Mental Health Clinician

Penn State University•University Park, IL

27d•$65,508 - $108,444

About The Position

Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics, a Division I and Big Ten Conference institution, is seeking a Mental Health Clinician for its Department of Integrated Behavioral Health. The position assesses, triages, and provides comprehensive clinical mental health services tailored to the unique, high-pressure environment of student-athletes. The clinician provides individual, group, and crisis counseling; conducts screenings and crisis interventions; develops immediate safety or treatment plans; and serves as the Integrated Behavioral Health contact for designated athletic teams. The role consults with coaches, athletic trainers, and staff while balancing communication with clinical confidentiality, coordinates care with sports medicine, psychiatric providers, and off-campus specialists, and manages referrals and follow-up. The clinician also develops and delivers mental health training, stress-management workshops, and wellness initiatives; maintains confidential clinical records in compliance with applicable laws; participates in an after-hours on-call rotation; and may assist with supervision or mentorship of interns and trainees. Depending on the classification, the position requires a master's degree and six or more years of relevant experience, a master's degree and eight or more years of relevant experience, or a Ph.D. or Psy.D. and three or more years of relevant experience, along with the applicable Pennsylvania professional license.

Requirements

Master's degree or higher in Counseling or a related discipline; specified classifications require a master's degree or a Ph.D./Psy.D.
Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Psychologist, or related discipline; alternatively, ability to obtain licensure within six months of hire.
For Mental Health Counselor - Senior Professional: master's degree, at least six years of relevant experience, and Pennsylvania licensure as an LPC or LCSW.
For Psychologist - Advanced Professional: Ph.D. or Psy.D., at least three years of relevant experience, and Pennsylvania licensure as a psychologist.
For Mental Health Counselor - Principal Professional: master's degree, at least eight years of relevant experience, and Pennsylvania licensure as an LPC or LCSW.
Strong clinical skills in assessment, mental health counseling, and crisis management.
Understanding of college athletics culture and the needs of the athlete population.
Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple team needs independently.
Understanding of professional boundaries and ethics.
Ability to problem-solve and handle sensitive information and nuanced situations.
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary, interdepartmental team.
Strong communication and rapport-building skills with students, coaches, and staff, including the ability to use high discretion.
Ability to work well with a diverse group of clients.
Required clearances: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

Nice To Haves

Experience, including internship experience, providing mental health counseling and performance-enhancement services to athletes, preferably in a university or college counseling center.
Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential or progress toward it.
Experience in specialty areas such as substance misuse and disordered eating.
Experience working in competitive athletic environments.

Responsibilities

Provide individual, group, and crisis counseling to student-athletes.
Conduct mental health screenings, manage crisis interventions, and develop immediate safety or treatment plans.
Serve as the Integrated Behavioral Health contact for designated athletic teams.
Consult with coaches, athletic trainers, and staff about student-athlete mental health, balancing communication with clinical confidentiality.
Coordinate care with sports medicine, psychiatric providers, and off-campus specialists, including referrals and follow-up.
Develop and deliver targeted mental health training, stress-management workshops, and wellness initiatives for teams and staff.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical records in compliance with university, state, and federal laws.
Participate in an after-hours on-call rotation.
Assist with the supervision or mentorship of interns and trainees as needed.