Mental Health Practitioner

Mental Health Practitioner

Job Description:

• Works within assigned Healthy Start and EveryStep programs to provide community-based direct mental health services such as assessment, treatment planning, individual and/or group counseling sessions, group-based/workshop education support, and case management.
• Collaborates as part of a multidisciplinary team across Healthy Start/Empowerment, EveryStep, and the service area.
• Conducts psychosocial assessments and diagnostic practice using the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).
• Develops personalized care and treatment plans to address physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing, including the establishment of goals and crisis planning.
• Provides culturally responsive, family-centered mental health counseling for program participants and their families, which includes work in program participants' homes.
• Facilitates individual and group sessions, including workshops with program participants and staff.
• Supports and educates caregivers, providers, community resources, and EveryStep staff.
• Assists in facilitating referrals to community resources and partners in collaboration with the program's case managers/community health specialists.
• Maintains program-required documentation for each participant interaction and ensures evaluation/assessment tools are completed within the program's scope.
• Responds to concerns and questions from program participants, program staff, EveryStep staff, and community members in a comprehensive and timely manner.
• Maintains positive relationships with community-based programs, services, resources, family and child/maternal health organizations, and mental health experts.
• Engages in ongoing professional training and maintains clinical licensure according to professional requirements.
• Submits reports regularly as requested by the Healthy Start leadership team.
• Advocates for access and equity.

Requirements:

• Master's level mental health practitioner degree (e.g., Master of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related).
• Master's level clinical licensure in good standing to practice in the state of Iowa (LMSW, LISW, LMHC, LMFT, or related); Independent clinical licensure preferred.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English.
• High level of attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to successfully exercise effective independent judgment and problem-solving skills, manage multiple tasks, and complete projects on time.
• Strong interpersonal skills; Motivational Interviewing experience or training preferred.
• Operational knowledge of child development, maternal health, behavioral health, and social determinants of health.
• Highly detail-oriented with a critical degree of accuracy regarding data entry and analysis.
• Competence and ability to work with culturally, ethnically, educationally, economically, socially, and generationally diverse people.
• Knowledge of community resources and ability to build expertise in complex human services systems, including the behavioral health system.
• Strong keyboarding and computer skills with the ability to learn work-related software.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Mandatory Reporter of Child and Dependent Adult abuse training certification (within 30 days of hire).
• Must have a valid driver's license, auto liability insurance, and reliable transportation.
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical, drug screen, 2-step TB test, and background check.

Working Conditions:

• Physical requirements: Light work, sitting most of the time, exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a small amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Physical activities: climbing, kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, hearing, repetitive motions, visual acuity, balancing, crouching, standing, pulling, picking up, pinching, typing, grasping, stooping, crawling, walking, lifting.
• Environment: Extreme temperatures, atmospheric conditions (fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases).
• Ability to be flexible with a varying schedule and programmatic requirements.