Senior Behavioral Health Counselor

Definition

Under general supervision of a BHS Program Manager, provides counseling and treatment to clients in a substance abuse and/or general mental health treatment program. May work with both adult and child clients however will primarily serve a specific age population at the discretion of the Department. This job class is treated as FLSA Exempt.

Essential Functions : Essential functions may vary among positions and may include the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in this classification.

Examples of Tasks

1. Conducts client intake, assessment, evaluation and testing to provide diagnosis.

• Writes treatment plans and progress notes for initial assessment, update reports and aftercare reporting.
• Designs, implements and provides treatment and aftercare programs for clients as well as family counseling.
• Attends court-ordered hearings regarding clients and their programs.

2. Performs individual, group and family counseling for court-ordered, incarcerated and referred individual clients and families.

• Attends weekly multi-disciplinary case staffing meetings to present case summaries, discharge and transfer information.
• Conducts home visits, school site visits and visits to incarceration sites.

3. Serves as a liaison between the service program and treatment centers.

• Actively participates in staffing during client treatment.
• Develops referral resources including, but not limited to, inpatient hospitalization, residential treatment and other services as appropriate.
• Coordinates client needs with other resource programs, agencies and organizations.

4. Attends on-going training to apply for, and retain, professional licensure and/or other counselor related certifications.

• May participate in staff in-service training to improve personal skill set.
• Creates and distributes information to SRPMIC regarding available therapeutic resources.

5. Participates in prevention and early intervention Community awareness events.

6. Provides monthly statistics on client data for monthly and quarterly program reports and other required program data in a proficient manner.

7. Maintains counseling records and writes summaries and reports. Maintains compliance with Program, Division and Department procedures.

8. Performs other job related duties as assigned by the BHS Program Manager, Behavioral Health Division Director, HHS Administration or other approved designee.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:

• Knowledge of methods and techniques of diagnosis and treatment in a behavioral health program.
• Knowledge of general policies, procedures and standards followed in substance abuse and general mental health treatment programs.
• Knowledge of substance abuse, chemical dependency and mental health disease process.
• Knowledge of resources within and outside the Community that may be utilized in the program.
• Knowledge of history and culture of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, tribal laws, rules, customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of SRPMIC DHHS, IHS and other appropriate data systems for client data collection.
• Knowledge of laws and court procedures relating to or applicable to alcohol and substance dependency treatment or other general mental health programs.

• Skill in work management including maintaining confidentiality and managing a heavy caseload.
• Skill evaluating client needs and utilizing programs and SRPMIC resources to meet client needs.
• Skill providing counseling and therapy to individuals, group and families.
• Skill establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with resource agencies, SRPMIC officials, court and legal system members, staff, clients and Community Members.
• Skill maintaining a professional clinical relationship with clients and families.
• Skill maintaining accurate records and preparing appropriate reports.
• Skill writing for publication including pamphlets, bulletins, public relations items, reports, educational and informational materials.
• Skill utilizing the personal computer including MS Office and statistical data reporting software.
• Skill utilizing basic chemical dependency or mental health assessment/testing instruments
• Skill maintaining client records including progress notes, case staffing summaries, discharge summaries and other appropriate paperwork.
• Skill with program planning, development, implementation and evaluation.

• Ability to organize multiple projects, priorities and to oversee targeted completion.
• Ability to use normal tools of the profession including, but not limited to, court orders, Chemical Dependency Assessment Reports, mental health screening tools and psychiatric/psychological evaluations.
• Ability to promote program objectives, develop measurable outcomes and provide services in accordance with program objectives.
• Ability to recognize and develop specialized responses to client's alcohol, substance abuse and mental health needs.
• Ability to work with a variety of populations and clinical disorders.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Psychology, Social Work or closely related area.

Experience: At least one (1) year of direct counseling experience.

Licensures: Has obtained at least one (1) of the following licenses to practice in Arizona.

Associate Counselor (LAC) or Professional Counselor (LPC);

Associate Marriage and Family Counselor (LAMFT) or Marriage and Family Counselor (LMFT);

Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or;

Associate Substance Abuse Counselor (LASAC) or Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC).

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position, will be considered.

Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.

Special Requirements

• May be required to work beyond normal work hours including nights, weekends and holidays. May be required to travel.
  
• Due to the confidential nature of the job, are required to pass an extensive background fingerprint clearance, drug testing and SRPMIC credentialing.
• Employees in, and applicants applying for, jobs providing direct services to children are subject to the "Community Code of Ordinances", Chapter 11, "Minors", Article X. "Investigation of Persons Working With Children".
• Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver's License
  

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified : Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods:

1) attach to application

2) fax (480) 362-5860

3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date.

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted .

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.