Licensure Candidate or Therapist - Sartell & Sauk Rapids School District (Level 4 Programming)

As a Licensure Candidate or Therapist at Sartell & Sauk Rapids School District, your main responsibilities will include providing mental health services to at-risk children and their families, conducting sessions in a school environment and occasionally at home, and collaborating with other agencies involved in youth care. You will focus on accommodating your clients' needs by scheduling sessions during non-traditional hours, primarily after school and in the evenings. Additionally, you will be responsible for documenting case notes and managing billable hours efficiently.

To qualify for the Licensure Candidate position, you need to have completed a master's degree and be working toward licensure (LICSW, LPCC, LMFT, or LP). If applying as a licensed therapist, you must hold a full license as a mental health professional (LICSW, LPCC, LMFT, or LP). Additionally, having experience in direct care roles working with children and families facing mental health issues is essential. Familiarity with various counseling techniques, child development education, and behavior modification strategies is also beneficial.

Working with Sartell & Sauk Rapids School District as a Licensure Candidate or Therapist comes with a fantastic variety of benefits. These include comprehensive health insurance, paid time off including sick and safe time, and access to a generous Employee Assistance Program. The school district also offers a 403b retirement plan with match after a year, wellness programs, paid parental leave, and clinical supervision for licensure. Additional benefits include life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, as well as vision and dental insurance.

The work environment at Sartell & Sauk Rapids School District is supportive, collaborative, and vibrant. You will have the opportunity to serve in a ‘Circle of Courage’© community fostering a culture of belonging and independence. The setting primarily involves working within school premises but also allows for some home-based services, enabling you to connect with families in ways that suit their needs best. Expectations include professional engagement with colleagues and agencies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to mental health services for children.

Sartell & Sauk Rapids School District is committed to supporting Licensure Candidates throughout their licensure process. They provide clinical supervision from a board-certified clinical supervisor, which is crucial for those looking to achieve licensure (LICSW, LMFT, LPCC). This mentorship helps candidates gain the necessary experience and guidance, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the licensing requirements while gaining practical skills in a nurturing environment.

When answering this question, highlight specific examples from your past experiences, showcasing how you have engaged effectively with at-risk children. Talk about the approaches you utilized and how they made a difference in the children's lives. Show your understanding of their unique challenges and your strategies for fostering a supportive environment.

Demonstrate flexibility in scheduling by discussing how you would communicate with families to find convenient times for them. Share examples of past experiences where you accommodated such needs and how it positively impacted the relationship with the family.

Outline a range of counseling techniques you are well-versed in, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy, or solution-focused therapy. Provide details about how you have applied these techniques in previous roles and the outcomes they generated.

Explain your understanding of the importance of documentation for case notes and billing. You might mention your organizational skills and attention to detail in maintaining accurate and timely documentation to meet agency standards and safeguard client confidentiality.

Provide a specific story about a child or family you worked with, detailing the issue they faced and the steps you took towards a successful resolution. Highlight your problem-solving skills and the positive outcome that was achieved.

Discuss your awareness of the 'Circle of Courage'© framework, emphasizing its core values of Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and Generosity. Explain how these values would influence your work and your approach to supporting children and their families.

Describe your strategies for developing trust with clients, such as active listening, empathy, and being consistent in your interactions. Offer examples of how understanding cultural and individual differences have shaped your approach to building rapport.

Focus on your knowledge of age-appropriate therapeutic techniques such as games, art, and storytelling to create engaging sessions. Share techniques you've successfully used before and the methods that encourage active participation from children.

Talk about your commitment to continuous learning, whether it be through attending workshops, pursuing certifications, or staying updated with research in the field. Mention specific areas of development you are interested in, linked to your career at Sartell & Sauk Rapids School District.

Express the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, highlighting how it enhances the quality of care. Provide examples of successful collaborations in your past roles, emphasizing the positive outcomes for the children and families served.