Mental Health Assessment Clinician Position Available In Rockdale, Georgia

Mental Health Assessment Clinician 2.3 2.3 out of 5 stars 981 Milstead Ave NE, Conyers, GA 30012 Job Summary This position is responsible for assessing the needs of children and adolescents referred to Juvenile Court. Duties include participating in team meetings to develop service plans or plans of action for child and family. Work also includes providing one-on-one counseling and instruction to children and families, coordinating services with other agencies, and assisting families with connecting with other social service agencies. Essential Functions These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position. Administers mental health screenings and referrals for Mental Health, Alcohol, and Substance Abuse assessments, scores, and interprets results of the assessment, completes brief psychosocial history, compiles data and formulates reports. Identifies recommendations to initiate mental health/substance abuse treatment and submits results to the court. Serves as service coordinator for assigned KidsNet/Juvenile Court youths and develops a unified service plan, coordinates services, and responds to crisis situations. Research available services and programs to provide referrals for mental health, substance abuse treatment, and social service agencies. Reviews background materials for each child and plans appropriate therapeutic methodologies. Makes appropriate referrals for mental health/substance abuse services by contacting local providers and scheduling therapeutic appointments. Attends (delinquent) detention, arraignment, ad judicatory, and disposition hearings to provide crisis and/or assigned mental health triage to juveniles. Identifies juveniles who potentially need mental health/substance abuse services when they come for their detention, arraignment, adjudicatory, and disposition hearings. Provides crisis counseling and interventions to children and families (if requested) who are otherwise not assigned to have an assessment. Administers mental health assessments to assigned juveniles (ages 9-17) and provides crisis intervention interviews with children and families. Monitors progress of clients and makes reports to Juvenile Court workers regarding the status of clients. Network with local mental health service providers in order to be knowledgeable about treatments/services provided, in order to make the most appropriate referrals for juveniles. Assesses for potential child abuse and makes necessary Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) referrals. Administers suicide risk assessment and ensures any juvenile at risk of harming themselves is hospitalized. Assists in Juvenile Drug Court implementation; screens potential candidates, as well as ensures that participants receive the appropriate substance abuse treatment. Screens all juveniles with pending ungovernable complaints to promote diversion plans through counseling. Communicates with agencies/providers, parents, and children to promote continuation of care. Communicates with children, families, mental health/substance abuse providers, school officials, and other agencies to determine the strengths and weaknesses of existing programs. Participates in planning meetings, reviews, and other team meetings related to clients. Participates in Rockdale System of Care meetings, Reclaiming Future’s committee activities, cross-agency training, and workshops. Creates a database to record demographic data, recommendations, and treatment progress. Maintains and reports statistical data collected to illustrate the number of children in juvenile court with substance abuse and/or mental health issues in an effort to facilitate advocacy, increase program implementation, and funding opportunities. Maintains confidentiality of all information. Coordinates services for clients with other agencies.

Additional Duties:

Employees in this classification may be expected to perform any related duties as required by proper authority. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of current trends and treatment approaches for Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED) youth. Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Knowledge of community and social agencies. Knowledge of adolescent development and basic psychological principles. Knowledge of psychotropic medications and side effects, and of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV), published by the American Psychiatric Association, diagnoses. Knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint). Skill in interviewing and providing counseling. Skill in clinical report writing. Skill in operating modern office equipment. Skill in writing and editing various forms of information materials utilizing proper grammar, punctuation, syntax, and clarity. Skill in time management and organization practices, including scheduling and prioritizing tasks. Ability to meet and deal tactfully and effectively with the public. Ability to listen and maintain open communication with people who may be angry, frustrated, or fearful. Ability to deal with potential hostility and verbal abuse. Ability to learn, interpret, and apply pertinent Federal, State, and County laws, codes, and regulations. Ability to exercise mature judgment and professional handling of confidential matters. Ability to meet deadlines expeditiously and perform under stressful circumstances. Ability to comprehend and execute written directives and materials as appropriate. Ability to exercise patience and sensitivity to families and persons in crisis. Ability to identify triage situations and determine the most appropriate referrals based on the situation. Ability to interpret and appropriately communicate legal constraints and procedures. Ability to authoritatively manage and obtain the cooperation of parties, persons, and agencies. Ability to effectively and appropriately respond to emergency matters. Ability to travel within the required service area. Working Conditions Normal office condition. Occasionally will do home or on-site visits. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Minimum Qualifications 1) Master’s degree in psychology, counseling or social work. 2) Three (3) years experience providing counseling, crisis intervention, and/or case management. 3) Or have a combination of education, training and work experience that is equivalent to #1 and #2 above that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this job. 4) Current and valid State of Georgia driver’s license. Preference 1) Eligible to obtain licensure or active licensure at an associate’s level (Licensed Master Social Worker, Associate Professional Counselor, or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist) by the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists.