Counselor- In Home Intervention (Houston County)

Priority Dispatch Corp.; Dothan (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

SpectraCare in Dothan, AL seeks a Bachelor Level Counselor for the In-Home Intervention Team in Houston County. The role provides psychotherapy and coordination with agency services, serving clients and families.

You will work Monday–Friday with flexible hours as needed, travel within the catchment area, document progress, and participate in case staffing. Statewide travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, community, rehabilitation, or related behavioral health field.
• Ability to respond professionally in crisis situations.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel within five-county catchment area.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic services within the In-Home Intervention program.
• Evaluate referrals and plan service delivery.
• Coordinate with community agencies to meet client needs.
• Maintain client records and documentation in a timely manner.
• Respond to emergencies and crisis situations.
• Travel within five-county catchment area as needed.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Counseling skills

Documentation

Communication with families

Education

Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, community, rehabilitation, or related behavioral health field

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Legal Address - Dothan, AL 36303Position Type: Full-TimeBachelor Level Counselor - In Home Intervention Team (Houston County)

This position will be based out of Houston County. Some travel may be required within the 5 county catchment area.

Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm with flexible work hours based on family and program needs.

POSITION SUMMARY/FUNCTION

Provides therapeutic services to clients of the System's IHI unit employing various clinical and social treatment skills and approaches. Provides psychotherapy, documentation, coordination with agency services and response to emergency situations. Travel may be required within the five-county catchment area and/or statewide as needed. Hours for this position are Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm with flexible work hours based on family and program needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBLITIES/FUNCTIONS/TASKS:

• Provides therapeutic services for clients and/or families within the In-Home Intervention program.
• Assist with, and perform, evaluating referrals.
• Assist with, and perform, interviews, planning service plan and providing therapeutic services to families.
• Identify appropriate community service needs and determine appropriate community resources to meet those needs.
• Coordinates involvement of client and family in development of the service plan.
• Coordinate service delivery to families with appropriate agencies.
• Assist with and performs crisis intervention and/or conflict resolution.
• Serve as an advocate for the families.
• Provide transportation only when it is a necessity, but do ensure all community resources such as family, friends, public transportation or special vehicles are utilized.
• Provides follow-up services as needed.
• Performs administrative functions in support of client case load.
• Operates a system for monitoring the individual progress of each client and/or family through progress notes upon client contact.
• Administers a client case load including group therapy, individual therapy and family therapy as determined by the Program Director with documentation such as treatment plans, progress notes, transfer/termination summaries, etc.
• Coordinates with community agencies and programs, such as half-way houses, State Employment Service, VRS and DHR, the delivery of MHSU services as described in patient comprehensive treatment plans.
• Participates in case staffing sessions as scheduled through presentation of cases to develop comprehensive treatment plans and enhance professional competence.
• Maintains up-to-date client records and documents all activities in accordance with requirements and procedures of the System.
• Ensure all written documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ensure records are staffed within standard time frames, with service plan revised as needed and in accordance with SpectraCare Policy and Procedure, ADMH Administrative Code, etc.
• Ensure all progress notes are completed promptly, written in a professional manner and in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Ensures goals are appropriate, specific, and the focus of treatment.
• Ensures all client information is kept up to date.
• Performs other duties assigned by supervisor including but not limited to:
• Serve as liaison for IHI Project families with community agencies and the public.
• Assist with ensuring the IHI Project remains within budget parameters.
• Meet with supervisor on a regular basis.
• Treat others with respect and courtesy at all times.
• Maintain travel voucher accurately and turn in appropriately.
• Follow guidelines of SpectraCare Personnel Policies, SpectraCare Clinical Policies, Alabama Department of Mental Health Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities.
• Participate in training, workshops, in-services, and/or administrative meetings as assigned.
• Reviews current literature and participates in activities to promote professional development.
• Prepares for and assists in the inspection and responds to the recommendations resulting from periodic facility and program site reviews conducted by regulating entities to include but not limited to: Alabama Department of Mental Health, CMS, or other regulating and contractual entities.
• Ensure that documentation is completed and up to date before leave time is taken.
• Ensure necessary documentation is completed in a timely manner with minimal errors and in compliance with applicable guidelines and policies.
• Receive and respond to inquiries promptly and courteously.
• Adhere to Dress Code as set forth in the SpectraCare policies and procedures.
• Respond to emergency and/or crisis situations as they arise.
• Functions and performs well in stressful environments and manages work related stress to ensure the safety of others.
• Demonstrates a willingness to work on any unit / program at SpectraCare based on facility needs as directed.
• Conforms to SpectraCare’s Core Values as duties are carried out daily.
• Functions within professional boundaries with individuals and others.
• Works in a cooperative manner with other SpectraCare employees, individuals, and/or family members.
• Performs duties independently and/or with minimal supervision.
• Perform all duties with the highest standard of ethics
• Works well with other staff and individuals to ensure safety of program, individuals and other staff.
• Other services, tasks, functions, and responsibilities deemed necessary; not otherwise specified.
• Provides crisis counseling as scheduled on Helpline.
• Regular attendance with timely arrival and departure according to scheduled hours.
• Must be able to work full time with rotating assignments as necessary to include but not limited to overtime hours, nights and/or weekends as scheduled.
• To ensure client safety while on duty, must remain awake during scheduled working hours.
• Fulfill duties of Nurse Delegation Program (residential only).
• Become fully certified as a Medication Administration Certified (MAC) provider.
• Follow all regulations as outlined in the MAC policies including but not limited to the Seven (7) Rights and Responsibilities, training, consultation with RN/LPN, error reporting.
• Comply with all documentation requirements of the MAC program including the MARs, counting and recording controlled substances, PRN medications, sign-out sheets for home visits, and medication errors reporting sheets.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBLITIES/FUNCTIONS/TASKS:

