Mental Health Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Mental Health Counselor will be responsible for planning and coordinating the clinical activities related to mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services. Mental Health Counselors are primarily responsible for the delivery of individual, group and family counseling services and completion of documentation required for the clinical record including but not limited to; development of the Individual Treatment/Service Plan (ITP/ISP), psychosocial assessment, daily notes, and monthly reviews. Counselors will attend interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, monitor treatment throughout the client’s care, and establish parameters for discharge planning. Counselors are responsible for crisis intervention and de-escalation of situations to ensure safety to all. This includes assessment of crisis situations to determine severity and making recommendations to peers to ensure consistency and appropriateness of staff responses to issues. Counselors will develop an approved curriculum as the basis for group and individual counseling. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Utilize counseling and psychotherapy to evaluate and treat emotional and mental problems and conditions, whether cognitive, behavioral, or affective.
• Conducting client screening and assessment and developing and implementing treatment plans based on the client’s individual strengths, needs abilities, and preferences.
• Maintaining a secure distance delivery system that ensures client informed consent, confidentiality, and safety.
• Following all laws, statues, regulations, and standards applicable to comparable on-site services when delivering distance-based services. 
• Assess need and make decisions regarding the delivery of the appropriate individual, group and family counseling.
• Conduct interviews and make assessments of potential clients to determine need and appropriateness for program participation and referrals.
• Analyze situations and take necessary actions to provide crisis intervention. Interpreting and implementing WestCare procedures regarding crisis intervention as appropriate.
• Provide direct counseling services to clients.
• Monitor and assess client behavior.
• Create Individual Treatment/Service Plans.
• Report any unusual incidents that should be brought to the attention of the Program Director, Regional Vice President, or regulatory agency.
• Participate in decision to refer clients for ancillary services, i.e., family support groups, continuing care groups, etc.
• Complete documentation required for clinical records and other reports as assigned.
• Attend all interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and establish parameters for discharge planning.
• Requires regular and consistent attendance to ensure continuity of counseling services to clients.
• Follow all WestCare policies and procedures.
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation.
• All other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Maintain the highest ethical and professional standard as to clients and employees.
• Ability to avoid all dual relationships with clients (any personal, financial, business, social or sexual relationship or other activity outside the context of the traditional therapist-patient relationship).
• Meet all state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines in provision of client services.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Compassion, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach towards individuals with substance use disorders.
• High level of initiative.
• Ability to lead and be part of the team.
• Must be able to pass a DCF Level II background check. 
• During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Two (2) years’ experience working in substance abuse, mental health, or related fields is highly desirable. 
• Master’s degree from an accredited university or college with a major in counseling, social work, psychology, nursing, rehabilitation, special education, health education, or related human serviced field is required.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

• Minimum of LCSW or LMHC Registered Intern required. 
• Fully licensed LCSW or LMHC in good standing by an agency approved and recognized by the state of Florida preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Indoor and outdoor settings.
• Group and/or individual counseling sessions.
• Direct contact with clients of all ages and levels of functioning.
• Fast paced environment.
• Potential for high noise level at times.
• A minimum of 40 hours per week are expected but significantly more hours will be required from time to time. Completion of job duties may require working before and after normal working hours. Regular attendance is required. Being able to work as many hours as is necessary to complete job tasks is a required and essential duty of this position. 

WestCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment at WestCare is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment drug test, pre-employment physical and criminal background check.