Mental Health Counselor II

Colorado Department of Corrections; Colorado; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado Department of Corrections seeks a Mental Health Counselor SW/C II to provide comprehensive mental health services to inmates at Canon City and Sterling. The role includes evaluations, assessments, and clinical interventions, with careful documentation in both paper and electronic records.

Responsibilities include crisis intervention, coordination of transfers, and participation in a 24-hour on-call rotation.

Qualifications

• Must possess a current Colorado license or be a candidate in good standing for one of the following: LSW, LCSW, LPCC, LMFTC, or Addiction Counselor Candidate.
• Experience in mental health treatment within a correctional setting is preferred.
• Ability to provide professional mental health treatment to inmates and to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional mental health services to inmates, including evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in mental health records in both handwritten and electronic formats.
• Offer group, individual, and crisis interventions, and participate in the 24-hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation.
• Ensure continuity of care by facilitating referrals and information transfer to receiving units or agencies.
• Monitor inmate treatment and document progress, safety, and security considerations.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Stress management

Education

Master's degree in mental health field

Job description

CDOC Mental Health Counselor SW/C II (Canon City and Sterling)

Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides professional mental health services to inmates to include formal and informal mental health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions;
• Assures accurate Information System mental health needs levels, including Psychiatric and Developmental Disability needs level codes;
• Provides group, brief, and individual therapy, and crisis intervention to include participation in 24 hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation;
• Assures both emergency and non-emergency transfer for inmates experiencing acute mental health needs;
• Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in mental health care and treatment of inmates;
• Assures continuity of care for inmates by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies;
• Documents both handwritten and electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive inmate mental health records;
• Monitors inmate treatment and listens to inmate concerns and provides counseling and direction;
• Promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations, and sensitive item contraband control;
• Informs supervisor of any violations of safety and security through the report writing process, attends training programs as assigned, including self-defense course to ensure self protection skills.

Minimum Qualifications

• Applicant must possess a current, valid Colorado license or registered candidate as a:
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR
• Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) OR
• Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Candidate (LMFTC) OR
• Addiction Counselor Candidate (ADDC)

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation with a master's or doctoral degree in a mental health field such as counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy or psychology from a program accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT or COAMFTE) or American Psychological Association (APA).
• License eligible as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Work, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Psychologist.
• Experience providing mental health treatment in a correctional environment.
• Ability to provide professional mental health or sex inmate treatment to inmates;
• Individual must be efficient;
• Able to participate in 24 hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external agencies;
• Ability to work independently;
• Ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation;
• Must maintain required registration/permit/licensure as applicable to this assignment;
• Ability to work with a diverse population of inmates;
• Ability to provide professional mental health treatment as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language;
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.
• Self-control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations;
• Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift;
• Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high-stakes interaction.

In addition to a rewarding, meaningful career, state employment offers:

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system;
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined;
• Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans. Member Contribution Rates . Correctional Officers I-IV qualify as "Safety Officers" and are eligible for increased PERA benefits;
• Medical and dental health plans;
• Short and long term disability coverage;
• Paid life insurance;
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave;
• Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities and more;
• Visit State of Colorado Employee Benefits. for more information.
• This position is compensated on a bi-weekly pay cycle.