Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of Behavioral Health Services, LPC, as a part of the primary care team, is responsible for providing standardized counseling for BJHCHS’ patients with mild to moderate mental health conditions and/or substance abuse who are referred by BJHCHS’ providers.  The LPC will work to address other social needs of patients and will utilize area referral sources for needed specialty care, hospitalization, or advanced psychiatric assessments and treatments.  The LPC works under the direct supervision of the Director, Behavioral Health Services, who provides general instruction.  Work is assigned in terms of functional/organization objectives.  The Director, Behavioral Health Services will provide guidance in unusual situations which do not have clear precedents and on an as-needed basis.  The employee works independently, resolves problems on the basis of past precedent; exercises judgment in interpreting guidelines and applicability; and ensures deadlines are met.  The employee plans and carries out various stages of a project by selecting and pursuing approved techniques as appropriate.  Assignments are reviewed for quality and compliance with established policies and procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Receives referrals from BJHCHS’ providers
• Assesses the mental and behavioral health status of referred patients
• Provides counseling to scheduled patients utilizing professional counseling standards
• Formulates differential diagnosis of mild to moderate mental health conditions and/or substance abuse
• Formulates short-term and long-term counseling plans for patients under care
• Consults with medical director and other providers regarding complex patients and regarding prescription medication prescribed by providers
• Identifies patients with urgent mental health conditions (e.g. suicidal, homicidal, psychotic, etc.) and make appropriate referrals to available emergency or psychiatric treatment facilities
• Provides written document of counseling sessions, assessments, interventions, and recommendation for BJHCHS’ providers and to meet requirements for medical records documentation
• Provides non-scheduled urgent assessment of patients with medical clinic appointments
• Provides group and family therapy session as indicated
• Assists CMO in developing protocols for BJHCHS’ counseling services and criteria for outside referrals for advanced/emergency psychiatric care.
• Prepares monthly productivity reports
• Prepares reports for quality improvement
• Provides in-service training on relevant topics for co-workers as requested
• Participates in a team management approach to patient care/treatment
• Maintains quality care through participation in peer review, policy development and quality improvement programs.
• Maintains appropriate documentation of clinical and counseling services, including all necessary billing information.
• Maintains and updates professional knowledge and proficiency through continuing education, staff meetings, workshops and serving on special committees
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Travels to various BJHCHS, Inc. medical center locations as needed and directed by the Supervisor.

 Required Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in psychology, clinical mental health, or counselor education
• Current SC license as an LPC-A
• A minimum of 2 years clinical experience providing direct services to adults, children, adolescents and families and counseling experience
• Current knowledge of evidence-based models for mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Ability to deliver validated evidence-based therapy services to patients
• Ability to develop treatment plans and document patient contact and progress   
• Possesses a valid South Carolina driver’s license and clean driving