School Based Clinician - St. Lawrence & Lewis County at Childrens Home of Jefferson – Watertown, New York

Summary/Objective:

The School-Based Clinician is responsible for the provision of comprehensive clinical services to students and their families within a school setting. This includes individual and group therapies, crisis intervention, advocacy, assessment, treatment planning, discharge planning, and interdisciplinary teamwork. The clinician works collaboratively with school staff to ensure the mental health needs of students are met, and services are integrated into the educational environment. The clinician is responsible for formulating and implementing appropriate treatment strategies for students on their assigned caseload and for timely and satisfactory documentation of all treatment efforts.

Clinical therapy involves providing psychotherapeutic services to students with behavioral healthcare needs to improve their functioning across academic, social, and emotional domains. The duties are performed as part of an interdisciplinary mental health and school team. The work is performed under the supervision of a senior licensed staff person and includes oversight in assessment, evaluation, diagnosis using the DSM, collaborative and individualized treatment planning, completing psychosocial histories and progress notes, psychotherapy, and consultation. The clinician performs related duties as required.

Essential Functions:

1. Performs intakes, interviews student/new patients to obtain information and identify mental health needs, and develop appropriate treatment goals.

2. Collaborates with school staff and participates in interdisciplinary staff meetings to discuss new cases and implement student-centered treatment plans.

3. Provides psychotherapy to individuals, couples and groups using evidence-based therapeutic methods, to assist patients in treatment mental health symptoms, increasing level of functioning across school, home, and community settings.

4. Coordinates referrals to a variety of health, social, vocational and educational agencies and facilities to arrange for supportive services for students and families.

5. Provides emotional support and advocacy to assist students in the process of growth or change.

6. Refers patients to psychiatric medication management staff for medication review as needed.

7. Maintains thorough and accurate documentation including treatment plans, case progress notes, referrals, letters, and treatment and discharge summaries.

8. Engages student families and other collaterals to obtain information to assess and monitor patient’s progress and treatment as appropriate.

9. Provide crisis interventions as necessary, including de-escalation and safety planning

10. Ensures compliance with OMH MHOTRS regulations and other relevant guidelines.

11. Actively participates in professional development, clinical supervision, and continuing education to enhance clinical skills.

12. Travels between school locations as necessary to deliver services.

13. Based on program needs and at the discretion of Leadership, the employee will be required to provide services at other CHJC Clinic locations, including TCRP, in accordance with the operating certificates of the assigned school-based locations.

14. Demonstrates flexibility in responding to the dynamic needs of the school and students.

15. Other duties as assigned to support the school and mental health program objectives.

Work Environment:

The clinician works in a school environment, including classrooms, counseling spaces, and other school-related settings. Exposure to noise and occasional physical activity may occur. Travel between schools or community locations is required. Remote work may be permitted only under extenuating circumstances, such as school closures, with prior approval from Practice Manager or Director of Clinical Services. Regular work-from-home arrangements are not permitted.

Physical Demands:

This position requires standing, walking, memory, concentration, sitting, hearing, carrying, speaking, writing, bending, pulling, problem-solving, lifting, reaching, kneeling, running, seeing, reading, climbing, and pushing. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Work is performed primarily on-site at assigned schools. The clinician is expected to fulfill all essential functions and meet professional standards.

Travel:

Travel between school locations or to community resources is required. A valid NYS driver’s license and the ability to drive legally are mandatory.

Required Education and Experience:

Licensure by the New York State Department of Education as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW or LCSW-R) or Licensed Psychologist. (Permit authorized with provided supervision.)

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge:

Strong organizational abilities and office skills are essential for this position. This person must also have excellent people skills and be a team player. Must be able to work with privileged information in an unbiased and ethical manner. Ability to work with diverse populations. Must demonstrate effective and excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively with others. Must be detail-oriented and possess excellent time-management skills. Requires self-direction, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to be clear, courteous, and professional. Able to react to change productively and handle other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Experience in school-based mental health services or working with children and adolescents.

· Familiarity with trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

· Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills for working within a school team.

· Preferred but not required: NYSSSWA School Social Work Certification.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

Must maintain privacy of confidential information. Successful completion of routine pre-employment requirements as mandated by the New York State Department of Health, Office of Mental Health and Office of Children and Family Services along with ongoing clearances and exclusion checks. These requirements are to include employment health requirements, reference checks, criminal background checks/fingerprinting, State Central Registry clearance and your eligibility to work in the United States. A valid NYS driver’s license required. Corporate Compliance, HIPAA Privacy Security, and Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Training and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, First Aid and CPR will be required following date of hire.