Mental Health Counselor/ Social Worker Research Associate

Brown University•East Brooklyn, CT

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker Research Associate works within Brown University’s School of Public Health and Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute, reporting directly to the Principal Investigator. The role serves as a School-Based Mental Health Screener in a university research center, supporting the Mood Check school-screening program and other research studies. It combines clinical practice and research and contributes to initiatives focused on understanding and addressing mental health challenges among youth. During the academic year (October–May), the position travels to schools in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to conduct student educational sessions and research screenings, follow-up assessments, interviews, and motivational interviews. The incumbent follows up with adolescents reporting depression symptoms and communicates with caregivers and school personnel about depression risk and referrals. Mood Check clinicians do not provide counseling beyond the screening interaction. The role requires culturally and linguistically appropriate engagement with students, families, and school personnel, particularly in primarily Spanish-speaking school districts. Interviews and follow-up with participants and their parents or guardians are conducted in English and Spanish, while clinical observations and assessment findings from Spanish interviews are documented in English. During the summer (June–September), the incumbent focuses on research studies that do not involve travel. The position works closely with research and program teams to address participants’ clinical needs, follow research protocols, and meet study timelines and deliverables. Periodic evening clinical coverage may be required. The role is hybrid and requires independent travel to regional sites within 1.25 hours of Providence, potentially as frequently as four days per week, as well as evening phone calls during school-based work. The position is fixed-term, currently ending March 31, 2027, and may be extended depending on available funding. Employment offers are contingent on satisfactory criminal background and education verification.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
Two to five years of clinical experience.
Current independent licensure as a mental health counselor (LMHC) and/or clinical social worker (LCSW) in Rhode Island; willingness to apply for Massachusetts licensure upon request.
Experience working with children and adolescents in school or clinical settings.
Ability to engage professionally with students and families in Spanish-speaking educational environments.
Ability to document clinical observations and assessment findings in English based on interviews conducted in Spanish.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate under short deadlines.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain relationships with diverse partners.
Excellent technical clinical skills and ability to use REDCap for interviews and documentation.
Ability to accurately write and report analyses and review summaries.
Observant, self-motivated, able to think critically and solve problems, with highly developed time-management skills.
Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle for travel to off-site locations.
Ability to travel independently to regional sites within 1.25 hours of Providence, as frequently as four days per week.

Responsibilities

Conduct educational sessions and mental health screenings with students at schools participating in the Mood Check program.
Conduct clinical assessments, follow-up assessments and interviews, and motivational interviews with adolescents and their parents or guardians in English and Spanish.
Follow up with adolescents who report symptoms of depression and connect with caregivers and school personnel to provide feedback regarding adolescents’ depression risk and the referral process.
Conduct outreach and follow-up calls in Spanish to engage families in screening and referral.
Document clinical observations and assessment findings in English based on interviews conducted in Spanish, using REDCap for clinical interviews and documentation.
Support student populations in school districts that are primarily Spanish-speaking, serving as a linguistic bridge between the research team and Spanish-speaking community stakeholders.
Work with research and program teams to address clinical needs of study participants and comply with research protocols, timelines, and deliverables.
Focus on research studies without travel during the summer period from June through September.
Provide periodic evening clinical coverage for the study team as needed.
Travel independently to regional school and research sites, potentially up to four days per week within 1.25 hours of Providence.