Mental Health Specialist

As a Mental Health Specialist (MHS) at CCRES, your primary responsibilities include providing support services to school-aged students in the New Hope-Solebury School District in the morning hours before they start their school day. This involves working with children with emotional or behavioral needs, assisting in their transition from home to school, and delivering individual coping strategies to parents or caregivers to enhance their child's emotional well-being.

To become a Mental Health Specialist at CCRES, you need a Master’s degree from an accredited university in a mental health or human services field, such as Clinical Psychology, Counseling, or Clinical Social Work. Additionally, having at least six months of experience providing clinical therapy in individual, family, or group settings is preferred. Relevant training in positive behavior supports and applied counseling practices is also beneficial.

CCRES offers an attractive pay rate of $75.00 per hour for the Mental Health Specialist (MHS) role. This independent contract position is designed to recognize the expertise and contributions you bring while providing essential services to students in need.

Yes, all candidates applying for the Mental Health Specialist position at CCRES must possess clearances that are current within the last twelve months. These include the PA Child Abuse Clearance, PA Criminal Clearance, and a background check through the PA Department of Education FBI, among others. These clearances are vital to ensuring the safety and well-being of the students you will work with.

To apply for the Mental Health Specialist position at CCRES, you can visit their official website where you will find the application link. Submit your resume along with any required documentation to express your interest in making a meaningful impact in children's lives.

When answering this question, highlight specific examples of past experiences where you engaged with children who had similar challenges. Discuss the strategies you employed, how you supported their needs, and any positive outcomes that resulted. This showcases your hands-on experience, and understanding, and reinforces your fit for the Mental Health Specialist role at CCRES.

Explain tailored coping strategies you have successfully implemented. Discuss techniques like creating morning routines, using visual schedules, or practicing deep breathing exercises. The goal is to convey your ability to equip children and their parents with practical tools that facilitate smoother transitions.

Emphasize the importance of teamwork in your response. Talk about ways you’ve partnered with parents, such as conducting regular check-ins, developing shared goals, and providing actionable advice. Highlighting communication and trust-building conveys your commitment to a holistic approach in supporting the child's mental health.

Discuss adaptive strategies to build rapport with the child. Mention techniques such as using play therapy, finding engaging activities, or validating their feelings. The aim is to demonstrate your patience and creativity in fostering a trusting environment that encourages participation.

Provide a specific case where you developed a behavioral intervention that yielded positive results. Focus on the problem, your proposed solution, and the eventual outcome. This showcases your analytical skills and effectiveness as a Mental Health Specialist at CCRES.

Talk about your techniques for managing stressful situations, such as staying calm, using de-escalation tactics, and relying on insights from your training. Show that you're equipped to deal with challenges with a constructive mindset.

Discuss methodologies you have used to track and measure progress effectively, such as setting measurable goals, utilizing behavioral logs, and gathering feedback from parents or teachers. Demonstrating data-driven approaches highlights your professionalism and commitment to improvement.

Mention resources you engage with, such as professional journals, workshops, and online courses. This reflects your dedication to continuous learning and improving your skills as a Mental Health Specialist, which is valued in a role within CCRES.

Convey your understanding by discussing the pivotal role MHS plays in school environments. Talk about providing emotional support, working directly with students and their families, and collaborating with educational staff to create an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for mental health.

Share your intrinsic motivations for joining CCRES, emphasizing your alignment with their mission of helping children, families, and schools. Personal anecdotes or experiences related to their values can make your answer compelling, showcasing your genuine interest in contributing to their impactful work.