Under the direction of, and in collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor of SMHW, the Associate Director, Student Wellness Programs will perform the following duties and responsibilities:
Administrative and Clinical
- Deliver short-term individual therapy; conduct needs-based assessments, including triage and clinical consultation; coordinate treatment with other professionals; and provide referrals to community-based providers, as appropriate.
- Supervise one or more direct reports, including LCSWs and/or counseling or social work interns, providing clinical supervision, performance feedback, mentorship, and support for professional development.
- Assist the AVC in the administrative oversight of the office's counseling services and wellness programs.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all new referrals, overseeing intake, assessment, and the timely assignment of cases to appropriate internal and/or community mental health providers.
- Provide clinical oversight of high-risk cases in accordance with clinical protocols, institutional policies, and best practices for student safety and continuity of care.
- Anticipate staffing needs and coordinate clinical coverage during vacations, leaves, and vacancies to ensure continuity of care and timely access to services consistent with student demand.
- Assess the utilization, effectiveness, and impact of campus mental health initiatives and wellness programs through quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods.
- Provide culturally responsive and affirming clinical services to students from diverse backgrounds and with intersecting identities.
- Maintain strict adherence to FERPA, HIPAA, ethical standards, and confidentiality requirements.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Mental Health & Wellness.
- Represent the Office of Student Mental Health & Wellness at interdisciplinary committees, workgroups, and meetings (approximately 6 to 8 per month).
- Collaborate effectively with Deans, Health Services, Academic Support and Disability Services, student leadership, and other campus partners to support student well-being and success.
- Participate in and deliver presentations at key student transition points, including orientation and transition to clerkship, and provide additional educational presentations as requested.
- Serve as a liaison and consultant to faculty, staff, administrators, Deans, and other members of the campus community regarding student mental health and wellness concerns.
Provision of Mental Health Services & Wellness Programming
- Deliver direct in-person student counseling/clinical services (virtual tele-visits, where appropriate) that primarily includes: short-term individual counseling or group counseling; clinical triage, crisis intervention, and debriefing; clinical assessment, case management, and collaboration with other mental health/medical providers; consultation and referrals to services both internal and external.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and appropriate clinical documentation in the electronic health record in accordance with applicable legal, ethical, and institutional standards.
- Serve as the primary coordinator for the Wellness Ambassador Program, including recruitment, onboarding, training, retention, program continuity, and quality assurance efforts to support program effectiveness and student engagement.
- Work directly with Wellness Ambassador students to provide coaching, mentorship, support, and guidance, fostering leadership development, student engagement, and program effectiveness.
- Independently conceptualize, develop, implement, and assess new wellness programs and initiatives in consultation with the Associate Vice Chancellor.
- Provide consultation to faculty, staff, and administrators regarding urgent or emerging student concerns, including crisis assessment, intervention, triage, and referral to emergency or higher levels of care, as appropriate. Availability for after-hours, weekend, and holiday consultation may be required, as needed.
- Be available to provide consultation and clinical triage for students experiencing urgent or emergent mental health concerns when needed, including crisis assessment, intervention, and referral to emergency or higher levels of care, as needed. Respond to student crises occurring after hours, on weekends, or during holidays when consultation or intervention is required.
Community Outreach and Education
- Assist with the development and provision of faculty/staff/student seminars, workshops, and training programs to help create a community culture of health and well-being, communicate the mission/vision of the Office, and normalize mental health challenges and wellness goals.
- Co-lead with the AVC the identification, engagement, and coordination of internal and external subject‑matter experts to deliver targeted, high‑quality training sessions for department staff.
- Raise awareness of the importance of mental health within the campus community, and promote the use of SMHW Counseling Services across the NYMC and TCDM community.
