School Based Counselor

School Based Counselor

The School Based Counselor provides behavioral health services within a multidisciplinary primary care medical team. The SBC works with the other health care providers at their clinic to identify and manage patients with mental health, substance use, and health behavior concerns. Activities include the provision of evidence-based behavioral interventions, real-time consultation with providers, and brief behavioral health assessments. The therapist works in partnership with other team members to increase patient access to behavioral health and substance abuse services.

Job Description

• Provide behavioral health care including diagnostic evaluation, psychotherapy, and case management services to children and adolescents in a school-based clinic setting. Modalities include individual, family, and group psychotherapy. Provide behavioral health treatment to children and adolescents experiencing symptoms that interfere with their academic progress and social/emotional functioning in the school or home environment.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation in the patients' medical record including initial intake, diagnosis, treatment plan, and progress notes. Maintain patient electronic medical charts in accordance with the organization's policies and procedures.
• Communicate and consult regularly with a multidisciplinary team of School Based Health Clinic providers regarding patients' progress and the development of appropriate treatment plans for the patients. Attend and participate in all required meetings including clinical consultations.
• Work closely with school staff including teachers, administrators, and school counselors to improve the academic performance of students. Provide groups and classes to the school community regarding social and emotional health. Adhere to evidence-based practice standards and quality metrics.
• Train other program personnel as necessary in treatment protocols, evidence-based practice, and treatment plan development.
• Provide high quality, culturally-sensitive health services that are in line with organizational productivity expectations.
• Provide brief behavioral health assessment and intervention services for patients across the lifespan (children, adolescents, and adults) who present with a broad range of psychopathology, substance misuse, and health compromising behaviors contributing to chronic medical conditions.
• Maintain a balance of same-day access to behavioral health services and a caseload of scheduled follow-up patients.
• Support PCPs and consulting psychiatric providers with regard to psychiatric medications, including basic patient education and helping to monitor adherence, side effects, and effectiveness.
• Work with the primary care team to refer patients to community mental health centers when appropriate, and support patients during transition.
• Facilitate time-limited behavioral therapy groups, including psycho-education and skill-building.
• Work in cooperation with other behavioral health staff, including peer consultation and information sharing.
• Work with clinic reception and other support staff to maximize patient access to behavioral health services.
• Coordinate care with staff at community mental health centers to facilitate the exchange of information on services and shared patients.

Requirements

• Minimum three (3) years of experience providing mental health diagnosis and treatment for children and adolescents.

Education

• Master's degree in psychology, social work, or a related discipline.

License, Certification, Registration

• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (Washington) required at hire OR Mental Health Counselor License (Washington) required at hire OR Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Washington) required at hire.

Additional Requirements

• Actively promotes team-based care within multidisciplinary medical teams including comfort in communicating with medical colleagues about clinical care.
• Working knowledge of a wide range of behavioral health conditions across the lifespan and clinical spectrum.
• Skill in assessing and intervening on patients with complex presentations, including those with comorbid medical and psychiatric symptoms.
• Ability to utilize brief behavioral health assessments to form diagnostic impressions and develop initial care plans.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders and ability to provide brief screening and evidence-based behavioral interventions for them.
• Expertise in using contemporary, validated assessment instruments for behavioral health conditions that are appropriate to the primary care setting.
• Working knowledge of psycho-pharmacology.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with persons of varied racial, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds as well as individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to utilize interpretation services to provide care to non-English speaking patients.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with patients, families, co-workers, and community resources.
• Ability to maintain professional standards and follow the treatment policies and procedures of Kaiser Permanente and of state, local, and federal regulators.
• Knowledge of and skill in the use of computers with the ability to learn and use required software programs, including clinical documentation in an electronic health record program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six (6) plus years of experience providing mental health services in a school-based setting.
• Knowledge and skills in treating children and adolescents with mental health disorders including depressive disorders, eating disorders, conduct disorders, and ADD/ADHD.