A Mental or Behavioral Health Counselor works with patients to treat mental health problems. Assesses patients and assists with diagnosis, counseling and crisis intervention. Consults with nurses, doctors and psychiatrists. May work with specific populations, such as youth, senior citizens or substance abusers, in group settings, facilities or hospitals.
Mental Health Counselor at the Robert N. Barnes Juvenile Justice facility to address the multiple and complex needs of the youth committed to the facility as well as their families through a multidisciplinary integrated approach that includes implementation of a general rehabilitation strategy and a Mental Health Treatment Program (MHTP). The MHTP provides psychiatric and counseling assistance to youth who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe mental health problems and/or illnesses, chemical dependency issues, or complex trauma which allows the general rehabilitation case managers to focus on risk reduction and protective factor enhancement strategies in order to reduce the risk of reoffending. This collaboration allows for holistic and individualized treatment of youth in need of MHTP services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following: Other duties may be assigned. The Mental Health Counselor provides a range of direct counseling services to youth who have been adjudicated and committed to the Robert N. Barnes Juvenile Justice facility by the Nueces County Juvenile Court or other Juvenile Courts throughout the region. Direct services include conducting group, individual, family, trauma, crisis counseling, administering and interpreting evaluations of youth at risk and youth in need of suicide assessments. Assists in monitoring the agency's multifaceted treatment program and reviews and monitors specialized treatment programs. Assists with related in-service training for facility staff and trains group leaders. Collaborates with facility administrators, specialized treatment case management or program specialist staff, probation officers, and contracted staff. Assists in the supervision of intake, assessment and treatment, while collaborating with case managers, educational staff, juvenile correctional officers, and probation officers. Provide services in the juvenile detention center and probation department under the direction of the Mental Health Services Supervisor. Maintains and tracks all the data as it relates to the mental health treatment program and the juvenile probation department for the generating of statistical reports as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Any employee who drives a vehicle on official business must have a driving record which meets standards set by the County and the County's insurance carrier. EDUCATION and/or
EXPERIENCE
Minimum requirements: Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) or LCDC-I attending a Master's degree program in counseling, social work, psychology or a related field with one year of graduation; or attending a Master's degree program in counseling, social work, psychology or a related field and be within six months (last semester of course work) or graduating. Incumbent must be 21 years of age.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of counseling theories, strategies and skills including treatment techniques used for behavior modification. Knowledge of diagnostic criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM V), and the Texas Education Association for the evaluation of serious emotional disturbance. Knowledge of psychological tests and measurements related to working with juvenile offenders. Knowledge of juvenile risk assessment, treatment practices and principles, family interventions, and regulatory standards. Knowledge of or ability to acquire knowledge of Robert N. Barnes Juvenile. Justice Facility and its programs. Skill in facilitating individual and group counseling sessions with juvenile offenders including trauma-based approaches. Skill in conducting family counseling and family reintegration sessions. Skill in interviewing, evaluation, and assessment, and in making appropriate decisions and recommendations regarding treatment options. Skill in training and/or teaching others. Skill in maintaining accurate records and files. Ability to organize and prioritize workloads to carry out assigned tasks in a timely manner. Ability to maintain confidential information. Ability to function as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team. Ability to provide services to youth in a correctional setting with a wide variety of temperaments (volatile, suicidal, serious mental health needs) and specialized needs (chemically dependent, emotionally unstable, trauma history, etc). Ability to work under stressful conditions, with possible occurrences of extreme heightened stress. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to direct the activities of youth. Ability to apply the agency's doctrine to youth which includes the ability to treat youth with respect in all situations. Ability to intervene and correct behavior and facilitate group discussions and activities. Ability to recognize when decisions need to be made, process information logically, make decisions, and demonstrate the soundness of those decisions. Ability to read, write, and use a computer on a regular basis. Ability to participate in ongoing didactic training as scheduled by the agency. Ability to work flexible hours. Ability to travel. Ability to work in excess of 40 hours per week and work a schedule other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All other duties as assigned.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and draw and to interpret bar graphs.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Valid Texas Operator's Driver's License. Must be licensed in Texas within one year as one of the following: Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC - Associate) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Associate (LMFT-A). Failure to maintain the required certification or license and remain in good standing is grounds for termination of employment. Must obtain and provide proof of Professional Liability Insurance and keep current.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of modern principles of sociology, criminology, child and adolescent psychology, social casework techniques, methods and techniques of counseling and of laws and regulations relating to the function of the juvenile justice system and family law matters. Ability to make investigations and report the results clearly, accurately and impartially. Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate facts from which to develop individual program plans and appropriate case dispositions. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other county employees and officials, clients, representatives of other agencies and the general public. Ability to deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
