COGNITIVE COUNSELOR- MALONE, FL

About Us

Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national non-profit dedicated to helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. Established in 1968, Gateway provides essential tools and knowledge for recovery, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. Operating through its Community Services, Corrections Divisions, and Corporate Headquarters, the organization is recognized for innovative, effective treatment approaches and maintaining high standards.

Consider joining our team, where your impact can be truly meaningful. Our organization focuses on delivering high-quality clinical services as a recognized leader in evidence-based treatment proven to get results. By joining our team, you'll have the chance to provide essential services to underserved populations, all while working for an organization that values you and aims to be an employer of choice. You can expect to be part of a vibrant culture that emphasizes teamwork and professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Prepare appropriate cognitive intervention plans, in accordance with established standards and deadlines.
• Prepare and conduct group educational sessions with clients in accordance with intervention programming plan; facilitate discussion and interaction; and enable group members to understand and accept responsibility for the process of change, and acquire necessary coping and behavior management skills.
• Document cognitive intervention program plans, evaluations, weekly progress notes, and discharge summaries.
• Update and maintain client records, including recording direct service hours, activity or group participation, ensuring they are complete and accurate in accordance with organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual standards.
• Prepare and conduct educational programs and lectures on scheduled topics related to thinking for change, cognitive intervention, life skills, problem-solving, behavior modification, and anger management to assist clients with basic education on these topics.
• Develop client discharge plans.
• Contribute to client care monitoring by regularly reporting to supervisor client observations, incidents, unusual occurrences, and caseload activities and results.
• Participate in staff meetings to review client progress, intervention programming, and recommend continuation or modification of programming.
• Assist team in maintaining a consistent setting for the program, planning, and coordinating client interaction events.
• Maintain regular communications with onsite parole officers to relay reports on clients’ progress in cognitive programming.
• Prepare written reports and correspondence.
• Provide effective support, intervention, direction, and conflict resolution; interact effectively with family members; and maintain effective contacts with outside agencies and referral sources or services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, or psychology. Master’s degree preferred.
• 2 years related experience; 5+ years preferred.
• Experience in a forensic counseling setting preferred.
• Strong knowledge of group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution, and intervention techniques based on client maturation level.
• Strong knowledge of word processing software to complete required forms, reports, and correspondence.
• Strong communication skills to provide support, intervention, direction, and conflict resolution; interact effectively with family members; and maintain effective contacts with outside agencies and referral sources or services.
• Basic analytical skills to prepare cognitive intervention plans, complete progress evaluations, and related reports.
• Active listening skills and social perceptiveness.
• Ability to read and interpret policies and instructions.
• Ability to understand side effects and impact of medications on clients.
• Adaptability/flexibility: ability to shift priorities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to read, write, and understand and follow written instructions.
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data.
• Ability to record, proofread, and check documents and files for accuracy.
• Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises.
• Ability to walk and move about the facilities for up to two hours at a time, to monitor and interact with clients.

Pay

Range begins at $27.34 per hour. Gateway Foundation conducts annual reviews including merit increases.

Schedule

Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 6 AM - 2:30 PM.

Benefits

Health and Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums.
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health.

Financial Wellbeing

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match.
• Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Gateway.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Flexibility and Time Off

• 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service.
• 9 paid company holidays.
• Work-life balance.

Personal Development

• Training & Development Programs.
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year.
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEUs and job-related training.
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance.