Child Clinical Counselor at Third Street Family Health Services

Job Title: Clinical Counselor

Department: Behavior Health

Supervisor Title: Director of BH or Clinical Manager of BH

UDS Classification: Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LSW/LISW) & Other Licensed Mental Health Provides (LPC/LPCC)

EEO Class: Professional

FLSA Status: Exempt

Starting Wage: LSW/LPC: $48,000 (BSW) $52,000 (MSW) LISW/LPCC: $62,000

Pay Grade/Funding Source: Prof/Lic-1-2

Organizational Information:

Established in 1994, Third Street Family Health Services is a regional not-for-profit community health center providing medical, dental, OB/GYN, pediatric, community outreach, and behavioral health services across eleven locations in Richland, Ashland, and Crawford counties. Our mission is to deliver comprehensive health and wellness care, accessible to all in the communities we serve. We believe that the health status of our community can be improved by providing accessible and affordable health care, advocacy, and community health initiatives.

We provide patient-centered care and provide our services with respect, integrity, and accountability top of mind. For more information, visit thirdstreetfamily.org or find them on Facebook or Twitter.

Job Summary:

Clinical counselors at a community mental health agency fill a vital role in delivering mental health services, advocating for clients, and collaborating with a diverse team of professionals to promote overall well-being within the community. The counselor will have a strong commitment to ethical standards, cultural competence, and ongoing professional development. Clinical counselors will provide behavioral health diagnostic assessments, behavioral health counseling, psychotherapy, and other interventions to individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Your ability to flex communication style to multiple cultural environments is necessary while you meet with clients, their families, guardians, or agency representatives.

Essential Job Duties:

• Conduct thorough diagnostic assessments of clients' social, emotional, and environmental factors that may impact their overall health and well-being to evaluate clients' mental health and/or substance use concerns, identify their needs and develop appropriate treatment plans.
• Support clients in managing their mental health and/or substance use challenges and improving their quality of life by providing counseling and therapy. This could include individual, family or group counseling to clients dealing with a range of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or substance abuse.
• Develop comprehensive treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each client.
• Collaborate with other health care professionals within the health center such as doctors, nurses, and case managers to coordinate the client's care plan. This involves ensuing that clients have access to the necessary resources, such as healthcare referrals, social services, housing assistance or financial aid programs.
• Be prepared to provide immediate support and appropriate crisis intervention services for clients/communities in immediate distress or facing emergency situations. This may involve assessing suicide/homicide risk, managing safety concerns including those related to domestic violence and abuse, and connecting clients to appropriate crisis resources.
• Provides psychotherapy for individuals who qualify for services on site and or via telehealth.
• Creates positive relationship with clients, their families, guardians or agency representatives.
• Serve as an advocate for clients, helping them navigate complex systems and connecting them with community resources or case managers.
• Support health education efforts for clients by promoting preventive care, healthy lifestyle choices, and self-care techniques. Utilize education to empower clients to take an active role in managing their health and well-being.
• Meet productivity or billing requirements set by the Chief Behavioral Health Officer.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of your interactions with clients, treatment plans, progress notes and referrals.
• Adhere to ethical guidelines and standards of practice, such as those set by state licensing boards and professional counseling associations.
• Observe and conform to the policies, procedures and standards of Third Street Family Health Services.
• Collaborate in a professional manner with all members of the health care team.
• Advocate and refer individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance abuse/addiction to community agencies for treatment.
• Network with local social service agencies to remain knowledgeable about available services and the referral process for those services.
• Maintenance of all required licensure, certification, registration, training, behavioral health knowledge (including but not limited to new or changing treatments and standards of care), and/or expertise to meet the needs of clients as determined by the organization.
• Acquisition of additional trainings, licensures, or certificates as deemed necessary in the ongoing determination and mission to meet the needs of clients and the community.
• Provide training and/or work supervision to licensees with appropriate licensure, if applicable/needed, as defined in OAC Rule 4757-17-01 "Counseling Supervision".
• Observe and conform to all laws, customs and ethical guidelines and standards of practice applicable to the behavioral health profession, including those set by state licensing boards and professional counseling associations.
• Practice, communicate, and embody the dispassionate and unbiased delivery of care regardless of personal bias or prejudice and as appropriate for a professional of the rank of clinical counselor.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives within the organization to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of mental health services.
• Communicate with the leadership team on all matters relating to malpractice insurance status, including notification of any claims and full compliance with the risk management policies and procedures of Third Street.
• Comply with State and Federal Regulations along with accreditation requirement in accordance with CARF, ODMHAS, HRSA, The Joint Commission and other applicable standards.
• Be available for to participate in "on-call" coverage as needed due to PTO or other coverage shortages. This could include evening or weekend on call duties.
• Confer with supervisors regarding progress, concerns, and recommendations.
• Participation in staff meetings and other meetings.
• Participation in good faith in peer review audit of charts as designated by Third Street.
• Practice good stewardship of clinic and community resources by providing cost effective and efficient care to the clients in our charge.
• Be a positive role model for all health center staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties:

