Mental health counselor job description

Consistent with the Iowa Board of Certification (IBC) Standards, the counselor is a member of the MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center multi-disciplinary treatment team and is accountable for the delivery of holistic, compassionate, individualized, and effective care demonstrated by the use of the core functions of practice associated with the counselor role.

+ Master's degree in addiction studies or related field or working on completion of degree.Licensure as a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) preferred. State certification as a substance abuse counselor or eligibility with completion of certification within one year following date of hire (tCADC, CADC, IADC, IAADC). Not required if licensed as a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).

+ Minimum of two years of clinical counseling experience in a mental health or substance use disorder setting is preferred.

+ The counselor, if a recovering person, must have a minimum of three years continuous sobriety or freedom from mood altering chemicals.
MercyOne offers:

+ competitive wages

+ generous paid time off (PTO) plan

+ flexible scheduling

+ comprehensive benefit package including - medical, dental, vision, life insurance and 403b retirement

+ an on-site childcare center

We are dedicated to helping our patients live their best life, through all of life's journeys. Join us at MercyOne and be part of a Magnet team where colleagues have a strong voice about the delivery of quality patient care, a team where your skills, achievements and opinions are highly valued!

Come join our circle of care as a Counselor in our Behavioral Health department!

**Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion**

Trinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.

Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.

We make a difference - in your community and in your career.

Group Living Environment (GLE) - Mental Health Counselor (Relief)

Great opportunity to become part of our innovative Adult Community Clinical Services program (ACCS), working as part of a team in a Group Living Environment setting. Being a relief Mental Health Counselor offers the opportunity to gain experience in the field while having a flexible schedule.

As a GLE Counselor you will build upon your past work experience in the mental health field, assisting adults in the community.

Primary responsibilities include providing guidance, education, supervision, and direct supports to assist individuals served with maintaining their physical and emotional health, living safely in the community, and developing the skills and resources necessary for successful independent living.

Services are designed around each person's strengths and interests, with a focus on promoting resiliency and recovery for all participants. Interactions will be guided by an appreciation for those being served as unique individuals and adults, with the expectation and goal of mutual learning and growth.

Training and supervision provided.

Pay Rate: $16.25/hour

Schedule: Flexible relief shifts

Location: Shifts available in Milford, Medway, Northbridge, Grafton, Millbury

Required Skills

+ Must have a demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment

+ Excellent written and verbal communication skills (in the English language) required

+ Ability to work evening and weekend hours required. Must have valid driver's license and available, dependable transportation and be willing to provide transportation to persons served in personal vehicle, as needed

Required Experience

+ Bachelor's Degree preferred. High School diploma and one year related experience required

+ Experience working with recovery model, dual diagnosis, and/or addictions a plus

Riverside Community Care is dedicated to respect, integrity and engagement of all individuals. We are committed to building an inclusive and culturally competent organization and we value the richness of having a diverse applicant pool. As an employer committed to equal opportunity, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic as established by law.

Participant Care – 70%
•Upon referral in EMR, completes a comprehensive mental health assessment on participants that includes diagnosis, recommendations and treatment plan(s),
•Documents clinical findings, diagnosis and treatment plan and discusses with referring professional.
•Acts as liaison with contract psychiatrists to monitor response to medication changes and to ensure continuity of care.
•Consults with team members regarding assessment findings and provides interventions and case conferencing.
•Provides ongoing individual and group counseling to participants, family members and caretakers.
•Aggressively manages those participants at risk for inpatient psychiatric hospitalization by collaborating with InnovAge PACE staff, providers and family caregivers.
•Coordinates care with other team members involved in participant treatment plan.
•Collaborates with CNA’s and other InnovAge PACE staff in an attempt to resolve behavior management issues.
•Monitors the effectiveness of behavior management plans and makes recommendations as needed

Administration – 30%
•Mentors team members in the group therapy process and provides training for co-facilitators.
•In collaboration with the Behavioral Health Coordinator, assess appropriate levels of care and intervention for participants on caseload.
•Facilitates mental health updates with team members at center on a regular basis.
•Documents ongoing treatment and participant’s response in the progress notes of the participant’s medical record.
•Attends and participates in conferences to discuss participant care.
•Participates in committees and events as requested by management.

REQUIRED
Licensed Mental Health Professional: LPC, LMFT, LCSW or Licensed Psychologist.
Current CPR certification or the ability to obtain CPR certification is required.
Experience working with gero-psychiatric issues in a solution focused environment that provided brief psychotherapeutic techniques and psychotropic medications commonly used to treat behavioral conditions in the elderly.
Experience and extensive knowledge of the chronic disease processes of the elderly and related psycho-social implications.
Demonstrated experience in the provision of psychotherapeutic modalities such as group and family interventions required in addition to experience with conflict management and mediation.
A minimum of one year experience working with the frail or elderly is required.

Job Title: Mental Health Counselor
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
State/Business Line Specific: PACE
Reports to: Manager Behavioral Health Services