"Mental Health Clinician – Athletics Support"

Position Overview

Merrimack College is a selective, private college in a beautiful, residential setting — just minutes from Boston, Massachusetts.Position Overview:

The Counseling Center at Merrimack College seeks a Mental Health Clinician – Athletics Support position to join its team of counselors serving undergraduate and graduate students. Under the supervision of the Director, the Mental Health Clinician – Athletics Support is a full-time position providing clinical services to support the psychological well-being of students at the College. In addition, the Mental Health Clinician – Athletics position will provide clinical mental health and sport psychology services to support the entire spectrum of student athlete well-being. They will work closely with coaches, trainers and athletics administration to develop and implement the most up to date mental health procedures for student athletes. This includes annually providing mental health screening to the College’s student athletes, psychoeducational training to coaching staff, team workshops, and assisting in other outreach activities. This position is meant to be a liaison that builds and maintains a strong relationship with the College’s Athletic Department. This position assists in outreach, crisis response, and other duties as assigned. This is a full-time, 12-month position. The work schedule is Monday-Friday from 8:30 am -5:00 pm.

Responsibilities:

• Provide culturally aware and individual clinical services including intake assessment, crisis intervention, and individual counseling to students presenting with concerns related to psychological, academic, or athletic functioning. Provide group counseling/team workshops as needed and appropriate with level of experience.
• Maintain a strong collaborative relationship with the College’s Athletics Department in developing best practice mental health care for student athletes.
• Participate in staff peer consultation, staff meetings, and individual consultation with the Director regularly.
• Collaborate with Wellness Education and Athletics support staff including sports medicine, athletic training and compliance staff members in developing and providing team workshops on topics related to mental health, stress reduction, athlete identity, overall wellness, sport performance, leadership, injury etc.
• Serve as a member of the College’s CARE team by attending weekly CARE meetings and providing consultation support to act as liaison with College’s Athletics Department. Knowledge of and ability to maintain ethical practice of confidentiality in these environments required.
• Maintaining up to date knowledge of NCAA mental health best practices and promoting programs and interventions at the individual and organizational level that support mental health best practices.
• Provide routine risk assessments and referral for hospitalization or other specialized care (i.e. higher level of care, psychiatry services) as needed.
• Conduct training or other psychoeducational outreach to community members as requested and time permits. Provide annual training on mental health related topics to Athletics’ coaching staff and administrators. Some evening or after-hours work may be required.
• Provide consultation and/or education to families, college staff, or community providers regarding clinical care of students as appropriate. This is especially true with Student Affairs, Athletics, and Academic Success Center staff. Maintain ethical competency around confidentiality while consulting with collateral contacts.
• Provide supervision to our masters level graduate fellows and clinical interns as experience and licensure allows.
• Serve on relevant campus committees to provide perspective on current needs of our students.
• Maintain clinical documentation using electronic medical records software and client confidentiality in accordance with Massachusetts law and professional ethical principles.
• Participate in staff meetings and department meetings as needed.
• Regularly attend Athletic games and staff meetings as needed and able.
• Represent the Student Affairs division at college events and activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master’s or Doctorate in appropriate mental health field (psychology, social work, counseling, etc.)
• CMPC certification preferred
• Licensed or license-eligible in Massachusetts within 6 months of hire preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent skills in clinical assessment, psychotherapy, performance enhancement services with individuals and teams, crisis management, and consultation with coaches and administrators of sport programs.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to establish and maintain positive and collaborative working relationships with multiple campus constituencies.
• Comfort with risk assessment, referral for hospitalization or other specialty care.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Possess understanding of the unique mental health experiences of collegiate athletes.
• Excellent record keeping practices; knowledge and attunement to ethical and legal issues in clinical treatment within an institutional setting.

Experience:

• Experience in higher education desired.
• Experience in working with collegiate athletes desired
• Experience with late adolescents/young adults desired.
• Experience and interest in supervising interns is a plus.

License Requirements:

We welcome applicants who currently possess, or will soon obtain, one of the following credentials: LMHC, LICSW, LMFT, PsyD, or PhD.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Resume
• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission and our values.

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $77,000