Mental Health Assistant - Cameron County

Mental Health Assistant

SALARY:35,100.00

REPORTS TO:

Mental Health Coordinator

SUPERVISES:

N/A

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND a minimum of one (1) year experience preferred in direct juvenile care, counseling, law enforcement, corrections or other related field.

Licenses, Certificates, and Experience

• Must be over twenty-one (21) years of age (for state certification requirements);
• Current Texas Driver's License and must have an automobile with current automobile insurance;
• Ability to communicate effectively (reading, writing, and understanding) in English; knowledge of Spanish is preferred;
• Able to submit to a drug urinalysis pre-screening exam and pass a criminal background check. If the candidate for employment does have a criminal record, it must be cleared through the requirements as set forth by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
• Must be bondable

After Hire Licenses or Certificates

• Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification and First Aid (FA);
• Handle with Care (HWC) State Approved Restraint Technique Certification

• Assist Mental Health Coordinator with administering and scoring tests for Behavioral Health Assessment orders.
• Assist Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Sex Offender Treatment Provider with administering and scoring tests to youth to determine appropriateness for community-based programs.
• Complete secondary mental health screenings for the juveniles that score high on MAYSI's (contingent on academic qualifications).
• Provide individual/group skills training to our pre and post programs as well as community-based programs utilizing evidenced-based curriculums.
• Provide career skills assessment/training groups to post and community-based programs.
• Assist mental health division with special events that pertain to Mental Health.
• Assist in staff trainings in the field of Mental Health.
• Track and document all data into JCMS, spreadsheets.
• Triage follow up with probation officers and facility administrator.
• Complete community referrals to mental health agencies.
• Enter documentation for the Mental Health Coordinator and counseling interns into JCMS.
• Complete clerical duties to include typing, filing, organizing, taking messages, creating files, etc.
• Assist in completing grant reports as assigned.
• Supervise juveniles during testing.
• Submit reports to probation officers as needed.
• Keep statistical data as assigned.
• Represent CCJJD with community networking.
• Use creative abilities to create visual aids, and power point presentations for training purposes.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with juveniles and parents (families).
• Ability to maintain a professional relationship with other employees, agencies, etc.
• Must be available for flexible scheduling.
• Coordinate with supervisor, the operations, activities and supervision of matters that is consistent with the philosophy and objective of the department.
• Make initial contact with clients in pre/post facilities for crisis intervention and upon receiving Behavioral Health Referral to determine the nature of the referral and to gather additional information.
• Assists with the processing of various referrals, including, but not limited to, counseling, treatment and case management. Verifies attendance and completion of alcohol, drug, mental health counseling and any other court ordered programs.
• Maintains client files and records consistent with laws and policies.
• Transport clients to off-site locations, as required.
• MUST BE AVAILABLE for all emergencies to include, but not limited to: inclement weather, taking juveniles into custody, transporting; probation juveniles to placement or emergency release facilities, doctor(s) office(s) as directed by Supervisor
• Adhere, maintain, and comply with professional conduct and ethical behavior consistent with the standards and policies and procedures expected by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), TJJD, Cameron County, and Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department (CCJJD) at all time, both on duty and off duty.
• Adhere and comply with all PREA standards and will follow zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment while conducting business in the pre and post-adjudication facilities.
• Adhere and comply with all TJJD standards to include Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) standards and cooperate with all ANE investigations.
• Adhere and comply CCJJD's and Cameron County's policies and procedures and know how to keep abreast of any changes to said policies and procedures, including maintaining an effective safety program as established by Cameron County.
• Abide by all federal, state, and local laws; the nature of our profession requires being a good role model and setting a good example at all times.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required.
• Employment is contingent upon federal, state, local and/or grants availability.
• CCJJD is an At-Will employer; the department has the right to terminate your employment for any legal reason, or no reason, at any time either with or without notice.
• Perform any and all other duties as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and/or designee to include reassignment which is in the best interest of the department.

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Applicable Juvenile Justice System standards and procedures.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• General knowledge of providing trauma-informed care, building rapport, establishing appropriate relationships, and social adjustment.
• Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Physical restraint techniques to prevent self-injurious and assaultive behavior and escape.

Skills In:

• Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
• Problem solving and decision making.
• Interviewing clients
• Both verbal and written communication.
• Basic Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages

Ability To:

• Gather, analyze and evaluate facts to conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
• Required to possibly work different schedules in order to meet the needs of the program
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Maintain client and program confidentiality.
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Submit written documentation clearly, accurately, and impartially.
• Perform effectively and courteously in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other county employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.

Work Environment:

• Tobacco free environment.
• Absolutely no electronic devices or cell phones allowed in the pre or post-adjudication facilities while either on/off shift.
• Moderate travel with little or no notice (emergency transport) requiring additional hours after scheduled shift and/or overnight stays may be required for transports or training.
• Subject to contact with communicable diseases, hazardous waste, human fecal manner and foul odors.
• Must be able to work in high noise level environment.
• Position involves a range of activities, from sitting at a desk for several hours to conducting home visits, school checks and curfew checks. While conducting these visits, all rules and guidelines of the juvenile probation department's policy regarding office safety will be followed. Communication via cell phone and/or assigned portable radio will be adhered to at all times.
• At no time, will the review or use of social media be allowed while on duty, and/or on County provided electronic equipment, except in limited situations where such activity is work related and is authorized by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer or designee.

Physical Demands:

• Physical requirements include the ability to life/carry up to 50-100 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform essential functions.
• When back-up emergency response is needed, must be able to run to the requested location.

Work Uniforms:

• Must adhere to the CCJJD Dress Code Policy
• If visible tattoos, sleeves or cover ups must be worn.
• Sets the example regarding personal appearance with regards to hair being neatly trimmed and combed.