Intake Counselor

MHA promotes mental health and total wellness for individuals facing challenges associated with mental illness and addiction recovery. We increase community awareness while enhancing mental well-being through advocacy, education, prevention, treatment, and services.

Qualifications:

• A Master’s Degree in the field of social work, psychology, counseling or a related field plus two years of experience.
• A Valid New Jersey driver’s license.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate intake services with the Program Director and Program Coordinator.
• Manage referral calls, hospital discharges, and coordinate therapy intake and psychiatric evaluation schedule based on clinical need.
• Conduct walk-in intake/interviews for assessment for services and level of care.
• Assist with requesting clinical records.
• Assist with community outreach to develop new referral sources and community education.
• Assist with verifying and monitoring consumer health insurance and eligibility.
• Orient and engage new consumers in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
• Provide case management and ongoing linkage to community supports and clinical/mental health and substance use services, as well as, skill-building service.
• Maintain a small caseload.
• Promote the integration of physical and mental health.
• Assist individuals with utilizing all available community supports that best meet their needs.
• Complete all required documentation in clinical files and in EMR in a timely basis as per policies and applicable regulations.
• Attend supervision meetings, treatment team meetings and agency staff meetings.
• Attend meetings with program partners and community providers to reach program objectives, as assigned by Director.
• Must meet all expected productivity levels, in regards to direct service.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Director/Coordinator.

• Ability to assess general clinical status and assess for safety, as well as, interpret clinical charts when available.
• Ability to identify clinical crisis that may require emergency intervention.
• Ability to complete a bio-psychosocial interview.
• Ability to engage with individuals and provide supportive listening to those in psychiatric crisis.
• Ability to network with a variety of both formal and informal community resources and supports.
• Ability to educate individuals regarding severe and persistent mental illness, psychiatric symptoms and other functional impairments.
• Ability to discuss substance abuse/dependence issues, as well as, educate individuals on these issues.
• Ability to assist individuals in creating a safety plan, when clinically appropriate.
• Ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing.

Reports to:  Program Director

Fully paid medical coverage for eligible staff.
Generous 401(k) match.
Plentiful Paid Holidays, Vacation, Personal and Sick time.

MHAEM is a proud equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to attracting, retaining, and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is MHAEM’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

EEO/AA M/F/M/V/D