• Attend mandatory trainings as required by ADMH or other agencies.
• Attend departmental meetings and other assigned meetings.
• Attend all required job-related/system training.
• Assist in other areas as needed.
• Conforms to System’s policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Ability to respond professionally in a crisis situation.
• Working knowledge and understanding of crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to have patience and emotional stability.
• Ability to communicate with mental illness and substance abuse clients as well as community agencies, other professionals and the public at large.
• Knowledge of principles and methods of counseling.
• Knowledge of mental illness and substance abuse issues and their social implications.
• Skills in leading and directing group activities.
• Must perform all duties with the highest standard of ethics.
• Ability to adhere to health and safety standards.
• Ability to stay awake during working shift.
• Basic knowledge of individual’s rights.
• Ability to develop interpersonal relationships with clients and families.
• Ability to relay coping skills, positive attitude skills and self esteem.
• Ability to facilitate educational groups to individuals as needed.
• Ability to counsel persons who are maladjusted, or drug/alcohol addicted.
• Working knowledge of Business English, spelling and arithmetic.
• Ability and knowledge of the clinical aspects of system requirements.
• Ability to maintain unit files through electronic medical record.
• Ability to operate office machines such as computers, copier and fax machines.
• Ability to understand and follow moderately complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to adhere to SpectraCare policy, HIPAA laws, and 42 CFR regarding confidentiality.
• Ability to follow orders and directives and work with supervisor and other staff.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with the Program Director and all levels of organizational staff.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of job tasks, in a safe manner without endangering any employee, client, or asset.
• Ability to make arithmetic computation and tabulations accurately and with reasonable speed.
• Ability to understand record keeping requirements as required by SpectraCare policies and procedures, Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities.
• Ability to attend to detailed assignments and follow through with task until completion.
• Ability to use discretion, independent action and judgment with minimal supervision.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to adapt to conditions which may vary considerably.
• Ability to travel within five-county catchment area and/or statewide as needed.
• Ability to pass a drug screen when given to include but not limited to pre-employment, random, post-accident, suspicion, etc.
• Ability to function within professional boundaries with individuals and others.
• Able to work in a fast pace environment.
• Ability to function and perform well in stressful environments and manage work related stress to ensure safety of those in the program.

ESSENTIAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• Complete initial new hire training.
• Complete required on the job training (OJT) training by the department.
• Obtain proper certifications needed to perform job duties to include but not limited to targeted case management (TCM) training, IHI training, etc.
• Complete ten (10) hours of specialized training within one (1) year from the date of providing services.
• Complete annual training as required by the Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities.
• Complete First Aid/CPR upon hire and prior to working alone with clients; and continuously thereafter maintaining current certification.

WORK ENVIRONNMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Physical ability to work assigned shift. May require periodic weekend/evening work to meet the organizations’ needs.
• Work location is primarily in a temperature-controlled office with extended periods of computer use at a desk with associated repetitive motions. Must understand and practice good ergonomic movements to avoid injuries.
• Must be able to travel to system facilities with exposure to changing weather conditions.
• Job requires occasional use of office equipment and ability to correctly lift up to twenty (20) pounds on an infrequent basis.
• Job requires occasional and limited bending, twisting, kneeling, and reaching.
• Required to talk to or hear staff, clients, and/or others.
• Physical ability to perform CPR.
• Required to train professional staff through verbal and visual presentations.
• 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

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, community, rehabilitation, or pastoral counseling, family therapy, or other behavioral health area that requires equivalent clinical course work
• Possess a valid Driver License
• Good MVR acceptable to automobile insurance carrier for inclusion on agency policy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• None

This job description does not represent an employment contract. The job is “at will”. Nothing in this job description restricts the supervisor or company’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.