Mental Health Counselor- Curry County

About the Role

Provide comprehensive mental health assessment and treatment in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members in the development, review, and monitoring of individualized behavioral/mental health treatment plans.
• Complete behavioral/mental health assessments for patients referred based on admission, staff referral, or patient self-referral, ensuring timely completion per referral urgency.
• Provide regular follow-up to assigned patients to monitor mental status and functioning, and inform supervisors/psychiatric staff of significant changes.
• Deliver crisis interventions, including precautionary measures, daily follow-up, and emergency procedures as needed.
• Conduct individual and group counseling, as well as psychoeducational groups, to assist patients in defining and achieving personal, social, educational, and vocational goals.
• Observe patients to detect psychiatric symptoms, mental deficiency, abnormal behavior, or maladjustment.
• Maintain accurate, legible, and up-to-date patient records in accordance with policy.
• Coordinate patient discharge or transfer, informing and advising all applicable parties; may act as a liaison with community agencies.
• Administer, interpret, and report on psychological test data as permitted by testing standards or under supervision.
• Provide clinical supervisory oversight for non-psychiatric behavioral/mental health staff as requested.
• Provide on-call mental health services if assigned.
• Conduct in-service training on behavioral/mental health topics for company and community agencies.
• Maintain professional boundaries to preserve the integrity of the therapeutic process.
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including peer/record reviews and committee membership, and modify clinical practices based on recommendations.
• Acquire and maintain current clinical knowledge, skills, and professional standards.
• Ensure compliance with agency/company policies, federal/state laws, regulations, and guidelines, including HIPAA.
• Maintain confidentiality and deliver care in a nonjudgmental, nondiscriminatory manner to protect patient autonomy, dignity, and rights.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including reporting to work during emergencies as an "essential" employee.

Core Competencies

• Problem Solving: Collaboratively resolves problems, presents solutions, and takes responsibility for finding answers.
• Team Building: Works well with others, fosters a cohesive environment, shares knowledge, and respects diversity.
• Communication: Expresses opinions clearly and articulately in written and verbal form; listens actively.
• Documentation: Ensures medical records and documentation are accurate, thorough, and timely.
• Effective Time Management: Organizes and prioritizes work, plans meetings, and multitasks effectively.
• Attentive to Detail: Provides accurate, consistent work and minimizes miscommunications.
• Accountability: Follows through on commitments, takes responsibility for mistakes, and communicates progress.
• Stress Tolerance: Handles stressful/adverse situations effectively, remains calm in emergencies, and stays focused despite distractions.
• Safety Consciousness: Maintains awareness of and minimizes safety risks in the environment.

Requirements

• Degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Active professional license to practice in the applicable state.
• Current tuberculosis documentation and active CPR certification.
• Ability to pass a background investigation and obtain agency security clearance where applicable.
• Minimum of two years of direct care experience with individuals with mental illness.

Physical Requirements

• Must possess general good health and sufficient stamina, agility, and sensory abilities (visual/auditory) to perform all duties.
• Physical activities include walking, climbing, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, carrying, and repetitive mental tasks (e.g., checking reports).
• Must respond quickly to emergencies within scope of practice.
• May work throughout large facilities or travel between multiple sites.
• Potential exposure to hazardous materials, including bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, and physical injury from patients.
• Must identify and minimize safety risks in the environment.