None.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Counselor principles: You should have a strong understanding of counseling/social work principles, ethics, and values. This includes knowledge of human behavior, diversity and cultural competence, social justice, and the impact of social determinants of health on individuals and communities.
• Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis: You should be proficient in conducting comprehensive assessments of individuals' social, emotional, and environmental factors. This involves gathering relevant information, utilizing assessment tools, and identifying mental health conditions or psychosocial issues that may require intervention.
• Treatment Planning and Intervention: You should have the ability to develop effective treatment plans based on the assessment findings. This includes formulating goals and objectives, selecting appropriate interventions and evidence-based practices, and regularly reviewing and adjusting the plan as needed.
• Counseling and Therapeutic Techniques: You should possess strong counseling skills and be familiar with various therapeutic modalities. This includes individual, family, and group counseling, crisis intervention, cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and other approaches that align with the needs of the population you serve.
• Care Coordination and Resource Navigation: You should have knowledge of community resources and services, including healthcare, mental health, housing, employment, financial assistance, and social support programs. The ability to effectively coordinate care and connect clients with appropriate resources is crucial for addressing their social needs.
• Familiarity with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines governing behavioral health services, including HIPAA, state licensing requirements, and accreditation standards.

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills are essential for building rapport with clients, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and advocating on behalf of your clients. Active listening, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to communicate complex information in a clear and understandable manner are crucial.
• Crisis Management and Risk Assessment: You should be skilled in identifying and managing crisis situations, including assessing for suicide risk, domestic violence, child abuse, and other emergencies. This involves having the ability to provide immediate support, implement safety plans, and make appropriate referrals to ensure the well-being of your clients.
• Documentation and Record-Keeping: Accurate and timely documentation is vital for maintaining proper records of assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and referrals. Familiarity with electronic health record systems and compliance with confidentiality and privacy regulations is essential.
• Professional Development and Ethical Practice: Continuously seeking professional development opportunities, staying updated on best practices and evidence-based interventions, and adhering to the ethical guidelines and standards of the social work/counseling profession are essential for providing high-quality care.
• Computer literacy skills, including Windows applications, Microsoft Office Suite, and basic database usage, as well as basic typing.
• Skilled in organization and attention to detail.

Abilities:

• Cultural Competence and Diversity: Understanding and respecting the cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and practices of diverse populations is crucial. Being culturally competent enables you to effectively engage with individuals from various backgrounds and provide culturally sensitive care.
• Demonstrate empathy, compassion, and understanding when working with individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, as well as effectively managing one's own emotions and stress.
• Adapt to changing priorities, work demands, and emerging trends in the field.
• Exchange information with participants and/or families in various settings regarding program plans and performance of participant.
• Work collaboratively with health care providers, community organizations and other stakeholders.
• Build relationships and supportive networks amongst the multi-county service area including a deep understanding of the resources available.
• Advocate for the needs of individuals with mental health and substance use issues, raising awareness, and promoting mental health and substance use initiatives within the community.
• Complete required program documentation, follow through on assignments, and manage many deadlines. Manage time, organize, and work with multiple priorities; problem-solving and exercising sound judgment and decision making.

Qualifications

• State of Ohio CT/LSW/LPC/LISW/LPCC/LISW-S/LPCC-S License
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree
• Experience in counseling and crisis intervention, preferred.

Personal Contacts:

• Frequent contact with staff of community agencies and the general public. Daily contact with agency staff. Must develop and maintain positive relationships with all of the above.

Environmental & Physical Requirements:

• Mobility: must be able to move independently and safely throughout the workplace, including offices, counseling rooms, and common areas.
• Manual dexterity: should have sufficient hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills to perform tasks such as writing, typing, operating computer systems, and handling paperwork.
• Visual and auditory abilities: must have adequate vision and hearing abilities to effectively communicate with clients, read written materials, and interpret non-verbal cues during counseling sessions.
• Speech and communication: should possess clear and effective verbal communication skills to facilitate open dialogue with clients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals.
• Sitting or standing: should be able to sustain a seated or standing position for extended periods while meeting with clients/clients/external visitors, attending meetings, or performing administrative tasks.
• Emotional resilience: must have the emotional stability and resilience to work with clients/clients/coworkers facing challenging circumstances, maintaining composure and professionalism during difficult discussions.
• Sensory sensitivity: should be sensitive to the needs of clients/clients/coworkers and exhibit appropriate responses to their physical and emotional cues, ensuring a supportive and non-judgmental environment.

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