Become A Mental Health Practitioner

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Working As A Mental Health Practitioner

Assisting and Caring for Others
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Documenting/Recording Information
Getting Information

Deal with People
Unpleasant/Angry People
Mostly Sitting
Stressful
$39,016
Average Salary

What Does A Mental Health Practitioner Do At Volunteers of America-Minnesota

* Provide direct services that include in-home parenting education with emphasis on skill-building, coaching/modeling of basic parenting techniques such as age appropriate expectations, appropriate discipline techniques to avoid or prevent using physical discipline,
* therapeutic parent-child interaction, and establishing family structure
* Guided and directed parent-child interaction sessions with parent and child observations
* Tailored interventions based on best practice and emerging practices in child development and family systems practice
* Execute accurate and timely documentation of services provided that are consistent with internal and external documentation standards, including but not limited to intake and closing assessment tools, monthly written progress reports
* Collaborate with other involved service providers including weekly ‘check ins’ with Hennepin County Social Workers to coordinate quality care
* Provide culturally appropriate and respectful services that reflect the individual needs of the family
* Some late afternoon and evening hours are required

What Does A Mental Health Practitioner Do At State of Minnesota

* Assess the needs of newly admitted clients and assist with identifying their goals in order to develop an individualized treatment plan designed to correct negative behaviors.
* Guide program staff in the implementation of treatment plans and personal interactions with residents to develop and reinforce adaptive behaviors.
* Conduct skill development activities to help individuals improve skills needed for discharge, such as cooking, personal hygiene, budgeting, and household organization.
* Assist with provisions of reintegration and placement into the community to promote consumers' independence, autonomy, personal responsibility, and personal control.
* Participate as a team member to coordinate and collaborate consistently with established team operations.
* Serve as lead worker to ensure delivery of the medication program and other services during a designated shift.
* Provide transportation to clients to achieve the goals of the individual service plan, including proper utilization of a state vehicle

What Does A Mental Health Practitioner Do At Mnscu

* Teach across graduate nursing programs.such areas as psychiatric-mental health, advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, advanced health promotion, evidence-based practice and research, epidemiology, ethics, evidence-based practice, health behavior change, information science, nursing theory, organization and systems leadership, psychiatric-mental health, and other areas as needed to meet the requirements of this CCNE accredited program.
* Instruct courses in varied locations, at varied times, and via various media commensurate with department and university needs.
* Engage in scholarly research or creative achievement to enhance knowledge of field.
* Provide evidence of continuing preparation and study in the field to enhance teaching abilities.
* Contribute to student growth and development including graduate student advising.
* Support Winona State University's mission to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic vitality of the people and communities we serve.
* Provide service to the university and community including the program, department, college, university and greater community.
* Assist with programmatic accreditation
* Work effectively with health care industry and clinical affiliates
* Advise graduate students
* Chair and serve on students' master’s thesis, scholarly inquiry paper, and DNP Project Committees.
* Maintain an active program of scholarship
* Communicate effectively and actively participate in a CCNE accredited department of nursing with undergraduate and graduate programs.
* Contribute to non-teaching activities (e.g. governance, committees, university service) and to community service utilizing professional nursing expertise

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How To Become A Mental Health Practitioner

Although most social workers need a bachelor’s degree in social work, clinical social workers must have a master’s degree and 2 years of post-master’s experience in a supervised clinical setting. Clinical social workers must also be licensed in the state in which they practice.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) is the most common requirement for entry-level positions. However, some employers may hire workers who have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as psychology or sociology.

A BSW prepares students for direct-service positions such as caseworker or mental health assistant. These programs teach students about diverse populations, human behavior, social welfare policy, and ethics in social work. All programs require students to complete supervised fieldwork or an internship.

Some positions require a master’s degree in social work (MSW), which generally takes 2 years to complete. Master’s degree programs in social work prepare students for work in their chosen specialty by developing clinical assessment and management skills. All programs require students to complete a supervised practicum or an internship.

A bachelor’s degree in social work is not required in order to enter a master’s degree program in social work. Although a degree in almost any major is acceptable, courses in psychology, sociology, economics, and political science are recommended. Some programs allow graduates with a bachelor’s degree in social work to earn their master’s degree in 1 year.

In 2015, there were more than 500 bachelor’s degree programs and more than 200 master’s degree programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Some universities offer doctoral programs in social work, where students can earn a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) or a Ph.D. Most doctoral programs in social work require students to have a master’s in social work and experience in the field. Many doctor’s students go on to work as postsecondary teachers.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Most states have licensure or certification requirements for nonclinical social workers. Requirements vary by state.

All states require clinical social workers to be licensed. However, some states provide exemptions for clinical social workers who work in government agencies. Becoming a licensed clinical social worker requires a master’s degree in social work and a minimum of 2 years of supervised clinical experience after graduation. After completing their supervised experience, clinical social workers must pass a clinical exam to be licensed.

Because licensing requirements vary by state, those interested should contact their state board. For more information about regulatory licensure boards by state, contact the Association of Social Work Boards.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Clients talk to social workers about challenges in their lives. To effectively help, social workers must be able to listen to and understand their clients’ needs.

Empathy. Social workers often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations. To develop strong relationships, they must have compassion and empathy for their clients.

Interpersonal skills. Being able to work with different groups of people is essential for social workers. They need strong people skills to foster healthy and productive relationships with their clients and colleagues.

