Camp Mental Health Specialist
Volunteer Position Available: Camp Mental Health Specialist
In addition to the qualifications we seek in all volunteers, as outlined on the Volunteer & Support Camp Oasis page, the Camp Mental Health Specialist role has its own set of parameters:
General Responsibility
Provide social and psychological support to campers and to train staff in accordance with the camp mission, guiding principles and medical manual.
Specific Responsibilities
- Assist with staff orientation, providing insight on various scenarios that typically arise at camp and how to handle them
- Provide on-going support to campers and staff regarding behavioral/emotional issues
- Assist with decisions on emotional/behavioral issues related to campers and staff
- Assist in evaluating the entire camp operation with suggestions for the following season
- As needed, speak with campers' parents
- Perform other duties as designated by the Medical Director & Camp Director
Essential Functions
- Ability to assist in staff training
- Ability to observe staff and camper behavior
- Ability to respond to situations that arise with campers (e.g. mental health issues, social conflicts, noncompliance, homesickness, anxiety regarding medical exams at camp)
- Ability to work directly with campers
- Ability to guide staff through the best way for staff to intervene/respond
Specific Qualifications
- A valid license to practice psychiatry, psychology, or social work, or certification to work as a child life specialist, in the state in which camp is located
- Experience with pediatric patients
- Desire and ability to work with children and adults with IBD in a camp setting
- Preferred: Experience with pediatric GI patient