Occupational Therapist Assistant (2353)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Director of Student Services / Principal

This position starts with the 2024-2025 school year.

Position Objective

The Student Wellness Counseling Specialist is responsible for providing clinical counseling support services to students impacted by various mental health needs such as but not limited to anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, grief and loss, trauma/crisis, suicidality and/or self-harm, self-injury, which impacts their ability to succeed in their respective academic environment and pursuits. Additionally, they effectively manage a student caseload, demonstrating the knowledge and skill necessary to provide age-appropriate and supportive clinical counseling tailored to the unique needs of the students served.

Essential Functions:

• Maintains a regular caseload of students with mental health/wellbeing challenges that may impede academic success and/or the school environment

• Assists students in coping utilizing individualized, brief solution focused therapy treatment methods

• Conducts formal intake interview to determine individualized counseling needs

• Applies dynamic, cognitive and behavioral techniques to improve psychological adjustment in the school environment

• Collaborates with and provides consultation to other relevant interdisciplinary professionals in planning effective strategies to support student wellbeing

Additional Functions:

• Provides consultation as needed with school staff and parents/legal guardians regarding impact of mental health and psychosocial factors on student wellbeing

• Assists in developing resources to resolve problems and interface these with school and community needs

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Completion of a Master's Degree in Counseling or closely related field.

• Professional Educator License preferred, but not required.

Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills. Able to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents

• Adaptable to different work scenarios and schedules. Able to prioritize efforts in order to achieve a student-focused solution

• Able to work in various team-oriented work groups to come to a student-focused solution

• Adhere to NASW Code of Ethics

Working conditions

• Mental Demands: calculating, comparing, evaluation, interpreting, organizing, consulting, analyzing, planning, documenting, specifying, coordinating, implementing, and presenting

• Physical Demands: bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, reaching, sitting for prolonged periods of time, standing, walking, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity, ability to read and write, ability to speak and understand the English language. Must be able to lift an individual student

• Environmental Conditions: The work is performed primarily indoors; however, outside work is required on occasion. Travel between buildings is a requirement