Mental Health Specialist

Description:

Job Overview

This position is responsible for assisting the Mental Health & Wellness Manager in the oversight of Mental Health (MH) services to EHS/HS children and families to ensure that quality services are delivered in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and all applicable federal, state, local and agency policies rules and regulations. In addition, this position will assist in scheduling and coordinating training, and cross-program trainings.

Job Responsibilities

• Promotes and models the organization’s Core Values.
• Shares in the knowledge of health policies and practices to include confidentiality of all families.
• With the guidance of the supervisor will communicate information with families about mental health resources and referrals.
• Assists with searching mental health topics, trends in the field, as well as data on children and families in the program.
• Has access to review participant files to discuss with supervisor in delivering on-time services. Assists in the approved lesson plan, to include preparing materials, supplies, handouts, props for mental health activities, day-to-day classroom engagement, and group work activities with families and staff.
• Schedules consultations and observations with children and parents for the Mental Health and Wellness Manager.
• Serves as a liaison for appropriate delivery of services in the community, and outreach.
• Assists Mental Health and Wellness Manager in staff and parent trainings.
• Calls, confirms, follow-ups and contacts families and staff utilizing various methods of communication.
• Assists the manager in advocating with the community for appropriate services for children and families with mental health needs.
• Coordinates between program staff and the Mental Health and Wellness Manager that all components of EHS/HS are appropriately involved in the integration of children with behavioral and/or mental health needs and their parents.
• Generates and submits accurate reports in a timely manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Education

Required:

• Associate degree in Psychology, Human Services, or related field.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Human Services, or a related field.

Work Experience

Required:

• A minimum of one (1) year working with high-risk families and children ages 0-5 years old, or in an office, social service program offering health, and social services to the community.

Preferred:

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with high-risk families and children ages 0-5 years old.

Additional Skills Required

• Awareness and sensitivity to cultural issues on local community practices.
• Extensive knowledge of resources in the health community and public relations.
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office software applications with advance skills using Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Spanish fluency.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, board members, external partners, and donors.
• Emotional maturity.
• Highly resourceful team player, with the ability to be extremely effective independently with the capability of managing numerous simultaneous projects.
• Forward-looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.
• Strong analytical, presentation, verbal and written communication, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to travel to various training sessions.
• Must have dependable transportation daily, valid driver’s license, a clean driving record (subject to annual MVR check and policy), current auto liability insurance and be bondable by AVANCE, San Antonio, Inc.

Disclaimer(s)

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Nothing in this job description forms or is intended to form a contract of employment. Neither shall the content in this job description be interpreted to conflict with, or to eliminate or modify in any way, the “at will” employment status of AVANCE San Antonio employees. Employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

Travel

50% annually on average with occasional long distance.

Equipment

Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, resource materials and equipment, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to the position.

Working Conditions

Mental and Physical Demands

General office and sedentary. Regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Use of personal computing equipment.

Maintain emotional control under stress; work with interruptions and deadlines; walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; occasional: lifting/carrying, pulling/pushing 10-30 pounds. Work evenings and weekends as needed.

Environmental Factors

Occasional exposure to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.). Occasional exposure to weather related conditions when working in outside environment/neighborhoods and events.

ADA/ADAAA Statement

AVANCE is committed to equal opportunity in employment for persons with disabilities and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, and any other applicable state and federal laws. Accordingly, AVANCE does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities regarding application, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Moreover, it is AVANCE’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations in employment to qualified individuals with disabilities so that they can perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of AVANCE’s business or would change the essential functions of the position. Retaliation against an individual with a disability for utilizing this policy or seeking a reasonable accommodation is prohibited. Individuals with any questions or requests for accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department.

EEO/AAP Statement

AVANCE values diversity and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. It is also our goal to employ and advance in employment women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, and to treat qualified individuals without discrimination on the basis of their physical or mental disability or veteran status.