Behavioral Health Counselor

Position Summary:

The Behavioral Health Counselor performs screenings, assessments, interventions and referral and linkage for individuals at risk of substance abuse disorders and/or mental health issues, with the goal of intervention and prevent worsening of symptoms

Essential Job Functions:

• Carries caseload of approximately 25
• Provides children substance abuse outreach, screening and intervention
• Provides linkage for further assessment and treatment
• Consults with school personnel regarding family needs and participates in case staffings with DCF, Wesley House and/or Our Kids
• Demonstrates empathetic, professional behavior toward children, families, and school personnel
• Maintains confidentiality of service recipients
• Engages clients and completes 115 direct service hours per month
• Enrolls clients in services through intakes and completing biopsychosocial assessments
• Prepares written documentation for each service providedParticipate in case conference
• Completes all orientation and mandated training activities, including E-Learning Courses, within required timeframes, and in accordance with the criteria established for this position.
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation; and

Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licensures:

• Not applicable

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related field is required

Experience and Competencies:

• Two years experience working with substance abuse and children preferred
• Intake and assessment experience is preferred;
• Bilingual is preferred;
• Ability to converse with consumers/families about substance and mental health issues
• Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with members of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to organize, interpret and communicate data in a comprehensive and effective manner.
• Ability to network with internal and external departments and agencies.
• Knowledge in the understanding and application of case management techniques
• Knowledge in the understanding and application of life span development.
• Knowledge in the inter-relationship between trauma, exposure to violence, substance abuse and mental health disorders.
• Ability to assess and evaluate case management needs of consumers/families and to develop appropriate service plans within a developmental framework.
• Ability to chart the results of case management assessments, service plans, progress notes, discharge plans, and other consumer related information.
• Maintains confidential files and records
• Working knowledge of behavioral health terminology 
• Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values
• Knowledge of Incident Reporting
• Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality
• Familiarity with WestCare services and programs
• Understanding of issues related to cultural identity, ethnic background, age, developmental level, gender and sexual orientation in prevention, intervention and treatment.
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and consumers
• Demonstrates respect for an individual’s cultural and ethnic values when interacting with them
• Articulates a working definition of trauma
• Understands the impact of trauma
• Understands re-traumatization
• Demonstrates a high degree of dependability.
  • Maintains a good attendance record.
  • Observes working hours
  • Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor
  • Works independently with minimal supervision
  • Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job
  • Work time is always productive
• Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and  regulatory agencies
  • Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others.
  • Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time.
  • Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare.
  • Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision
  • Maintains a positive attitude toward work
• Ensures and maintains a safe working environment.
  • Work area is clean and orderly.
  • Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures.
  • Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with the Center’s reporting procedures
• Presents a positive personal image
• Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor
• Excellent communication skills;
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion;
• Ability to work well in a team environment;
• Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality;
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or residential treatment setting; and
• Some outdoor activities may be required.
•  
• Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or

without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds.  Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).  Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.  Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues.  However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions. 
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions. 
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.