POSITION SUMMARY: The Counselor serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary patient care team. This involves the delivery of outpatient therapeutic counseling services to patients. The Counselor provides direct patient counseling services with a focus on general mental health to individuals, families, and groups. Work performance is reviewed for conformance to policies, procedures, and practices related to behavioral health service delivery. The Counselor reports directly to the Behavioral Health Coordinator at their service site.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1.  Assesses and provides appropriate therapeutic counseling services for individuals, families, and groups presenting with problems related to general mental health that are within the scope of the Counselor’s license, education, and skills.

Measures of Success:

A.  Maintains an average individual active caseload of 30 – 40 patients.

B.  Reviews intake/assessment of individual patients and develops with active patient participation, individualized treatment plans with goals and objectives that address the needs of the patient.

C.  Organize and run treatment groups in alignment with the organizational operational and strategic plan.

D.  Utilizes case management support efficiently as indicated in the patient treatment plan.

2.  Provides behavioral health related prevention/education services to the community in a cost effective and efficient manner.

Measures of Success:

A.  Plans, advertises, and delivers annual mental health and/or substance use related education and prevention sessions to the community and agency staff.

B.  Tracks education sessions with brief post-presentation participant assessments.

C.  Submits a quarterly behavioral health related article for inclusion in the agency newsletter.

D.  Provides activities that support the provision of health promotion and disease prevention to the persons served in the program..

3.  Provides accurate and timely documentation, billing, and program audit support.

Measures of Success:

A.  Documents all patient services using the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and maintains accurate and timely patient case records in accordance with state licensing, (T)RBHA, departmental directives, and agency billing/record keeping requirements.

B.  Submits encounters to billing within required timeframes.

C.  Documents outcome measures as required by the program.

4.  Actively participates in case staffing meetings and peer review sessions.

Measures of Success:

A.  Provides peer consultation in case staffing, assuring quality assurance, and as necessary reports to referring representatives on patient progress.

B.  Utilizes case staffing to assure that patients receive services in an appropriate, efficient, expeditious, and professional manner.

C.  Completes case staffing documentation and files appropriately.

5.  Collaborates with the care team and other internal and external health care providers for shared patients to facilitate patient care and follow-up.

Measures of Success:

A.  Assure communication with care providers is regular and productive to enhance patient care.

B.  Proactively seek resolution to program/service and personnel challenges using professionalism and integrity.

C.  Refer patients to appropriate recognized medical, behavioral, or other facilities as necessary, providing complete clinical information for care and diagnostic procedures that cannot be adequately provided onsite.

D.  Actively promotes services to internal agency departments, city courts, probation officers, assessment agencies, and other potential referral sources. Reports monthly on these activities on the monthly report form.

6.  Supports the organization as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Excellent knowledge of counseling theories, techniques, and principles including documentation for treatment services.

2. Model professionalism, integrity, and ethical principles at all times.

3. Ability to accomplish the quality and quantity of work expected within set limits of cost and time.

4. Ability to plan own work and carry out assignments effectively and completely.

5. Must have strong listening, written, and oral communication skill with ability to communicate clearly with patients, providers and staff.

6. Ability to establish rapport and gain the confidence of others (providers, case managers, primary care team, patients and associates).

7. Must be able to work with confidential material without betraying the trust of patients, families, or the agency.

8. Ability to assess quality of patient care and make improvements as needed.

9. Knowledge of the cultural, social, and economic backgrounds of the populations served and the ability to work with diverse populations.

10. Knowledge of mental health issues of diverse populations served.

11. Knowledge of and skills to provide brief intervention counseling focused on adults with general mental health and substance abuse challenges.

12. Promote the agency’s core values and mission.

13. Always exercise utmost discretion, diplomacy and tact in customer transactions.

14. Remains current and completes on time, all assigned Relias trainings and other training related to the health promotion and disease prevention of the persons served in the program.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS:

1. Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work or Counseling is required.

2. AZ licensing is required in LMSW in Social Work, LAC in Counseling, or LMFT. LCSW or LPC licensing is preferred.

3. Three years of specialized experience working or related to the position is preferred.

4. Possess current and unrestricted Arizona driver’s license with no DUI/DWI or reckless driving convictions in the last five years. No more than two at-fault accidents in the last three years. Must maintain a valid AZ driver license during employment. Must be insurable by the NATIVE HEALTH liability auto policy.

5. Must present a Class I Fingerprint Clearance Card prior to employment.

6. Must pass alcohol/substance abuse testing upon employment, and submit to random testing during the course of employment.

7. Must have an updated Immunization (IZ) Record.

8. Must have a current (within 12 months) Tuberculosis (TB) skin report upon employment and provide an update annually.

9. Must obtain a CPR and First Aid Card within ninety (90) calendar days of employment and maintain valid updated training during employment.

Counselor

• Independently Licensed in Arizona as LCSW or LPC is preferred.
• Minimally licensed as a LMSW or LAC required.
• Ability to work with both adults and children.

NATIVE HEALTH. is an EEOC, Employment-At-Will, and Native American Preference employer. Drug Free and Commercial Smoke-Free work environment.