Primary Counselor (Eating Disorder)

Full-time salaried position

POSITION SUMMARY

Under general to limited supervision, provides intensive, professional counseling services to a caseload of patients with eating disorders, substance abuse disorders, and/or mental health disorders.

QUALIFICATIONS

Completion of a Master’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Sociology or an equivalent field at a four year college or university. At least two years experience providing individual and/or group counseling for a caseload of patients.

Must be licensed in TN as an Addiction Counselor, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker, or in process of becoming licensed.

Recovering individuals must have a minimum of two years of continuous addictive substance and/or disordered eating behavior abstinence and must be active in support groups.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

1. Assess assigned patients and develop individualized treatment plans.
2. Conducts individual counseling sessions and family sessions with assigned patients.
3. Documents individual counseling sessions with assigned customers in accordance with facility policy and procedures, State regulations and Joint Commission standards within the established time frame.
4. Conducts group therapy sessions on a regular basis as scheduled.
5. Documents individual and group therapy sessions within established time frames and according to policies and procedures.
6. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of counseling theory and techniques.
7. Develops and implements appropriate therapeutic activities and/or programs.
8. Addresses issues identified in the treatment plans and focuses on problems that occur.
9. Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of group process, eating disorders, mental illness/substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and other designated skill areas.
10. Demonstrates ability to build therapeutic rapport with patients and family members.
11. Conducts emergency counseling sessions as requested by staff or patients.
12. Appropriately de-escalates disruptive or crisis situations.
13. Is appropriately available to patients during times of emotional, physical or life crisis.
14. Provide information to treatment team – present appropriate information, participates in team discussion and evaluation of patient goals, objectives and motivations.
15. Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate books, journals, and other literature and attending related seminars and conferences.
16. Completes all facility required documentation within required time frames.
17. Perform other duties as assigned by Program Director.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Accept responsibility for professional growth and development of self.
2. Adhere to facility and departmental policies and procedures.
3. Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
4. Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.
5. Support facility wide performance improvement goals and objectives.
6. Maintain confidentiality of employees and patients.

To perform the job successfully, an individual must demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations. Responds promptly to customer needs; responds to requests for service, assistance, and meets commitments. Able to build rapport quickly.
• Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Listens, gets clarification, and responds well to questions.
• Written Communication – Writes clearly, informatively, and edits work for grammar. Able to read and interpret written information.
• Quality Management – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies, procedures, completes administrative tasks correctly, and all on time.
• Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment. Supports and explains reasoning for decisions.
• Planning/Organizing - Uses time effectively.
• Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner. Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions. Can function effectively as a member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Quantity – Complete work in a timely manner working quickly with a bias for action.
• Adaptability – Manages competing demands.
• Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time.
• Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments.
• Computer Proficiency – Demonstrates proficient operation of computer equipment, operating systems, and common related software. Has the ability to learn the proper use of the electronic medical records system.
• Ethics – Adheres to all ethical guidelines set forth by the facility, State of Tennessee, and state licensing boards governing and qualifying therapists to be patient advocates and provide safe and supportive treatment.
• Active Listening – Involves listening with all senses, f ully concentrating on what is being said rather than just passively 'hearing' the message of the speaker.
• Collaboration/Teamwork – Works together with other staff and patients toward achieving common goals of high quality and ethical patient care.
• Safety/Security – Follows all safety and security guidelines of the facility to ensure a safe and protective environment for patient growth and change and working environment for other staff.