Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Responsibilities

• Collaborating with medical, mental health and correctional staff to enhance quality patient care while maintaining a safe and secure work environment
• Performing and documenting mental health evaluations, progress notes, individual and group counseling notes, individual treatment plans, addressing criminogenic needs and promoting positive behavioral change to prepare residents for release
• Participating in educational and training activities related to mental health care for patients, security personnel, and healthcare staff
• Demonstrating knowledge of DSM-V / DSM-V-TR criteria
• Documenting and managing case files, patient progress, preparing reports, and participating in hearings
• Initiating and/or participating in patient education and treatment programs, such as developing educational materials and providing group therapy
• Monitoring compliance with site-specific and company policies and procedures, taking appropriate corrective action, and ensuring compliance with ACA, NCCHC standards

Qualifications

• Master's prepared Mental Health Professional with active, unrestricted licensure as a (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT, LMHP, LISW, etc.) in AL
• Must possess an active BLS CPR Certification (American Heart Association preferred)
• Must pass the facility’s criminal background check and drug screening
• A minimum of 3 years’ clinical experience in a mental health care or acute care setting, with correctional healthcare experience preferred
• Knowledge and experience in the identification and treatment of mental health and co-occurring substance abuse disorders, discharge planning, principles of social work, basic principles of individual and group behavior, and a working knowledge of psychotropic medications
• Correctional counselors must be able to remain calm under pressure while assessing patients’ situations, underlying causes of their behavior, and be able to develop interventions and treatment plans
• Effective communications skills are required for building patient rapport and relaying information and treatment plan with other medical and mental health care professionals
• Strong organizational skills are needed to keep track of patient treatment plans and progress notes
• The ability to maintain confidentiality of all proprietary and/or confidential information and integrity, professionalism and ability to adhere to a Code of Conduct and comply with all facility(s) correctional healthcare policies, procedures, and legal requirements
• Must pass the facility’s criminal background check and drug screening