Behavior Health Counselor

SUMMARY:

Provide direct services to UIHS clients, through individual, group, child and family counseling. Address mental health issues, including trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, grief and loss and disrupted family dynamics. Must have training in crisis response and risk management. Perform assessments, diagnosis, treatment planning and discharge planning. Collaborate with other providers and make appropriate referrals for UIHS clients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Level I:

• Must be willing to learn more about the American Indian culture and attend at least one Cultural Presentation/Training per year.
• Provide direct behavioral health services to individuals, groups, children and families, under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Manager.
• Develop theoretical orientation consistent with personal style of therapy and appropriate to clients served.
• Provide crisis counseling as needed, including in the primary care clinic.
• Maintain a caseload of clients.
• Follow the reporting requirements for incidents of Child Abuse, Elder Abuse, Adult Abuse, Dependent Adult Abuse, and Tarasoff warnings per California reporting laws.
• Meet with clinical mental health services staff for the purpose of reviewing client progress and to assure quality treatment planning.
• Give input on overall structure of treatment program.
• Review client files at discharge for completion, making written notes of findings, and review findings with counseling staff for the purpose of quality assurance.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and on-site staff training.
• Provide specialized counseling groups or classes, on topics such as parenting, depression, grief, anger management, self-esteem, youth groups or other topics within the scope of skill and training.

• Participate in weekly case consultation meetings.
• Maintain client electronic health records in a complete and timely manner, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes and other reports and/or statistical data as required by the law, section and agency. Appropriately diagnose, assess and make efficacious treatment recommendations based on client’s clinical presentation and symptoms.

• Include clients in all aspects of treatment, including development of treatment plan and goals. Utilize a strength-based model.
• Clearly document and demonstrate support for client diagnosis, treatment plan, discharge and adjunct service recommendations.
• Utilize strategies and interventions pertinent to individual clients, including, but not limited to, culturally relevant practices, traditions and preferences.
• Refer clients to additional treatment, services or support, as indicated. Coordinate services with referring agencies as needed.
• Collaborate actively with community providers, as approved by clients, to ensure optimal health and wellbeing, and achievement of treatment goals.
• Attend section, organizational, and other assigned meetings.
• Adhere to UIHS Communication Norms and Guiding Principles, accreditation and compliance standards/guidelines.

• Abide by all legal and ethical standards of the profession including as dictated by state, federal, accrediting and licensing body guidelines.
• Performs other training and job-related activities requested by the Behavioral Health Director or delegate.

• Maintains a professional organized clean working environment by following organizational policies, guidelines, and safety standards.
• Assists in development of departmental policy, procedures, and quality improvement activities within the clinic as directed

Level II: In addition to above-stated duties:

• Periodically provide mental health presentations, in-services or other trainings to the community, UIHS staff and board.
• May provide supervision to one (1) Intern, Associate, Trainee or Student as assigned by the Behavioral Health Director or delegate.

Level III: In addition to the above-stated duties:

• Provides supervision to multiple Interns, Associates, Trainees or Students as assigned by the Behavioral Health Director or delegate.
• Assumes responsibility for Special Projects as assigned by the Behavioral Health Director or delegate.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Level I: Has no supervisory responsibility.
• Level II: May have supervisory responsibility after two (2) years in the position to one (1) Intern, Associates, Trainees or Students as assigned by the Behavioral Health Director or delegate.
• Level III: Provides supervision and group supervision to multiple Interns, Associates, Trainees or Students as assigned by the Behavioral Health Director or delegate.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All individuals must demonstrate a commitment to the provision of culturally sensitive counseling services to American Indians.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Educational degrees must be from a US Department of Education accredited school.

• Level I: Must have a Master’s Degree from an accredited university and be Registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Social Worker or a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern.

• Level II: Must be a licensed MFT or LCSW with at least two (2) years of counseling experience.
• Level III: Must be a licensed MFT or LCSW with at least five (5) years of licensed counseling experience and qualify to supervise Interns or Associates per the requirements of the Board of Behavioral Sciences.

COMPUTER OPERATIONS

• Proficient personal computer skills including electronic mail, record keeping, routine database activity, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, etc.
• Ability to work with Electronic Health Records is required.