| WCSI Position Title: | SAP Liaison (Bachelor Level) |
| Position Classification: | Caseworker 3 |
| MCR Code: | P3002 |
| Department: | Behavioral Health |
| Position Status: | Full-Time/Regular/Non-Exempt |
| Prepared Date: | 04/21/2023 |
Summary
This is a Full-Time/10 month/Non-Exempt position that is
responsible for performing Student Assistance Program (SAP) duties by
consulting and educating school personnel, student, and parents in their area
of expertise – behavioral health, substance abuse, and barriers to
learning. The SAP Liaison will be
responsible for initial assessment/screening of students who may have a variety
of academic, behavioral, and or personal difficulties which interfere with
their daily functioning.
Primary work hours will be Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30
pm with a 1/2-hour lunch (37.5 hrs./week) unless otherwise agreed upon. SAP services are provided to
children/adolescents and their families in an education setting and/or in the
community when applicable. The SAP Liaison is an integral part of a team which
identifies students at risk, assesses their needs and removes barriers to the
learning process.
Compliance:
As with all WCSI
positions, it is the expectation that employees adhere to WCSI, County, State
and Federal guidelines, regulation, policies and laws which govern the business
and service of WCSI as well as regulations governing the Behavioral Health
program.
This position requires
the employee to perform their daily job duties and responsibilities in a
structured work environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Include the following, (other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary by management):
: Student Assistance Liaison Duties:
This position will identify, address, and link student at
risk for substance use and/or have mental health needs through coordination
with school core teams. The SAP liaisons
shall provide consultation to SAP school core teams and provide information
about resources and services available in the family’s community. The SAP Liaison shall be available to their
assigned school district each school day to provide services to school teams
and/or parents:
o
Consultation Services-For
general inquires about mental health community services and resources and to
their assigned SAP core team for student specific SAP referrals.
o
Clinical Assessment/Screening
Services-with student and/or parent/guardian consent, complete the SAP clinical
assessment with the student and at least on parent/family member/guardian.
o
Provide the student/family and SAP
core team with the recommendations following the clinical assessment.
o
Refer and link the student to the
recommended services from the clinical assessment/screening.
o
Follow the student/family until the
recommended services have started.
o
Provide Emergency Behavioral Health services
to schools/communities experiencing a mental health school wide and/or
community event involving a student, family, and/or school faculty.
o
Work with the county crisis team
responders as necessary for student specific mental health crisis events and
assist in the completion of a petition for involuntary commitment.
This position assesses and offers access to the base service
unit and is responsible for the coordination and/or facilitation of the
following: completing an intake which includes assessment and linkage to
services including the behavioral health and psychosocial needs of client. Secures information such as medical, psychological,
and social factors contributing to client’s situation and evaluates these and
client’s capacities. Determine and/or
explain client’s eligibility for financial
assistance and the level of case management. Coordination of a positive and cooperative
working relationship with the families of children/adolescents being served,
the County Behavioral Health
Office, entities within the educational setting, community
providers, and applicable case management staff. Other liaison duties include case monitoring,
linkage and engagement with families.
Liaisons will complete all required paperwork and necessary
documentation in compliance with SAP, agency, county, state, and federal
regulations.
Case Management and Service Coordination:
Unique to Westmoreland County, students and their family members who consent to
the SAP clinical assessment will be given the opportunity to continue with the
enrollment process to the base service unit.
This process may result in the assignment of case management services to
the student and/or adult family members who are present during the clinical
assessment and who requested to have an intake completed; these services are
not required under the state SAP model and are voluntary. A case manager will be assigned to the
student and/or family upon completion of the assessment.
Crisis Intervention:
The SAP Liaison will act as a consultant to school officials
by providing options/resources to students deemed to be at risk or in crisis
while in an educational setting. This
position will be an active member of the EBH team as outlined in the attached
addendum. Provide guidance regarding involuntary and voluntary hospitalizations
including completion of all required legal documentation with county behavioral
health office and emergency services.
Professional Responsibilities:
Extensive knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques related to services
provided. Ability to establish/maintain
effective working relationship with clients, associates, and agency
personnel. Must maintain knowledge of
community resources and have ability to facilitate coordination
activities. Able to work independently,
be flexible, and adjust work hours based on program and client needs. Display a professional standard of effective
teamwork.
Supervisor Responsibility
N/A
Qualifications
:
Education and/or Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in psychology,
counseling or related field. Two years of Behavioral Health experience preferred. Previous experience working with
children/adolescents and families in an educational setting is preferred.
Language Skills:
Effectively communicate and problem
solve with all individuals involved in SAP; strong interpersonal skills,
effective oral and written communication skills required.
Certificates,
Registrations, Licenses:
Valid
PA Driver’s License, Proof of Valid Auto Insurance, Act 34 (Criminal Record),
and Act 33 (Child Abuse) and FBI Clearance. There will be monthly screenings of
PA Medicheck List, LEIE (List of Excluded Individuals/Entities) and SAM (System
for Award Management).
Other:
This
position requires the availability and utilization of the employee’s personal
vehicle, for purposes of transportation to and from work appointments. Transportation of clients in personal
vehicles is not permitted, as agency vehicles are available for this purpose.
As
a requirement of employment, certain personal information (Birth Date, Driver’s
License, Diplomas, Transcripts, etc.) can be shared in a confidential
communication as related to regulations, licensure and/or insurance carrier
contracts.
As
with all WCSI positions, this position will adhere to all random drug screening
requirements, as set forth by WCSI Policy.
ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL
and MENTAL CONDITIONS
Physical/Mental Demands:
While performing the
duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to operate a motor
vehicle, sit, stand, walk, bend and lift objects of up to 10 pounds. The employee regularly uses a computer,
phone, fax, copier and other essential office equipment to carry out daily work
assignments. The employee will be
required to operate a motor vehicle.
Substantial problem solving in response to urgent/emergency
situations which may require immediate action is an expectation.
Work Environment:
The service of this job is school based.
While performing the duties of this job the employee may be exposed to a
combination of office and outside/travel environments both inside and outside
the boundaries of Westmoreland County.
This position may be asked to provide linkage, monitoring, access to services;
informal support network building for clients being served in a client driven
fashion where and when it is needed. This position will be required to conform to
WCSI’s policies, as well as the applicable cultural environment of the school
setting assigned (included but not limited to professional dress and
professional conduct).
Reasonable Accommodation:
It is WCSI’s business philosophy and practice to provide
reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to
all qualified individuals with disabilities.
This position description is not an employment agreement or contract, but rather a description of the expectations of job duties and responsibilities as assigned to this position. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this position description and the position classification, at any time without prior notice.
