The School Based Therapist, also known as the Public Health Mental Health Counselor I, will provide mental health services to high school youth in the School Based Clinics (SBC), as well as coordinated care activities for those youth. The position includes participating as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team and a member of a school support team.
Work Location:This position currently works primarily at a School Based Clinic location with occasional home or telehealth visits.
The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direction of a licensed mental health professional:
- Assess psychosocial needs of selected SBC clients requesting sports physicals or reproductive health services, and clients referred by clinic staff, school staff, etc. Assess client emergency situations for suicide and/or for violence to self or others.
- Provide diagnostic assessment, treatment planning, and therapy to clients with DSM-5 diagnoses, and other issues such as stress, sexuality, chemical use, grief, peer and family relationships, self-esteem, self-care, developmental issues, and healthy decision making. Refer clients requiring specialized or more intensive therapy to appropriate services. Provide counseling and resource connection to pregnant and parenting clients.
- Document in client record significant social data collected through interviews and communications with SBC Staff and collaborating agencies.
- Participate in interdisciplinary team planning, when needed, with other SBC staff, community agencies, and when appropriate guardians and school staff.
- Promote coordination of services among multiple providers or agencies, including Minneapolis Public School staff, community agency staff, guardians, or others. Provide information and referrals for out of school resources such as housing, academic support, employment, medical and dental services, and economic assistance. Assist in interpretation and clarification of various community services to eligible families.
- Refer clients to appropriate school staff for school-related issues including but not limited to discipline issues, harassment complaints, academic problems, tutoring and college preparation programs, and after school activities.
- Notify appropriate MPS personnel, social service agencies, or guardians when clients present with crisis issues, such as threatened suicide, sexual or physical abuse.
- Facilitate support groups and present classroom curriculum on a variety of topics.
- Assist with research projects as needed to support School Based Clinic services.
- Provide education to program staff on mental health issues and concerns.
- Participate in supervision consultation by a licensed professional.
- Participate in case consultation and professional development with the mental health team.
- Report to Public Health Mental Health Counselor III of any areas outside of their level of expertise.
- Attend continuing education opportunities as approved and/or assigned by supervisor.
- Understand and apply the City's record retention schedule and record management policies, and protect confidential and private information as required by Data Privacy and/or HIPAA policies.
- Participate in Public Health Emergency Preparedness training and response as needed and assigned by the department.
- Participate in grant activities, meet assigned project deadlines, and perform other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions
School Clinic Setting
Required Qualifications
Education:
A Master's Degree in psychology, counseling, marriage & family therapy, clinical social work, or a related field from an accredited college or university by date of hire.
Experience:
6 months of clinical experience.
Language:
Bilingual skills in Spanish are strongly preferred.
Cultural competency:
Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, economic, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds.
Resume:
A resume is required. You must attach an updated resume to your application.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience (100%). It is important that your application shows all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.
Interview Selection
The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate's education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.
Background Check
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
All job applicants must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be required to sign a notification and consent form prior to undergoing drug and alcohol testing. Applicants who do not consent to undergo drug and alcohol testing will not be required to do so and the City will withdraw the conditional job offer, resulting in the job applicant no longer being considered for the position.
Union Representation
This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Public Employees Association (MPEA). For more information on the terms and conditions of this agreement please visit: Labor Agreements.
Eligible List
The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire two months after it has been established.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Clinical skills in the provision of diagnostic assessment, treatment planning, and therapy.
- Ability to assess client emergency situations for suicide and/or for violence to self or others.
- Ability to relate well to an adolescent population.
- Knowledge of adolescent development.
- Knowledge of multicultural and economic challenges.
- Ability to work with diverse and special needs populations.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative environment, particularly with multiple agencies and providers.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Knowledge of community agencies or how to access information easily.
- Ability to facilitate group discussion and provide classroom presentations.
- Flexibility to work in multiple settings within different schools and clinics.
