Mental Health Counselor
We are seeking a dedicated Mental Health Counselor to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for mental health care and possess the skills necessary to provide support and assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities in need.
Responsibilities: The counselor is a professional rehabilitation position and is directly responsible to the Director of Mental Health. He/she is responsible for an assigned caseload including all aspects of service delivery to participants and their families. Must have the specific skills training required by regulation and department.
Entry Level Requirements: B.A. in psychology, sociology, rehabilitation counseling or a related field required but master’s degree may be required to perform certain duties.
Successful completion of the following trainings:
· CPR/First Aid
· DDD Requirements
· Mental Health First Aid
· Ethics every 2 years’ Experience operating basic office equipment and technology: Phone, Fax, Copier, Printer, Computer, Smart Phone, Word, Excel, Outlook, basic database data entry, Carelogic EHR, Knowledge of general office procedures.
General Duties:
1. Individual counseling with a goal of helping participants relate to their aptitudes, skills, interests and limitations within a framework of a realistic vocational objective. Individuals could be in school, vocational programming, day habilitation or mental health programming. Counselors are required to become proficient in written goal plan development.
2. Preparation and up to date maintenance of an on-going case record of the participant’s status while in the program and following placement.
3. Preparation of reports about participants to the appropriate sponsoring agency.
4. Preparation of statistical data on the status of each participant to be presented to the Director of Vocational Services as needed.
5. Participation in regular staff meetings.
6. Liaison with the referral agencies and other sponsoring agencies.
7. Attendance at least yearly in training programs and professional workshops to attain new skills or maintain current skills, required by funding sources and the individual department head.
8. Specific skills may be required depending on area signed i.e., Intake, work adjustment training, employment, or mental health recovery focused counseling.
9. Facilitation of groups with a focus on psycho-social or vocational goals may be expected.
10. Coordination and facilitation of Day Habilitation group activities and case management.
11. Knowledge of, referral to, and practices of job development, placement and job coaching.
12. Presentation of recommendations and innovative ideas concerning the improvement of the overall functioning of the program to the department head.
13. Maintenance of contact with supervised living situations, caregivers and families to ensure continuity of services being offered.
Mental Health Duties:
1. Maintain a close working relationship with the consulting psychiatrist, the Director of Mental Health and the nurse, all of whom play an integral part in the mental health program.
2. Research and prepare materials for various psycho-educational group activities weekly.
3. Become familiar with medications used in the treatment of major psychiatric disabilities.
4. Weekly individual counseling sessions with in-depth case recording.
5. Participation in staff psychological consultations.
6. Preparation and presentation of cases at staff psychological consultation meetings.
7. Provides pre-vocational services.
8. Understands and applies information for illness, management and recovery principles.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to lift and/or move up to 10 lbs. Climbing steps, balance, kneel, squat or crawl may be required to complete his/her duties. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities to perform his/her essential job duties.