Mental Health Professional Job Description
Mental health professional
provides mental health services to offenders, including: crisis intervention; screening; psychological assessment & evaluation; psycho-educational services; individual & group therapy; treatment planning; and, release planning.
Mental Health Professional Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective mental health professional job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included mental health professional job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Crisis intervention services to persons served as referred by institutional and medical staff or to self-referred persons served
Respond to and provide mental health crisis intervention in psychiatric emergencies as needed for the entire facility
Provide staff training on relevant mental health topics such as signs and symptoms of mental illness, management of mentally ill inmates, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and related topics
Assists inmates and detainees plan a program for reentry into the community emphasizing identification of inmate work skills, interpersonal relationships, leisure activities, life skills, communication
Maintains contact with outside agencies, community resources, employees, volunteers, to implement rehabilitative and/or social services programs to inmates
Maintains detailed case records and official reports on inmates
Provides a full-range of supportive mental health services including brief individual counseling, group counseling (process or psycho-educational), and specialty group counseling (e.g., anger management, coping skills, end of sentence, life term, ), and I/D/R consultations
Provides a full-range of supportive mental health services including brief individual counseling, group counseling (process or psycho-educational), and specialty group counseling (e.g., anger management, end of sentence, life term, ), and inmate consultations
Provides Psychological Testing, if licensure allows, that is consistent with permission of their Professional State Licensure
Completes clinical and administrative processes and documentation in compliance with Medicaid, insurance, Joint Commission, program, and departmental policies and procedures.This may include participation in administrative tasks such as medical record reviews, treatment outcomes projects, and program development projects in addition to direct-service-related documentation
Mental Health Professional Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Mental Health Professional
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: CPR
Education for Mental Health Professional
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the mental health professional job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Master's and Collage Degree in Social Science, Health, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Education, Human Services, Clinical Psychology, Nursing, Behavioral Sciences
Skills for Mental Health Professional
Desired skills for mental health professional include:
Group and individual psychotherapy
Crisis intervention
Psychological assessment techniques
Mental health counseling
Mental health consultation
Diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders
Bio-psycho-social functions that contribute to mental health
Evidence-Based Practice and psychotherapy research methods
Member/patient confidentiality
Professional board standards as is related to member treatment
Desired experience for mental health professional includes:
Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience working with Children and Adolescents in a mental health setting
Master's degree from an accredited university in a clinical mental health discipline and a minimum of one (1) year verified experience in the mental health field
Valid California drivers license preferred
Applicant should demonstrate skills in training, multicultural competence and the ability to work with a diverse student population as part of a multidisciplinary team
Master’s degree is required, preferably in counseling, psychology, social work or related field
Current license as a Marriage and Family Therapist or a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State if California is required
Mental Health Professional Examples
1
Mental Health Professional Job Description
Job Description Example
Our company is looking to fill the role of mental health professional. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of qualifications below.
Responsibilities for mental health professional
- Individual and group psychotherapy/counseling to persons served with the goals of reducing maladaptive behavior and fostering effective psychological functioning
- Completion of Clinical Service Reports of persons served as assigned based upon requests of the Facility administrative staff, Parole Board or other appropriate agencies in accordance with the policy and procedures of the company
- Completion of relevant clinical documentation in the health record regarding the persons served participation in mental health treatment
- For Mental Health Professionals assigned to a Reception and Diagnostic Unit, primary duties include completion of a diagnostic evaluation, to include clinical interview, interpretation of psychological testing, and development of a written report to include findings and recommendations
- Consultation services for institutional screening committees to include, but not limited to, Initial Classification Boards and Segregation Review Boards
- Provision of consultation services to institutional staff concerning the mental status and management of persons served
- Completion of regular reports of the employee’s activities
- Support and/or monitoring of persons served mental condition for institutional psychiatric staff
- Participation in specialized clinical services and/or program development activities in a professional, timely manner providing these duties have been assumed with the mutual agreement of staff member and supervisors
- Triages and conducts intake evaluations and/or assessments for patients admitted to outpatient housing unit and/or referred by Security, Healthcare staff, and other Community sources and makes appropriate recommendations to the healthcare unit and security staff regarding the direction or required level of care
Qualifications for mental health professional
- Master’s degree in psychology or social work complimented with two (2) years case work and counseling experience
- Experience working with an offender population is highly desired
- Must be mature, professional, cooperative and empathetic to the program needs of the facility and the inmates
- Master’s degree as a Mental Health Clinician who has full licensure, provisional licensure, or registered intern status as a mental health provider under Chapter 491 (Florida Statutes)
- State licensure as a Clinical Social Worker or Mental Health Counselor (if claiming license eligibility, applicant must be able to provide proper documentation)
- One (1) year experience providing mental health services in an institutional setting is preferred
2
Mental Health Professional Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of mental health professional. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for mental health professional
- Refer all inmates eligible for involuntary treatment to the appropriate health care provider for evaluation
- Recommend special housing or special watch and/or observation to security staff based on clinical findings
- Identify and conduct other essential treatment services such as, psychoeducational groups, substance abuse counseling, pre-release planning, and other transitional groups when appropriate
- Recommend and develop treatment plans to address the full scope of services that are clinically indicated for patients including but not limited to group and individual therapy, when appropriate for inmates on his/her caseload and ensure regular updates are completed in accordance with local policy
- When applicable, initiates involuntary hospitalization for patients who need to be transferred to an outside Mental Health facility and generate appropriate paperwork relevant to the hospitalization
- Assess for suicide risk and provide suicide prevention interventions and management techniques for high-risk inmates
- Conduct daily rounds and evaluations to assess the treatment needs of inmates that request or desire mental health services within the jail setting especially for those in segregation/ separation units
- Address sick call requests and evaluate patients by obtaining biopsychosocial history, including current medication and consulting with other health care providers to consider continuing psychotropic medications
- Refer to prescribing providers when clinically indicated and coordinate closely with the Prescriber to ensure that patients requiring evaluation or re-evaluation for medication are seen in a timely manner with pertinent information to the patient’s clinical condition available
- Encourage medication adherence and identify when patients are non-adherent to the prescribed regimen
Qualifications for mental health professional
- Must be able to work individual and in a team environment
- Must be able to develop clear and concise reports in a timely manner
- Three (3) years of experience providing treatment to adults with various mental health disabilities
- Experience providing case management services for a population
- Knowledge of dual diagnosis treatment practices including non-pharmacological symptom management techniques
- Experience with Crisis/Risk Management
3
Mental Health Professional Job Description
Job Description Example
Our growing company is hiring for a mental health professional. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. While this is our ideal list, we will consider candidates that do not necessarily have all of the qualifications, but have sufficient experience and talent.
