Behavioral Counselor

Job Title

Provides services to patients/clients and/or family/caregivers who have impairments and adjustment difficulties (cognitive, behavioral, emotional) related to functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease or other causes. Acts to enhance emotional wellbeing; provides prevention education; promotes health, wellness and psychosocial reintegration; contributes to prevent/minimize disability. This provider enhances communication among the outpatient care team to assure appropriate and timely utilization and access to services and exchange of information, therapeutic interventions and advocates for the rights and needs of patients.

Essential Functions

Provides assessment and consultation services

• Assesses psychosocial needs of patients and families/caregivers as referred or assigned, in collaboration with neuropsychologist and treatment team.
• Conducts thorough reviews of medical records and other referring documentation.
• Obtains accessory information from family members, clinical staff and other relevant sources of information.
• Interviews and observes client, obtaining additional information regarding cognitive, behavioral and emotional functioning.
• Coordinates efforts with other treating professionals and agencies.
• Participates in professional collaborations and/or interdisciplinary treatment teams to maximize client progress.
• Acts to assure availability of help for crisis management and resolution.
• Refers clients to other specialists, institutions, support services and community resources as necessary.
• Establishes rapport with community agencies and support groups to enhance client access.

Assists in development of treatment and behavior plans

• Assists in formulating and administering plans and programs of treatment, including behavior plans as needed.
• Develops therapeutic intervention plan according to patient needs by exploring options, setting goals, establishing rapport with patient and significant others.
• Implements appropriate plan of care that may include direct counseling interventions, recommendations for care by other treatment team members or other professionals, and behavior plans designed to increase patient's adaptive behavior and optimal functioning.
• Monitors progress and reviews and adapts treatment efforts in conjunction with patient, team and relevant significant others.

Establishes and maintains compassionate environment

• Interacts with patients and families to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment.
• Acts as a resource to the Outpatient Service line and organization as needed for team and family interventions, meetings, and with behavioral clinical issues.
• Counsels families of diverse backgrounds on issues centered on managing their current situation and life planning.
• Promotes high-quality customer service via courteous greeting, answering questions within scope of practice, referring to other members of treatment team as needed.
• Provides regular updates to treatment team via documentation and team meetings, as well as ad hoc communication as needed.
• Maintains patient and organizational confidentiality standards, in accordance with Good Shepherd policy and ethics code, professional ethics code, and HIPAA standards.
• Bridges communication between team members, ancillary departments, insurers and significant others.
• Leads outpatient interdisciplinary team meetings.

Maintains professional knowledge

• Maintains current knowledge of practice (including current licensure as a clinical social worker) in areas of professional activity by completing professional education activities, keeping current with professional publications, and collaborating with relevant professionals.
• Establishes and sustains professional contacts and networks to support expertise and contacts in the professional community.
• Maintains technical knowledge as needed to accurately and effectively utilize Good Shepherd's electronic communication and health record systems.
• Follows appropriate Good Shepherd and other relevant policies, rules, regulations, and legal requirements as well as adhering to ethical principles of licensed profession.

Documentation

• Accurately documents activities of evaluation, assessment and treatment.
• Makes appropriate and timely notations in the medical record, departmental files, hand-off communication documents, electronic documentation systems and databases.
• Documentation meets clinical policy and procedure guidelines.

Contributes to team effort

• Functions as part of the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team within programmatic areas of responsibility.
• Demonstrates flexibility in helping to provide necessary clinical coverage for client base and clinical programs.
• Assists with development and growth of students and clinical colleagues within Psychology Group, Outpatient Services, and across institution.
• Addresses patient safety by identifying and communicating patient safety issues to the team, patient/family.
• Assists to resolve care issues by making referrals to address identified needs.
• Reports to regulatory agencies as required, facilitating appropriate utilization of services.
• Provides education to others, contributing from own areas of professional expertise.
• Promotes positive work environment.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education
• Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or School Counseling required
• Work Experience
• 3-5 years of experience in counseling children and/or adults/ families in a medical, school, or behavioral health setting required
• Licenses / Certifications
• Licensed to practice in State of Pennsylvania as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).