HEMET UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST/ CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

Under the direction of the High School Principal, the Marriage & Family Therapist/Clinical Social worker acts as a support person for students of greatest need.  She/he works closely with community agencies to access appropriate services in the community.  She/he monitors the truancy status of the entire class (percentage of truant students in the class) and relays the information to the coordinator.  The Marriage & Family Therapist/Clinical Social Worker shall be registered as either a Marriage Family Therapist (MFT) or as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and shall work within the limits of the licensing board and professional standards. 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Provide support, referrals, and education on mental health issues to students and families in greatest need
• Provide groups to meet student needs (e.g. possible support group topics areas:  gender-based, grief and loss, family change, etc.)
• Monitor truancy rates of all 9^th grade students, completing truancy referrals if needed
• Meet individually with students referred by staff, parents, or a self-referral
• Work closely on planning any immediate or long-term interventions with students and their families
• Work closely with the discipline coordinator to provide students with strategies that will avoid disciplinary incidents
• Work closely with the coordinator to monitor truancy or behavior trends
• Provide initial assessments or students with identified needs
• Assess the seriousness and immediacy of student issues
• Identify and assist students in addressing obstacles to success, creating strategies to help overcome those challenges
• Provide a general mental health assessment of the students, and advocate for an appropriate intervention
• Interprets test results to students in individual or group situations as determined by the counselor
• Participates in various orientation programs
• Confers with students on a self-referral system
• Communicates with parents when in the best interest of students
• Conducts conferences such as parent-teacher, parent-teacher-student, or teacher-student
• Assists students with conflict mediation
• Participates in student re-entry meetings following suspensions
• Prepares work-up and refers more serious problems to the District psychologist or appropriate community agencies
• Performs information gathering services concerning after school plans, immediate post high school educational plans, immediate post high school vocational plans,
• Disseminates general information as required
• Serves as liaison with community agencies (such as child protection and community counseling agencies)
• Performs other related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Knowledge of:

• Principals and methods of counseling and assessment of students with emotional, social, behavioral, and/or mental health needs
• Overall growth and development of children
• Evidence-based practices, areas of secondary curriculum, mental health interventions
• Applicable treatment modalities and theory

Ability to:

• Provide crisis assessment and/or intervention
• Develop and coordinate programs.
• Negotiate and resolve conflicts and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills.
• Deal effectively with parents, teachers, administrators, and students.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism.
• Organize and manage time effectively.
• Work both collaboratively and independently.
• Demonstrate leadership and organizational skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Credential, Education, and Experience:

• Valid California State Board of Behavioral Science Examiner License either as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
• Three (3) years of successful experience working with children in a private or governmental agency providing direct behavioral and/or mental health services. 
• Any combination of training, experience, and/or education equivalent to a Master’s degree in psychology, mental health counseling, or social work

Physical Demands:

• Occasionally lift, push, pull, run, carry and drag up to seventy five (75) pounds;
• Walk, stand, continuously bend, stoop, and twist;
• Squat, kneel, climb stairs (frequently);
• Grasp and manipulate materials, equipment, and supplies (frequently);
• Use seeing, hearing, and speaking (continuously);

Other Requirements:

• Requires use of personal automobile, and the possession of a valid California Class Driver’s License and proof of current and appropriate auto insurance coverage.  If required to drive a District vehicle, must be insurable at standard market rates under the District’s insurance policy.

Classified Bargaining Position                                                                                         May 2014