Therapist – School-Based Liaison

Centerstone is among the nation’s leading nonprofit behavioral health systems with thousands of employees dedicated to delivering care that changes people’s lives. A dynamic, well-established organization, we offer rewarding opportunities to serve all ages in a variety of settings. Come talk to us about joining the Centerstone team!

JOB DESCRIPTION:

SUMMARY OF POSITION

As a school-based behavioral health liaison, you will be responsible for providing face to face consultation with classroom teachers to assist them in creating positive, trauma-informed classroom environments, to enhance the learning environment for children at risk of developing an emotional/behavioral problem or substance use disorder, or with serious emotional disturbance (SED). Training and education regarding childhood mental health and trauma-informed behavior responses in the classroom will also be incorporated in the consultation to assist the teachers in promoting a healthy teaching environment. Each SBBHL shall provide psycho-educational groups and other support as needed to youth identified by teachers and/or or other school officials. The SBBHL program will provide Liaison support between the family and the school and will, when invited, assist parents and youth with the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process and with trauma-informed support plans.

This position is located at Blanche and Unity Schools in Lincoln County, TN.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide face-to-face consultation with classroom teachers to assist in creating a positive, trauma-informed classroom that enhances the learning environment, and to assist the classroom teacher in developing effective, trauma-informed behavior responses for the service population and other students in the class.
• Provide at least one face to face training per year to LEA personnel on a variety of mental health and substance abuse prevention topics.
• Assist in the development of school wide mental health initiatives and universal prevention strategies.
• Provide Liaison services to include communication between the school and the child's family to build open lines of communication and to build home-school partnerships. Liaison services can include assisting in the IEP process when requested, assisting in the alternative school placement process, developing trauma-informed support plans collaboratively with the school and families of the students to meet student individual needs, etc.
• Provide information and support for school personnel in navigating the local behavioral health system, including substance abuse and mental health services, and accessing mental health crisis services.
• Maintain logs, tracking documents or other appropriate management tools needed to track all aspects of these services. The State will review these documents during the annual monitoring visit.
• Ensure that each Liaison provides support opportunities to students at each school to include individual student consultations or interventions to assist in building positive coping and de-escalation skills, as needed; and at least three psychoeducation group activities per year that cover the following topic(s): mental health problems and disorders; the risk of substance use/abuse and substance use/abuse disorders; healthy ways to deal with stress including mindfulness, coping and de-escalation strategies; and other topics as decided and requested by each school.
• Address specific mental health or behavioral issues through individual, group, and/or family therapy services.  Formulate a diagnosis upon completion of intake assessment.  Create and update treatment plans according to policy.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation, including treatment plans, progress notes, and report, to comply with grant and organizational requirements.    
• Compliance requirement for bi-annual completion of performance evaluation. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Proficiency in trauma-informed practices
• Ability to provide strength-based and client-centered care
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Ability to build positive relationships with school staff, students, and families

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Level              

• A Master’s degree is required in one of the following fields: Clinical Psychology, Mental Health (MH) Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and/or a specialization in MH Counseling
• License-eligible in respective discipline preferred.

OR

• Applicants with a Master’s degree in a related field (outside of the disciplines listed above) must meet the following criteria:
  • Completion of at least 24 graduate-level semester hours in psychology, social work, counseling, or other behavioral health-related coursework.
  • Relevant coursework and work experience in the following areas:
    • Clinical treatment and treatment planning
    • Appraisal and assessment of mental disorders
    • Psychopathology
    • Use of the DSM for diagnostic purposes within a clinical internship or practicum in a behavioral health setting

Years of Experience       

• Clinical experience is required and may be fulfilled through internships or practicums completed as part of a master’s degree program.

Certification/Licensure 

Must possess a valid driver's license and meet eligibility requirements to be covered under the organization's vehicle insurance policy.

Starting Salary Range: $42,300 - $46,700

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Standing – 10%

Sitting – 90%

Squatting – Occasional

Kneeling – Occasional

Bending – Occasional

Driving – Occasional

Lifting – Occasional

DISCLAIMER

The duties and responsibilities described in this document are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time, or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Range:

$0.00--$0.00

Delivering care that changes people's lives starts with our employees. Below are just some of the great benefits Centerstone employees enjoy:

• Medical, dental, and vision health coverage

• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

• 403b retirement plan with company match

• Paid time off and ten paid holidays

• AD&D Insurance, Life Insurance, and Long Term Disability (company paid)

• Employee Resource Groups

• Continuing education opportunities

• Employee Assistance Program

Centerstone is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at Centerstone is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We treat all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect.

At Centerstone, we use our values as a guide for what we do. Respect, Expertise, Integrity and Empowerment are at the heart of every interaction at Centerstone, and particularly rooted in our Culture.

Our approach to culture is to create an environment that encourages, supports and celebrates the voices and experiences of our employees. We are committed to a culture of empowerment, respect, integrity and expertise that powers our innovation and connects us to each other, our clients and the communities we serve.

Centerstone is also committed to a strong culture of quality and safety, celebrating role-models who champion best practices for quality, clinical risk, and patient safety.