Mental Health Specialist (DS Pittsburgh/PHP)

Pressley Ridge Benefits

The well-being of our employees and their families is important to us. At Pressley Ridge, we strive to provide the most competitive and comprehensive employee benefit programs that are affordable and help you and your family achieve and maintain your best possible health.

• Medical coverage available with a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer match


• Prescription coverage


• Dental and vision plans


• Patient advocate and Medicare specialists available at no cost


• Dependent Care Flexible Savings Account


• Wellness incentive (up to $250)


• 403b with up to 9% employer give/match


• Free life insurance and AD&D


• Paid sick time (up to 15 days)


• Paid holidays including a birthday holiday


• Tuition reimbursement (if applicable)


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Position Summary

The Mental Health Specialist (MHS) is responsible for providing instruction as well as monitoring effective individualized mental health programs for each assigned youth. The MHS also assists the classroom team within the school setting to provide mental health treatment and education.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Clinical and Support
   
   
   
   1. Detect and remediate, with the Coordinator of Program Services’ approval, if necessary, potentially dangerous environmental conditions (e.g., broken glass).
   
   
   2. With the approval of the coordinator, periodically serve on program committees.
   
   
   3. Assist in development and implementation of program based, crises safety plan.
   
   
   4. Administer assessments and complete necessary documentation related to the assessments.
   
   
   5. Using program-designated format, contribute information towards youth progress for discharge summaries.
   
   
   6. With the approval of the Program Director, provide in-service/training programs to other programs.
   
   
   7. Actively implement components of all Re-ED values in the program, home, and community settings.
   
   
   8. Implement Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP).
   
   
   9. Implement, and monitor individual and group interventions in accordance with Mental Health Treatment Plan goals.
   
   
   10. Participate in all regularly scheduled service programs.
   
   
   11. Demonstrate a proficient level of cultural sensitivity.
   
   
   
   


2. Risk Management and Safety
   
   
   
   1. Follow program-designated procedures for all physical contact with youth during physical restraints, searches and so on.
   
   
   2. Follow designated program policy regarding the documentation of critical incidents.
   
   
   3. Assist other staff, as needed, in physical interventions to protect youth and staff from injury.
   
   
   4. When transporting youth, maintain safe driving procedures.
   
   
   5. Follow program-designated procedures for handling illness and injury, including arranging necessary medical care--(with the approval of the Nurse and Coordinator or Program Director)—informing appropriate persons of the situation, and documenting the injury/illness and actions taken.
   
   
   6. According to a designated schedule, supervise youth arrival and departure to from program.
   
   
   
   


3. Documentation
   
   
   
   1. Utilize technology through electronic documentation, electronic communication, and use of the internet to supplement programming and communication.
   
   
   2. Provide documentation that follows program procedures, State licensing, and Medicaid regulations. Sign off on various documentation per program procedures and licensing regulations.
   
   
   3. Complete written work that is legible accurate and uses professional clinical language.
   
   
   4. Complete record-keeping procedures for team meetings, including preparation of information to report to teammates (e.g., daily progress notes).
   
   
   5. Complete daily progress notes, mental health treatment plan reviews, attendance information.
   
   
   6. Completes daily partial hospital attendance sheet.
   
   
   7. Meet timelines for submitting paperwork.
   
   
   
   


4. Supervision
   
   
   
   1. Receive supervision.  
      
      
      
      1. Receive supervision from and actively communicate with supervisor on an ongoing basis throughout the week by phone, email, written message and when possible, in person regarding program matters
      
      
      
      
   
   
   
   


5. Leadership
   
   
   
   1. Directly always supervise assigned youth via visual and auditory contact during program day unless otherwise arranged.
   
   
   
   


6. Professional Development
   
   
   
   1. With the approval of the Program Director, give formal presentations on program-relevant issues at local, state, or national workshops or conventions.
   
   
   2. With the approval of the Program/ Director, periodically attend local, state, or national conferences and workshops.
   
   
   
   

Qualifications

1. Education/Credentials/License.
   
   
   
   1. Requires a bachelor’s degree in a recognized clinical discipline including social work, psychology, rehabilitation or activity therapies.
   
   
   2. Requires a valid state driver’s license, safe driving record, and current auto insurance.
   
   
   
   


2. Experience
   
   
   
   1. Requires training and/or experience in mental health services prior to providing services. Requires successful completion of Pressley Ridge's internal training plan, based on prior experience, before being assigned to clients.
   
   
   
   


3. Clearances Required by Applicable Regulations:  
   
   
   
   1. State Police 
   
   
   2. FBI 
   
   
   3. Child Abuse Clearances 
   
   
   4. Mandated Reporter-Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse training certificate and/or statement
   
   
   
   

Working Conditions

1. Physical Demands:  
   
   
   
   1. This position requires operating a keypad device 25% of the day and electronic/office equipment 50% of the day. Travel includes transporting students to and from school, school-based appointments, and/or field trips. Fingers, thumbs, hands, wrists, elbows, legs and feet are all routinely used throughout the day. The lower and upper torso is used 25% of the day. Employee must meet minimum requirements for hearing, speech, and vision. Walking is required 25% of the day. Standing occurs 25% of the day. Sitting happens 75% of the day. Reaching above the shoulder as well as bending and twisting are performed 25% of the day. This function routinely lifts 10 pounds, 4 times per day. The maximum lift is under 50 pounds, 1 time per day. The position requires the ability to implement physical interventions and meet the physical demands of TCI. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.   
   
   
   
   


2. Mental Demands: 
   
   
   
   1. Continually handles diversity of problems.
   
   
   2. Frequently performs multiple tasks, makes quick decisions, concentrates, and handles distractions that interfere.
   
   
   
   


3. Environmental Factors:  
   
   
   
   1. Environmental demands require this position in schools and community.  
   
   
   
   


4. Working Hours:  
   
   
   
   1. Hours dependent on school schedule. Flexibility to meet student needs.  
   
   
   2. Day School Pittsburgh is on a 10-month/ school year schedule.