Motion: Frequent walking

Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); Occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); may be required to lift and transfer students to and from wheelchair or assist with positioning of students with disabilities Environment: Work inside, regular district-wide travel to student homes Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours

EEOC Statement: Hays Consolidated I.S.D. will not discriminate against any person in employment or exclude any person from participating in or receiving benefits of any of its activities or programs on any basis prohibited on the bases of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or any other non- merit- based factor. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, and training and career development programs.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. Positions are extended annually based upon availability of funding.

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