Student Support Counselor - Barstow, CA

Student Support Counselor - Barstow, CA

About Organization:  Wellness Together, a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, partners with schools statewide to increase access to mental health services for students and families. By collaborating with universities and graduate programs, Wellness Together provides cost-effective "turn-key" social-emotional interventions on school campuses across California.

We are committed to developing school-based mental health practices beyond traditional medical care and providing much-needed social-emotional support at no cost to the student or their family. We advance school-based health by:

1. Advocating for state and national policies that support school-based mental health services

2. Providing training to staff as well as the community on mental health

3. Hosting the annual Student Mental Wellness Conference, which partners with the CA Department of Education

4. Cultivating new and existing partnerships to spread best practices and improve school-based mental health

Summary of Position:  

Under clinical supervision, the Student Support Counselor provides mental health services, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, case management, parent and staff consultations, referrals, and treatment plans for students identified as having mental health needs. This position conducts mental health training for students, staff, and families. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Provide crisis intervention, case management, and risk assessments to students in need, and act as a resource to faculty and staff. Provide referrals and warm transfers to outside evaluations and referrals to community resources or other crisis organizations, as deemed necessary

• Coordinate and maintain collaborative relationships with local mental health agencies, administrators, educators, and district personnel

• Enlist the cooperation and support of local law enforcement, campus resource officers, school staff, and emergency personnel to support students in crisis. 

• Be well-versed and knowledgeable in Crisis Intervention policies and practices in both [assigned district] and Wellness Together

• Support administrators and educators in understanding and following district and Wellness Together policies and practices during and following a crisis intervention

• Participate in crisis response to events that occur on campuses throughout the district

• Consults with school staff, including administrators, counselors, and teachers, to coordinate care for referred students

• Consults with clinical manager or clinical supervisor on complex cases before finalizing a care plan

• Provides individual and group counseling

• Develops and delivers student, parent, and staff training w/school site personnel

• Provide care coordination for referred students

• Documents and store individual and group counseling logs and notes of mental health treatment provided

• Thoroughly documents crisis response, and resources and referrals

• Interviews student’s parent/guardians as needed to gather pertinent information and engage the parent in supporting a student in crisis

• Communicates in a clear, concise, and confident manner when working with school staff, parents, students, and supervisor

• Develops and implements short-term plans with students and families to provide immediate interventions and at-home strategies to support students

• Participates in monthly staff meetings and required training

• Participate in individual and group supervision as scheduled and required by the Board of Behavioral Sciences

• Follows mandated reporting guidelines and documents according to organization standards

• Communicates with Wellness Together staff and leadership as necessary and appropriate

• Participate in monthly staff meetings and required staff trainings

• Participate in individual and group supervision as scheduled and required by the BBS and/or University Practicum/Affiliation Agreement.

• Operate ethically utilizing an evidence-based curriculum as supplied by the Organization, including, but not limited to, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy

• Engage directly with supervisor (clinical or otherwise) when navigating clinical, ethical, or school-based mental health considerations, as appropriate based on licensure.

• Meets with students/clients regularly to provide counseling treatment and facilitate ongoing assessments of client progress to support the creation of individualized treatment plans according to student needs and circumstances.

• Facilitates family engagement sessions in support of student progress when appropriate.

• Refers students/clients to outside specialists or agencies when necessary and upon discontinuing services in a school-based setting.

• Gathers student consent to record sessions and engages in supervision to review session recordings for growth and feedback

• Maintains thorough records of students/clients meetings and progress.

• Follows all safety protocols as set forth by the Organization.

• Record sessions for review by the Wellness Together Clinical Supervisor when appropriate, and utilize only confidential, organization-approved practices and protocols. 

• Complete documentation to reimbursement standards as set forth by the Organization and the CYBHI Fee Schedule, including Medi-Cal and Private Insurance payers.

• Diagnoses and treats, as appropriate, as defined by district-specific needs, and under the guidance of a Wellness Together Clinical Supervisor, mental health disorders within scope of practice.

• Regularly attend Clinical Supervision with Wellness Together as the Board of Behavioral Sciences requires.

• Other duties as necessary

Knowledge of:

• Regulations of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)

• Evidence-based treatment modalities

• Evidence-based counseling interventions

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V)

• Crisis management and crisis intervention techniques

• Effective verbal and written communication strategies 

• Conflict resolution

• Community referrals and resources

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

• Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

• Mandated reporting policies and procedures (Child Abuse/Tarasoff)

• Confidentiality and Ethics requirements

• Correct use of the English language, including grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation

Ability to: 

• Provide mental health services to individuals or groups of students 

• Refer students and families to community resources, support groups, and other social service agencies

• Read, interpret, apply, and explain regulations, policies, and procedures 

• Work independently and with discretion

• Analyze situations and develop an effective course of action

• Plan, develop, and deliver programs and services to meet student mental health needs

• Maintain electronic case records that are in accordance with HIPAA Guidelines

• Operate various office equipment, computer, EHR, and software programs

• Maintain records and prepare reports and translate as needed

• Establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with Administrative staff, internal team members, and external partners.

• Maintain current knowledge of applicable rules, codes, laws, and regulations

• Define issues, collect and analyze data, determine facts, and draw appropriate conclusions

• Contribute to practice by accomplishing related tasks as needed.

• Involve and advise family members when appropriate.

• Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients, including, but not limited to, ensuring there are no dual relationships with clients

• Operate from a Brief, Positive, Mission-Focused lens at all times

• Operate within the scope of practice as set forth by industry standards and organizational standards

• Establish positive, trusting rapport with students/clients.

• Work as part of a mental health team

• Understand and follow directions from supervisors

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or other related field

• Possesses registration in good standing under California BBS as an AMFT, ACSW, APCC, LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC

• 2 years of experience working with youth having experienced trauma preferred

• 2 years experience working within a school or educational setting in crisis management and crisis intervention preferred

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Graduate Program transcript and a copy of your registration information with the BBS

• NPI Number

• CAQH Credentialing 

• Valid California Class C Driver’s License

Work Environment: 

• Multiple in-person locations within a singular district, reporting directly to school sites and the district office. On-the-clock travel required. 

• Telework as requested by the school site or partners

Physical Demands:

• Possess dexterity of hands and fingers to operate assigned equipment

• Hear, speak, and listen to provide information by phone or in person

• Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time while working on a computer monitor

• Ability to lift 15 lbs.

Hours:

• 35 hours/week 

• The position follows a typical school year schedule

Benefits: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision

• 403 (b)*

  • Certain employees may not qualify for participation in the 403(b) retirement plan due to specific eligibility requirements. Please refer to the plan documents or contact the HR department for detailed information on eligibility criteria, limitations, and exclusions.

• EWP (Employee Wellness Program) eligibility 

Qualifications

Salary : $37 - $45