Mental Health Counselor/ Social Worker Research Associate

The Mental Health Counselor/ Social Worker Research Associate within the School of Public Health will report directly to the Principal Investigator within the Hassenfeld Institute. This position will work on the school screening project, Mood Check, traveling to schools in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to conduct educational sessions with students, conduct follow-up assessments with adolescents who report symptoms of depression, and connect with caregivers and school personnel to provide feedback regarding adolescents’ depression risk. The Mood Check clinicians do not offer counseling services beyond the interaction during the screening. This position is a part-time job working up to 15 hours per week. The incumbent will conduct research screening and clinical assessments, follow-up interviews, and motivational interviews in English and Spanish with study participants and with their parents/guardians in English and Spanish. This position will work primarily on a district- and foundation-funded school screening program. This position is responsible for supporting student populations within school districts that are primarily Spanish-speaking. The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate engagement with students, families, and school personnel to meet the program's research and clinical objectives. The Mental Health Counselor/ Social Worker Research Associate will be required to be licensed in Rhode Island (with a willingness to apply for Mass. licensure upon request). This individual will work closely with members of the research and program teams to address clinical needs of study participants, and to comply with research protocols, and will adhere to study and program timelines and deliverables. In addition, this individual may provide periodic evening clinical coverage for the study team. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker Research Associate, the position serves as a School-Based Mental Health Screener within our university's research center, and will play a critical role in promoting mental wellness among school-aged children. The position’s expertise in mental health counseling and social work will be utilized to conduct comprehensive screenings and assessments in school or research settings, contributing valuable data to research initiatives aimed at understanding and addressing mental health challenges in youth populations. This role offers a unique opportunity to integrate clinical practice with research, making a meaningful impact on the mental health and well-being of students while contributing to advancements in the field of youth mental health.

Responsibilities

Work on the school screening project, Mood Check, traveling to schools in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to conduct educational sessions with students; Conduct follow-up assessments with adolescents who report symptoms of depression; Connect with caregivers and school personnel to provide feedback regarding adolescents’ depression risk; Conduct research screening and clinical assessments, follow-up interviews, and motivational interviews in English and Spanish with study participants and their parents/guardians; Support student populations within school districts that are primarily Spanish-speaking; Ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate engagement with students, families, and school personnel to meet the program's research and clinical objectives; Work closely with members of the research and program teams to address clinical needs of study participants and comply with research protocols; Provide periodic evening clinical coverage for the study team; Serve as a School-Based Mental Health Screener within the university's research center; Conduct comprehensive screenings and assessments in school or research settings; During non-school months, focus on research studies without travel

Requirements

Master's degree required in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field, with 2-5 years of clinical experience; Current independent licensure as a mental health counselor (LMHC) and/or clinical social worker (LCSW); Experience working with children and adolescents in school or clinical settings; Licensed in Rhode Island (with a willingness to apply for Mass. licensure upon request); Demonstrated ability to engage professionally with students and families in Spanish-speaking educational environments; Competency in documenting clinical observations and assessment findings in English based on interviews conducted in Spanish; Demonstrated skill in conducting outreach and follow-up calls in Spanish to engage families in the screening and referral process; Ability to serve as a linguistic bridge between the research team and Spanish-speaking community stakeholders to facilitate project goals and participant retention; Strong communication skills, in both written and verbal formats, including under short deadlines; Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain relationships with a diverse range of partnerships; Excellent technical clinical skills; All clinical interviews and documentation are conducted in REDCap; Must be able to accurately write and report analyses and review summaries; Must be observant and self-motivated, able to think critically and problem solve; Highly developed time management skills; Must possess a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle for travel to off-site locations; Ability to travel independently up to 4 days per week to regional sites within 1.25 hours of Providence