Responsibilities for mental health professional
- Provide linkage and/or discharge planning services when necessary or when appropriate
- Oversee the clinical needs of patients on his/her caseload
- When applicable, participate in the treatment programming and planning discussion of challenging cases and follow-up to monitor compliance and outcomes
- Attends regular treatment team multidisciplinary meetings, classification meetings, or other required administrative meetings
- Participates in CQI and QA studies and group sessions
- Monitors the clinical condition and treatment needs of Special Needs population
- Works effectively with all staff including security, healthcare, ancillary, and administrative staff
- Provide on-call services as needed
- Document all findings in the patient’s health record providing written summaries of history, diagnosis and treatment course, and other documentation requirements as outlined by company and Facility policy
- Provide services in compliance with Facility and company Safety and Mental Health Policies and Procedures
Qualifications for mental health professional
- Advanced knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, discharge planning and excellent documentation skills
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a mental health related field such as Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work
- Required qualifications include the terminal degree in a mental health field
- Supervised experience in a mental health setting
- Interest and experience in providing clinical services to a multicultural population
- Preferred qualifications include interest and experience in working with under-represented students and international students
4
Mental Health Professional Job Description
Job Description Example
Our innovative and growing company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of mental health professional. To join our growing team, please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications.
Responsibilities for mental health professional
- Monitors, evaluates and records client progress with respect to treatment goals
- Interviews clients, reviews records, conducts assessments and confers with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients
- Collaborates with Counselors to plan and coordinate treatments drawing on social work experience and client needs
- Facilitates the psycho-education classes and therapies for the residents and assures the resident program complies with DCJ and ACA standards
- Provides on call mental health coverage on a rotating basis
- Provide direct clinical and consultation services in accordance with The Company Policies and procedures, policies and procedures of the institution, and in accordance with the ethics and standards of relevant professional organizations (e.g., NASW, APA)
- Interrelate and work effectively with facility staff, patients, and outside support agencies as delegated by MH Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor, or MH Director
- Maintain the confidentiality of patient information in accordance with The Company policy and procedure, state law, site policy and the standards of the NCCHC and ACA, if those accrediting bodies are applicable to the site
- Completion of specific duties and responsibilities as designated by the Mental Health Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor or Mental Health Director
- Completion of Clinical Service Reports of patients as assigned by the Mental Health Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor or Mental Health Director based upon requests of the Facility administrative staff, Parole Board or other appropriate agencies in accordance with the policy and procedures of The Company
Qualifications for mental health professional
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a mental health related field such as Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Rehabilitative Counseling, or Ed.S
- State licensure as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Mental Health Counselor (if claiming license eligibility, applicant must be able to provide proper documentation)
- Must be willing to undergo a rigorous background investigation as required by U.S. Marshals
- Licensed by Arkansas Professional Board Required (LMSW, LCSW, LAC, LPC, LPE, LAMFT or LMFT licensure preferred)
- Terminal Degree in Mental Health Field
- Licensed or licensed eligible in the Commonwealth of Virginia
5
Mental Health Professional Job Description
Job Description Example
Our growing company is searching for experienced candidates for the position of mental health professional. We appreciate you taking the time to review the list of qualifications and to apply for the position. If you don’t fill all of the qualifications, you may still be considered depending on your level of experience.
Responsibilities for mental health professional
- Documents all assessments, treatment sessions, contacts, case management and other work done on behalf of patients according to institute and regulatory guidelines
- Track when BH Treatment Plans are due for an update and inform the physician
- Two (2) or more years of experience providing treatment to adults with various mental health disabilities required
- Master’s Degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, or related field
- State licensure (dependent upon the state) as a Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Professional or Mental Health Counselor (if claiming license eligibility, applicant must be able to provide proper documentation)
- Licensed interns may be considered based on client requirements
Qualifications for mental health professional
- Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Nursing or closely related field
- 2 years supervised therapy experience in mental health including assessment, individual, group and family
- Current and valid Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) from Arkansas Professional Board
- Ability to pass Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check, State Police background check, and drug test
- Ability to pass TB screening
- One (1) or more years of experience in a Mental Health treatment program, preferably in a Correctional or Hospital setting