Organizational skills. Social workers must help and manage multiple clients, often assisting with their paperwork or documenting their treatment.

Problem-solving skills. Social workers need to develop practical and innovative solutions to their clients’ problems.

Time-management skills. Social workers often have many clients and administrative responsibilities. They must effectively manage their time to provide adequate service to all of their clients.

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Mental Health Practitioner jobs

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Mental Health Practitioner Career Paths

Mental Health Practitioner

Program Director

Supervisor

Outpatient Physical Therapist

Clinical Care Manager

8 Yearsyrs

Clinical Supervisor

Clinical Case Manager

Therapist

Therapist

Director Of Social Work

7 Yearsyrs

Outpatient Physical Therapist

Emergency Services Director

8 Yearsyrs

Mental Health Therapist

Lead Therapist

5 Yearsyrs

Mental Health Case Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Mental Health Specialist

Senior Case Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Clinician

Social Work Case Manager

6 Yearsyrs

Social Work Supervisor

7 Yearsyrs

Mental Health Therapist

Therapist And Program Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Mental Health Therapist 3.0 years
Mental Health Counselor 2.7 years
Mental Health Clinician 2.7 years
Mental Health Worker 2.7 years
Mental Health Case Manager 2.6 years
Mental Health Specialist 2.5 years
Mental Health Professional 2.3 years
Behavioral Health Professional 2.1 years
Mental Health Practitioner 2.0 years

Top Careers Before Mental Health Practitioner

Top Careers After Mental Health Practitioner

Mental Health Practitioner Demographics

Gender

Female
74.3%
Male
24.1%
Unknown
1.5%

Ethnicity

White
84.2%
Asian
6.8%
Hispanic or Latino
6.1%
Unknown
2.1%
Black or African American
0.7%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
52.4%
Hmong
9.5%
Somali
7.1%
Japanese
7.1%
French
4.8%
Russian
4.8%
Danish
2.4%
Greek
2.4%
German
2.4%
Tagalog
2.4%
Arabic
2.4%
Italian
2.4%

Mental Health Practitioner

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Mental Health Practitioner Education

Schools

Saint Cloud State University
12.1%
Minnesota State University - Mankato
8.7%
Winona State University
8.2%
Saint Mary's University
7.2%
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
6.4%
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
6.4%
Saint Catherine University
5.6%
Walden University
5.1%
Argosy University-Twin Cities
4.6%
Capella University
4.6%
University of Minnesota - Duluth
4.1%
Adler Graduate School
3.8%
Metropolitan State University
3.6%
Bemidji State University
3.3%
University of North Dakota
3.1%
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
3.1%
Augsburg College
2.8%
Liberty University
2.6%
College of Saint Scholastica
2.3%
Bethel University (Minnesota)
2.3%

Majors

Degrees

Masters
51.8%
Bachelors
25.5%
Other
9.9%
Doctorate
5.0%
Associate
3.7%
Certificate
3.3%
Diploma
0.5%
License
0.2%

Mental Health Practitioner

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

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Full Time

Part Time

Internship

Temporary

Real Mental Health Practitioner Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Mental Health Clinical Practitioner	Heartland Alliance	Chicago, IL	Apr 07, 2014	$45,552
Regstered Mental Health Practitioner Counselor	Florida Community Alliance, Inc.	West Palm Beach, FL	Apr 29, 2016	$42,000
Mental Health Practitioner	Family Support Services, Inc.	New Brighton, MN	Sep 12, 2015	$40,697
Mental Health Practitioner	Family Support Services Inc.	New Brighton, MN	Sep 13, 2014	$40,008
Mental Health Practitioner	Spence Counseling Center, PC	Omaha, NE	Jul 01, 2012	$39,131
Mental Health Practitioner	Family Support Services Inc.	New Brighton, MN	Sep 17, 2014	$39,048
Mental Health Practitioner	Family Support Services Inc.	New Brighton, MN	Oct 01, 2012	$39,048
Mental Health Clinical Practitioner	Heartland Alliance	Chicago, IL	Apr 07, 2011	$39,031
Licensed Behavioral Mental Health Practitioner	YCO Clinton, Inc. DBA Youthcare of Oklahoma	Tulsa, OK	Jan 01, 2010	$39,000
Mental Health Clinical Practitioner	Heartland Alliance	Chicago, IL	Nov 10, 2009	$37,728
Mental Health Clinical Practitioner	Heartland International Health Center	Chicago, IL	Sep 15, 2012	$37,624
Mental Health Clinical Practitioner	Heartland International Health Center	Chicago, IL	Oct 01, 2012	$37,624
Mental Health Practitioner	Family Support Services, Inc.	Duluth, MN	Sep 22, 2010	$36,566
Mental Health Practitioner	Family Support Services, Inc.	Duluth, MN	Sep 23, 2010	$36,566
Mental Health Practitioner	Family Support Services, Inc.	Duluth, MN	Oct 01, 2010	$36,566

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Top Skills for A Mental Health Practitioner

Top Mental Health Practitioner Skills

Individual Treatment Plans
Mental Health Services
Crisis Intervention Services

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Developed and monitored implementation of Individual Treatment Plans.
Worked with residential and outpatient clients in medical and mental health services, and diverse populations of local and international communities.
Coordinated, developed, facilitated and participated in the provision of the full range of crisis intervention services for assigned caseload.
Monitor behavior of residents diagnosed with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness to assure client safety and well being.
Created treatment plans, functional assessments, and reports provided to social services and releases of information.