Mental Health Professsional

CATCH is seeking to contract Community-Based Mental Health Professionals to work directly with male and female adolescents who are exhibiting risk behaviors. The Mental Health Professional shall provide individualized services that are high-quality, child-centered, family-focused, in-home, or community-based, and designed to address specific and unique individual needs. Cases are located throughout Hampton, Newport News, Portsmouth, Carrollton, Norfolk, Suffolk, and occasionally Gloucester. Flexible availability is required for afternoon, evening, weekend, and/or overnight coverage.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

A. Provides direct mental health services to identify youth and their families.
B. Supports the implementation of the customized Individualized Service Plan (ISP).
C. Collaborates with supervisor to identify and provide appropriate interventions.
D. Teaches skill-building activities and developmentally appropriate behaviors (i.e., Basic life, communication, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and socialization skills; impulse control and delayed gratification; and exploring academic pursuits and enhancing self-esteem).
E. Establishes positive rapport and regularly communicates with parent(s)/guardian(s).
F. Exposes youth to situations in which newly learned skills and behaviors can be acquired and practiced.
G. Provides linkage to community-based services and resources as well as advocacy for family usage of these services.
H. Provides care coordination.
I. Coordinates and collaborates regularly with referring agencies, as well as other agencies involved in the youth’s and family’s case.
J. Attends and participates in the treatment team process by offering reports on individual treatment needs, goals, and progress during interagency and team meetings
K. Provides transportation, accompanies, and directly supervises youth on outings and activities in the community.
L. Provides emergency respite care.
M. Maintains professional and appropriate boundaries at all times.
N. Maximizes available case-specific hours appropriate for the individuals receiving services.
O. Maintains proper documentation, including monthly FAPT reports, according to agency and FAPT policies.
P. Submits progress notes and billing log weekly, according to agency policy and procedures.
Q. Ensures consumer and personnel files are compliant with agency documentation requirements.
R. Maintains current first aid and CPR and has identified behavior management certification.
S. Ability to work flexible schedules.
T. Available at all times to assist the individual in service experiencing an emergency.
U. Performs other required duties as needed.

Qualifications

1. A minimum of a high school diploma or GED certificate is required; a college degree is preferred.

2. One year of experience working with children, adolescents, or transition-age youth.

3. One year of experience working with and/or awareness of the unique needs of high-risk youth.

4. Must possess a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, proof of auto insurance, and registration to travel in the program service area to provide individualized services, attend meetings, and visit families.

5. Must pass the State Police Criminal Records and Department of Social Services Background Investigation Unit checks.

6. Must be able to meet all CPR, Behavioral Management, First Aid, and other training requirements established by the agency and state licensing departments.

Pay will be commensurate with experience.