Mental Health Counselor

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Maintains and provides services to MAACs men and womens recovery homes.
• Facilitates individual and group counseling sessions.
• Reviews ASAM Screening and Addiction Severity Index (ASI), with AOD Counselor, evaluates clients and prioritize severity of problems/issues initially and on an ongoing basis.
• Determines clinical necessity of counseling services based on the clinical assessment and evaluation of the clients.
• Serves as a resource on medication management issues.
• Participates in supervision, team meetings and assists in program planning sessions.
• Participates in case consultation with the treatment team and refers clients to more intensive mental health services as needed.
• Participates in trainings, exhibit competency and utilize evidence-based & promising practices, as deemed appropriate.
• Participates in Quality Assurance activities.
• Maintains proper documentation as required by DHCS, Medi-Cal, the United States Court System, and San Diego County.
• Attends trainings required to meet Medi-cal standards to include: ASAM trainings, Motivational Interviewing, Evidence-Based Practice.
• Other duties as required.

• Advanced counseling skills which includes the ability to conduct individual interviews and group discussions.
• Demonstrated ability to assess individual alcohol/drug dependency problems and develop treatment goals/objectives.
• Highly developed case management skills particularly in the area of recording participant progress in case records or other documents as may be required by state, county, or judicial system.
• Oral communication skills to work effectively with program participants, program staff, diverse government agency representatives and community groups.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the recovery philosophy and steps associated with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the principles of case management in a social model, outpatient treatment setting.
• Demonstrated written and verbal proficiency in English and Spanish language a plus.

• Master's Degree and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or licensed-eligible practitioners working under the supervision of a licensed clinician.
• Bilingual (English & Spanish) preferred.
• First Aid and CPR training and certification must be obtained upon 30 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.

VALUE-BASED BEHAVIORS

Listens attentively to others. Asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other persons views and underlying assumptions
Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with co-workers
Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for personal and professional development
Attends work consistently and punctually. Arrives to meetings prepared and on time; honors work commitments; follows through on what was agreed upon; meets deadlines
Honors the private and confidential matters of co-workers. Protects the proprietary information of MAAC systems
Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes
Deals with issues directly, in a respectful and timely manner. Focuses on resolving the issue while not criticizing the person. Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes

HEALTH STATUS

Must have a physical examination, TB clearance and a drug screen by a doctor/clinic designated by MAAC as well as immunization records for influenza*, pertussis and measles as required by state and federal regulations prior to the first day of employment.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit, talk or hear both in person and by telephone, uses hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls, reach with hands and arms. An employee also is regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl, climb or balance and lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations; use basic math; learn and apply new information or skills; work under intensive deadlines and interact with MAAC management, administrators, staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered in the course of work.

BACKGROUND CLEARANCE

All positions are subject to a background/education check, DMV check, NSOR, exclusion and debarment checks prior to hire and periodically throughout employment as required by various funding sources.

Note: California Start law requires background criminal checks on anyone who works in a licensed childcare facility who is not a client. Must have or obtain a current criminal background check clearance, signed criminal record statement, and signed Acknowledgement to Report Child Abuse form prior to the first day of employment.

TRANSPORTATION

Must have and maintain a valid California Drivers License, daily use of a personal, insured vehicle, and have and maintain a motor vehicle driving record acceptable to MAACs insurance carrier. Incumbents will be enrolled in the California DMV Pull Program.