Mental Health Assistant

001 University of Rochester; United States; On-site; USD 33,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Rochester seeks a Bilingual Mental Health Assistant to join the Psychology-MHFC team in Rochester, NY. The role involves partnering with clinicians to deliver culturally responsive mental health services, interpreting sessions, and advocating for clients across schools and community providers.

Required are a Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related field and Swahili fluency with refugee trauma experience; travel to multiple sites will be required; strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related field and 1 year of experience in working with behavioral health population in a direct care capacity required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Fluency in Swahili, and knowledge of the culture. Has experience working with refugee youth and families impacted by trauma.

Responsibilities

• Partner with clinicians to deliver clinical services and advocate for clients.
• Co-facilitate and interpret during social emotional learning groups.
• Act as liaison between school, community providers, parents and refugee community.
• Provide training and ongoing consultation to school staff and other service providers regarding refugee experiences and cultural norms/practices.
• Participate in trainings and meetings required for the role.
• Facilitate or obtain informed consent for participation in group or individual counseling and intake processes.
• Educate parents/caregivers about the purpose of counseling.
• Facilitate communication between clinicians and parents and provide feedback to parents.
• Provide cultural context and guidance for co-facilitator(s).
• Identify culturally accurate elements to enhance implementation of the TST-R model.

Skills

Communication skills

Fluency in Swahili

Cultural mediation

Team player

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related field

Tools

NYS driver's license

Job description

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address): 187 Edinburgh St, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14608

Opening: Worker Subtype: Regular Time Type: Full time Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Department: 210632 Psychology-MHFC Work Shift: UR - Day (United States of America) Range: UR URC 208 H Compensation Range: $24.00 - $33.60 The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities

• Bilingual Mental Health Assistant, the individual will function as a cultural broker, who: partners with clinicians in all aspects of clinical service delivery (i.e. assessment, treatment planning, implementation of a clinical intervention, consultation); adds context related to a client’s sociocultural history, cultural background, and other culturally-relevant information to a clinical interaction in order to facilitate deeper understanding of a client’s strengths and needs; and advocates on behalf of clients and liaises between groups or persons of different cultural backgrounds for the purpose of reducing conflict or producing change and improving providing culturally relevant services.
• Co‑facilitate and interpret during social emotional learning groups (i.e. plan with partner co‑facilitators before group, facilitation of and participation in all group sessions, debrief after each group) Regularly obtain guidance through Boston Children’s Hospital to ensure fidelity to the TST‑R model, and/or support individual and group work.
• Act as a liaison between school, community providers, parents and refugee community; build relationship and enhance communication through community outreach initiatives.
• Provide training and ongoing consultation to school staff and other service providers in the community about the refugee experience and cultural norms/practices.
• Participate in trainings and meetings that are required to fulfill the role successfully.
• Facilitate or obtain informed consent for participation in group or individual counseling, support intake process.
• Educate parents/caregivers/families about the purpose of the group or individual counseling.
• Facilitate communication between clinicians and parents and provide feedback to parents.
• Providing cultural context and guidance for co‑facilitator(s).
• Identify culturally accurate elements and strategies that can enhance the implementation of the TST‑R model.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, or other human services related degree and 1 year of experience in working with behavioral health population in a direct care capacity required or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Fluency in Swahili, and knowledge of the culture. Has experience working with refugee youth and families impacted by trauma.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Has ability to travel outside the office to various sites to attend meetings, visit families in their homes, or schools. Manages time effectively. Maintains flexible hours in order to meet the demands of the job. Upholds confidentiality. Possesses capacity to work as a member of a team and sees value in doing so. Have strong communication skills.

Certifications & Licenses

• Hold valid NYS driver’s license and access to reliable transportation with sufficient insurance.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non‑discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

Learn. Discover. Heal. Create.

Located in western New York, Rochester is our namesake and our home. One of the world’s leading research universities, Rochester has a long tradition of breaking boundaries—always pushing and questioning, learning and unlearning. We transform ideas into enterprises that create value and make the world ever better. If you’re looking for a career in higher education or health care, the University of Rochester may offer the perfect opportunity for your background and goals. At the University of Rochester, we are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture and are united by a strong commitment to be ever better—Meliora. It is an ideal that informs our shared mission to ensure all members of our community feel safe, respected, included, and valued.

Learn. Discover. Heal. Create.