POSITION SUMMARY:

This position reports to the Director of the Clinical Day School. Responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, structured and therapeutic milieu within the Clinical Day School. Ability to work with age-specific behavioral management practices and school specific level system program. This position requires familiarity with psychiatric disorders and age-appropriate behavior management techniques. Assists Teachers and Teacher Assistants with management of students throughout the school day and may assist with vocational placements and classes. This position role models skills such as communication, negotiation, problem-solving and conflict resolution. Documents and communicates pertinent information to the Teaching and Administrative staff.  Contributes to creating a caring and compassionate environment through ECHN’s Core Values of Teamwork, Communication, Respect and Caring.  The Mental Health Counselor may be responsible for coordinating and providing transportation for adolescents in hospital owned vehicles.

 

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

This position requires a High School degree or GED equivalent Associates or Bachelors in psychology or other human services field is strongly preferred. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is preferred, but not required.

 

EXPERIENCE:

Prior experience working with adolescents in a school setting is a plus. Prior experience working with adolescents in the Behavioral Health field is also beneficial.

 

If Interview is Offered you will be required to prove the following information :

CT  State Educational Employer Verification Form Authorization For Release of Information for DCF CPS Search Form 

 

If an Offer is Accepted :

A thorough background check will be run along with a drug screen and physical New hires will need to submit a copy of their fingerprints within 30 days of hire

 

COMPETENCIES:

Must be competent in the use of a personal computer and have basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook.  A demonstrated strength in team orientation is preferable. Must be able to interact with students effectively, take direction from teachers and, at times, work independently in an environment where multi-tasking is necessary. This position requires strong interpersonal and leadership skills and an ability to serve as a role model for effective coping skills.  Strong written as well as verbal communication skills using the English language are required. Must be flexible in approach so that service-specific as well as overall system needs can be met. Must be able to function effectively and, at times, independently in an environment where multi-tasking is necessary.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Disclaimer: Job descriptions are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.  They are intended to be accurate reflections of the principal duties and responsibilities of this position.  These responsibilities and competencies listed below may change from time to time.

 

          Job-Specific Competency

 

Demonstrates the ability to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment, as evidenced by proactively monitoring, close supervision of adolescents, implementing appropriate interventions that de-escalate behaviors, as evidenced by patient, peer and supervisor feedback. 

 

Demonstrates clinical perceptiveness, empathy and interpersonal warmth, as evidenced by supervisor and peer observation and feedback on satisfaction surveys.

 

 Consistently performs job responsibilities and maintains a structured and appropriate learning environment according to established school policies and procedures, as evidenced by staff feedback and supervisor observations.

 

Effectively uses psychological and physical management techniques to manage violent or potentially violent situations consistent with Physical Management Training (PMT) and participates in Early Response and Dr. Strong codes, as evidenced by peer and supervisor observation.

 

Completes all documentation and filing of student records within established timeframes.

 

Demonstrates the ability to identify areas where additional assistance is needed and takes initiative in helping without being asked, as evidenced by feedback from team members and supervisor observation.

 

Demonstrates a sound understanding of growth and development issues as well as current issues specific to adolescents, as evidenced by observation of interactions with patients.

 

Demonstrates an understanding of learning disorders, as evidenced by demonstrating flexibility in teaching methods and by interactions with patients.

 

Encourages active participation by students in the classroom by recognizing students’ strengths and weaknesses, as evidenced by student progress, staff feedback and supervisor observations.

 

 

Consistently performs job-specific tasks in the classroom (i.e., correcting/filing papers and organizing supplemental materials) and adhering to classroom routines and procedures, as evidenced by staff feedback and supervisor observations. Demonstrates an understanding of the rules, policies and protocols of the school environment and consistently enforces them in a manner that minimizes escalation of behaviors and promotes the emotional and physical safety of the milieu, as evidenced by staff feedback and supervisor observations.

 

Demonstrates responsibility to ensure that potentially harmful items are not brought into school by conducting belonging and clothing searches according to Service Protocol, as evidenced by absence of safety incidents, staff feedback and supervisor observations

 

Under the direction of the Director of the Clinical Day School, assures that snacks and lunches are ordered according to established protocol and adheres to budgetary guidelines and kitchen is maintained in accordance with infection control policies, as evidenced by supervisor observation and review.

 

Contributes to meeting the fluctuating staffing needs of the department, as evidenced by willingness to adjust scheduled hours and assignments in accordance with needs of the program.

 

Demonstrates an understanding of proper arrival and dismissal procedures, consistently following Service protocol in the use of two-way radios, as evidenced by supervisor observations.

 

Demonstrates a sound understanding of growth and development issues as well as current issues specific to adolescents, as evidenced by interactions with students, completion of competency, and supervisor observation