Mental Health Practitioner

Description

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Love working with people and looking to grow in your human service career? Looking for a position with new challenges, with meaning and with purpose? Solutions Behavioral Healthcare Professionals ("Solutions") is a dynamic and thriving organization that provides mental health and human services in several Minnesota locations. We pride ourselves in being leaders, including the utilization of best practices. We are a clinician-led organization, and this position works under the clinical supervision of a Mental Health Professional. We are seeking someone with energy and enthusiasm to join our team of Mental Health Practitioners in our Moorhead office, someone committed to quality and espousing of our important social mission.

WHAT DOES THE JOB LOOK LIKE?

Our Mental Health Practitioners provide rehabilitative mental health services for adults and children. These services are available for MN Medicaid recipients with mental health needs, and are designed to restore functioning that has been compromised due to the person's mental health condition. Services are generally provided in community settings, such as the client's home, for accessibility and generalization of the interventions being provided. Adult services are provided under the Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services program (ARMHS), and are designed to provide support and skills training. The Mental Health Practitioner also provides services within the Children's Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) program. This program is therapeutically driven, and addresses areas in which the child is off track developmentally, due to a mental health condition. The Mental Health Practitioner provides services according to a treatment plan, and practices under the supervision of a licensed Mental Health Professional. This position is an important representative of the agency, and is responsible for maintaining positive relationships with community partners. It is an active ambassador for the agency in its mission to address unmet needs.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Solutions is looking for a team player who is passionate about our mission! A qualified individual would have excellent "people" skills. This individual must meet state criteria for classification as a Mental Health Practitioner. These criteria are:

• Hold a bachelor's degree in a behavioral science or related field from an accredited college/university AND have completed 2000 hours of supervised clinical experience delivering clinical services to treat mental illness or child/adult with emotional disturbances; OR
• Have completed 4000 hours of supervised clinical services experience delivering mental illness treatment; OR
• Be an enrolled graduate student in behavioral science/related field formally assigned to the center for clinical training by accredited college/university; OR
• Obtained a master's degree/doctorate in behavioral science/related field from accredited college/university.

The ideal candidate is someone who is a self-starter and who has good teaching skills. They would be versed in identifying stages of change and have foundational skills in motivational interviewing. They would strive towards cultural competence. This individual must pass a criminal background check, possess a valid driver's license and maintain current automobile insurance. Furthermore, Solutions is committed to providing a safe work environment for its staff and clientele.

WHY APPLY?

Solutions offers a great compensation and benefit package for its employees, including competitive salary, health insurance, 401k plan with up to 4% match, PTO, life insurance and group dental, vision, and AFLAC. Working in our non-profit agency may qualify employees for forgiveness of federal student loans. We offer flexible schedules and value a good work/life balance. This position would be joining a team of experienced Mental Health Practitioners who can provide support and mentoring. Providing evidence-based treatment is foundational for Solutions, therefore training is prioritized. There is also ample room for professional development at Solutions, and we value collaborating with staff at all levels to achieve their career goals.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

Solutions does not discriminate in employment with regard to race, creed, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, age, gender, sexual orientation, or number of dependents. In fact, it values diversity within its work force. As part of the Solutions team, no provider or staff member shall aid, coerce, or conspire to cause a termination or resignation of another team member because of illegal discriminatory factors.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

An MHP is educationally qualified

1. by holding a master's or other graduate degree in behavioral sciences or related fields OR
2. by completing at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in Behavioral Sciences or related fields AND

Has at least 2000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to adults or children with:

• mental illness or substance use disorder
• traumatic brain injury or developmental disabilities and completes 30 hours of additional training on mental illness, recovery and resiliency, mental health de-escalation techniques, co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse, and psychotropic medications and side effects

OR

• has completed a practicum or internship that required direct interaction with adults or children served, and was focused on behavioral sciences or related fields;

OR

• Is working in a MHCP-enrolled adult or children's day treatment program

The MHP may qualify through work experience if they have either

At least 4000 hours of experience in the delivery of services to adults or children with

• mental illness or substance use disorder
• traumatic brain injury or developmental disabilities and completes 30 hours of additional training on mental illness, recovery and resiliency, mental health de-escalation techniques, co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse, and psychotropic medications and side effects

At least 2000 hours of work experience and receives treatment supervision at least once per week until meeting the requirement of 4000 hours in the delivery of services to adults or children as described above

Required Skills & Characteristics

The Mental Health Practitioner must:

• Be at least 21 years of age;
• Pass a criminal background check;
• Meet the Minnesota DHS educational and experiential criteria for classification as a MHP;
• Have excellent "people" skills, including sincerity, discretion, rapport, empathy, and persistence in the face of resistance
• Have Motivational Interviewing skills;
• Have instructional/teaching skills, e.g., Behavioral Skills Training
• Have good boundaries and respect privacy;
• Possess a valid driver's license and maintain current automobile insurance.

Required Training

New MHP's receive training in vulnerable adult maltreatment and the maltreatment of minor reporting requirements and definitions. Before providing direct contact services to clients the MHP receives training in client rights and protections, MN Health Records Act, emergency procedures, specific job functions and responsibilities, professional boundaries, and the specific needs of clients being assigned. The MHP receives training in mental illness, client recovery and resiliency, mental health de-escalation techniques, co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders; and psychotropic medications and medication side effects. Within 90 days of first providing services the MHP must receive training about trauma-informed care and secondary trauma; person / family-centered individual treatment plans, including seeking partnerships with family and other natural supports; mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders with individuals / family systems; child development, including cognitive functioning, and physical and mental abilities; and culturally responsive treatment practices. An MHP working in CTSS must have training working with children. A MHP working in ARMHS must have training working with adults.

The MHP must receive 15 hours of training in the topics above every two years. Additionally, Solutions' policy is for all staff to have 20 hours of training each calendar year.