Mental Health Counselor

The Mental Health Counselor, professionally applies clinical counseling methods and theory to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of psychosocial dysfunction, impairment, or disability, including mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders for families, individuals, and groups. As a Mental Health professional s/he will provide diagnostic assessments, evaluations, interventions, referrals, and counseling in both individual and group settings with a goal to establish and maintain recovery. Services occur within the context of a multidisciplinary treatment team approach.

The schedule would be Monday through Friday, hours TBD.

Essential Job Functions

· Performs initial and ongoing assessments of clients' needs, motivations, and backgrounds; prepares bio-psychosocial/assessment summaries in order to determine appropriate level of care and may support other staff in their analyses.

· Provides official regulatory services for agency by reviewing and signing client treatment plans as needed.

· Provides individual, family and group counseling, therapeutic intervention, and/or mental health education classes to clients to assist them in recognizing problems and causal factors related to mental health and developing alternative/symptom management behaviors.

· Develops, revises, and implements treatment plans that are individualized and culturally sensitive collaborating with clients to assist them in managing symptoms and coping with social, marital, legal, financial, and/or employment problems.

· Meets productivity requirements by utilizing various techniques to engage clients and minimize failed appointments and maintaining an acceptable case load which engages and motivates clients throughout treatment.

· Performs follow-up activities for outpatients and/or aftercare clients to obtain referral services such as support group counseling, halfway house counseling, and/or vocational training etc.

· Effectively utilizes agency’s medical records software program(s) to complete required medical record documentation in a timely and comprehensive manner and in compliance with NYS OMH and federal regulations including Public Health Law, 42CFR and patient confidentiality policies.

Secondary Functions

· Collaborate with other care providers and referral sources to increase understanding of client issues and assets.

· Participates as a contributing member of an interdisciplinary team in coordination and delivery of client care which may include the provision of Clinical support/oversight for professional development of staff.

· Participates in professional supervision and education that supports continuous improvement of client care including weekly case management staff meetings.

· Consistently reviews policies and procedures and stays well-informed of current laws, regulations and policies.

· Performs other related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

· Intermediary to advanced knowledge of mental health diagnosis and their effects on the individual and family members including human behavior, attitudes, and motivations and their applicability in the treatment/rehabilitation of the individual.

· Intermediary knowledge of mental health counseling and treatment principles, practices, and techniques and competent knowledge of individual and group behavior including interviewing techniques.

· Familiar with the resources available to individuals with a mental health diagnosis.

· Ability to recognize symptoms and history of onset and elicit information concerning underlying reasons for mental health diagnosis

· Ability to effectively manage a caseload of mental health clients, conduct mental health assessments, write bio-psychosocial assessment summaries, and develop client progress reports and evaluations.

· Ability to accurately prepare and maintain documentation of services, treatment records, and reports utilizing computer databases and software programs including proficiency with spreadsheets.

· Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and the general public.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be able to:

· Use a computer including keyboard and mouse operations; visual and/or auditory capacity.

· The employee may lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

The MH Counselor must be able to prioritize situations and manage time and may find that they are needed at irregular hours causing fatigue and stress. The Counselor may experience stress and stress related symptoms due to interacting with clients in crisis. S/he may be exposed to illness and unsanitary conditions so must take care to protect their own health. They may also have to manage physically threatening clients and be prepared to be responsible for their own safety, and the safety of others.

Work Environment

The employee is expected to adhere to strict policies/regulations relative to being in a tobacco and alcohol free workplace. Work is performed in a normal office environment.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Human Services or related field from an accredited institution. Licensed in the state of NY as a LCSW, LMSW, or LMHC, LMFT etc highly preferred. License Permit accepted (LMSW-P, LMHC-P, etc) Experienced in clinical counseling activities in a mental health clinical setting is highly preferred. Must possess a valid driver’s license. This position is subject to a criminal background clearance.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 - $27.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• Mental health counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
• Clinical counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
• EMR systems: 1 year (Preferred)
• Social work: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Drivers License (Required)
• LMSW, LMHC, LMSW-P, LMHC-P, LMFT, LCSW (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Elmira, NY 14901 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $27