Mental Health Practitioner
Do you have a desire to better the lives of the residents of Sherburne County?
Join our professional team of Mental Health staff in the Therapeutic Services Unit of Sherburne County Health & Human Services!
The Mental Health Practitioner works as Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) to provide a flexible package of mental health services for children who require varying therapeutic and rehabilitative levels of intervention. CTSS addresses the conditions of emotional disturbance that impair and interfere with an individual’s ability to function independently. For children with emotional disturbances, rehabilitation means a series or multidisciplinary combination of psychiatric and psychosocial interventions to:
- Restore a child or adolescent to an age-appropriate developmental trajectory that had been disrupted by a psychiatric illness; or
- Enable the child to self-monitor, compensate for, cope with, counteract, or replace psychosocial skills, deficits or maladaptive skills acquired over the course of a psychiatric illness.
Vision: We strive toward healthy families, communities, and workforce by valuing every voice, every need, every culture, and everyone’s involvement.
Mission: To promote, protect, and enhance the health of all in Sherburne County.
This position is located at the Government Center in Elk River, MN. Our regular business hours are Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, though the department provides staff with flexibility in effort to strive for a desired work/life balance. Sherburne County is one of the fastest growing counties in Minnesota, where you can find a nice blend of suburban and rural life. If you are interested in bringing your skill and talent to a dynamic department in a growing community, we encourage you to apply for this great opportunity.
Learn more about our workplace culture and a brief overview of our employee benefits.
As a thriving organization fueled by people passionate about serving our community, Sherburne County strives to support and engage employees through investments in competitive compensation and equitable benefits; a culture that promotes physical and emotional wellbeing; opportunities for professional growth and a sense of honor and purpose.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
These examples of typical duties do not include all possible tasks for this classification and do not limit the assignment of related tasks. Regular attendance according to the department's approved work schedule is required for all Sherburne County positions.
- Provide skills training, assessment and monitoring in the areas identified in the adult or child’s Diagnostic Assessment and Functional Assessment(s).
- Must have knowledge and understanding of mental illness.
- Guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
- Provide services in (to individuals, families or groups) a one to one and group format, in the recipient’s home, community or office.
- Maintain records of progress for each face-to-face meeting and telephone contact with client. Reports will include an assessment of the adult/child’s ability to function and manage the symptoms of his/her illness based on observation and interaction with the client.
- Maintain records of contact with other providers and or collateral contacts regarding client care.
- Under the direction of the clinical supervisor, develop an Individual Treatment Plan (in conjunction with the youth and family) that identifies the interventions, treatment and services for the youth that is based on the needs identified in the Diagnostic Assessment.
- Schedule appointments and see the client to give requested services for the time and frequency agreed upon by the clinical treatment team and client, and as needed based on the client’s immediate needs.
- Coordinate and cooperate with other agency and community providers to provide the best possible care for the client. This practitioner will complete all necessary Release of Information documents for communication with other providers and keep these current for each client to be compliant with HIPAA and Data Privacy guidelines.
- Monitor client progress and with the clinical team, modify the treatment plan as appropriate. Communicate changes in service needs and make recommendations to Clinical Supervisor/Mental Health Professional, Treatment Director, Case Manager, and other members of the treatment team on an ongoing basis to coordinate client care.
- Intervene as necessary for emergencies and/or when he/she assesses that the client is unable to manage his/her illness in a reasonable manner. Contact to appropriate emergency services, doctors, staff, and emergency family contacts will be made to alert them of intervention planned or taken.
- Meet regularly with Clinical Supervisor/Mental Health Professional for individual and group reviews of client needs and receive direction for treatment. Annual chart audits will be completed.
- Complete CTSS Treatment Supervision plan and comply with plan requirements for supervision based on individual qualification status and certification requirements and update plan annually and/or as qualifications change.
- Strive to meet program's productivity (billing) goal as appropriate to role and responsibilities.
- Provide transportation when needed.
- Work effectively with minimal supervision.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in behavioral science or related field and completion of a practicum or internship that requires direct interaction with adults or children.
Experience:
Completed 2000 hours of working with children and families under the direct supervision of a licensed mental health professional.
Must have a valid MN driver's license and reliable vehicle.
Other training which is desirable for the position:
- Experience working with children who are severely and emotionally disturbed, dual diagnosis training, crisis intervention training, and trauma training.
Supplemental Information
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Skills need include interviewing, information collection, assessment, advocacy skills, report writing and resource development.
- Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of all Federal/State laws, Department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
- Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of mental health, substance use disorders, and community resources.
- Ability to independently make decisions supported by logical decision-making.
- Ability organize and prioritize work.
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
- Knowledge of psychotherapeutic techniques used in individual, couple group and family therapy.
- Knowledge of the principles and methodology of social case work and group work as it applies in a mental health setting.
- Knowledge of personality development and human behavior.
- Ability to integrate social, psychological and medical data in order to make professional judgments regarding client treatment plans.
- Ability to participate effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team.
- Ability to provide therapy and crisis intervention services on a one-to-one or in a group setting.
- Ability to deal with cross-cultural issues.
- Knowledge of psychiatric terminology and diagnostic classifications.
- Skill in providing court-ordered evaluations.
- Skill in identifying symptoms of emotional, sexual and physical abuse.
Accountabilities Shared by All Employees
- Performs job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the
- County's vision, mission, and values.
- Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of all department and county-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
- Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
- Informs immediate supervisor of all-important matters pertaining to assigned job responsibilities.
- Seeks opportunities for further personal growth and development.
- Represents the County in a professional manner to all internal and external contacts when doing the County's business.
- Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.
Hiring Salary Range: $33.63 - $40.37/hour
Vacancies: 1 - Full-time
Interviews: Selected candidates will be notified via email June 25th for interviews to be held on June 26th or 27th.
Union: Teamsters
Hours of Work
This position has a usual work schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; will include occasional evening and weekend hours.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
Must be able to endure extended travel, up to 8 hours or more per day. Must be able to provide own means of transportation when county vehicles are not available. May be required to travel to remote areas and in all weather conditions.
Must be able to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (15-25 pounds).
Typical Working Environment:
Most work performed in an office environment or an outreach program. Some outreach work performed in clients' homes, in hospitals, or in outside settings. May bend, stoop or crawl up to 50 minutes daily during play therapy sessions. May deal with threatening clients. Depressing conditions, including constant dealings with chronic patients who may be experiencing severe stress and depression.
Employer
Sherburne County
Address
Sherburne County Government Center
13880 Business Center Drive NW
Elk River, Minnesota, 55330-1692
Phone
763-765-3001
Website