A mental health specialist assists patients in coming to terms with their mental and emotional health.
Not everyone can perform this work. You have to have a certain type of personality, and training to do justice to it.
As a mental health specialist, you have to perform many duties, such as screening patients, providing both direct and indirect observation, coordinating and completing program eligibility, and handling family education.
A mental health specialist will have to painstakingly identify issues with patients so that proper treatment can be provided. Also, it will be his or her duty to help with patient rehabilitation.
Working as a mental health specialist can take its toll on you, which is why you have to be exceptionally strong.
See also: Mental Health Specialist Interview
Mental Health Specialist Job Description
• Engage patients in conversation in order to determine their personalities.
• Talk to parents and family members to obtain further information.
• Create and implement mental health plans in accordance with each patient’s requirements.
• Assist patients by developing goals and objectives.
• Conduct risk assessments.
• Perform duties such as safety planning, and follow-up.
• Act as a liaison between primary care and mental health clinics.
• Conduct assessments regarding addiction behavior and need for socialization.
• Develop treatment plans.
• Facilitate and lead patient groups, and individuals.
• Treat and manage patients according to set plans.
• Refer cases to social workers.
• Conduct individual and group therapy sessions.
• Assist in-house patients in adjusting to their environment.
• Assist clients in finding housing, and rehabilitation services suitable for them.
• Create and implement risk assessment plans in order to ensure patient safety.
• Perform cross-program collaboration to develop metrics such as needs identification and facilitation.
• Develop appropriate screening tools for each patient.
• Ensure the availability of mental health resources.
• Facilitate external referrals.
• Create and maintain files and records in an accurate, and confidential manner.
• Intervene in issues such as suicide attempts, in order to keep patients safe from harm.
• Monitor treatment progress, and make required changes.
• Ensure that mental health resources are available to support staff members.
• Provide training to mental health support staff.