Mental Health Counselor LI, Correctional Health Services

About the role

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation, comprising 11 hospitals, trauma centers, neighborhood health centers, nursing homes, post‑acute care centers, and correctional health services. It also operates a home care agency and the health plan MetroPlus. The system serves 1.4 million New Yorkers annually across more than 70 locations in the five boroughs and employs over 42,000 staff dedicated to empowering New Yorkers. NYC Health + Hospitals/Correctional Health Services is a leading correctional health care system, providing medical, nursing, mental health, substance‑use treatment, social work, dental, vision care, discharge planning, and reentry support to incarcerated individuals from pre‑arraignment through compassionate release. CHS leverages the resources of the nation’s largest municipal health care system to help discharged patients return to their communities and is a pivotal partner in New York City’s criminal justice reform efforts.

Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Clinical Supervisor and the Mental Health Unit Chief on Rikers Island, the MHC will provide quality mental health care to incarcerated individuals who need and/or want services.
• This position is responsible for providing assessment and counseling services to inmates.
• Conducts mental health evaluations, crisis intervention, assessments, and follow‑up care.
• Determines and coordinates disposition of patients for appropriate level of mental health care.
• Coordinates with Reentry Social Workers for appropriate discharge planning services.
• Completes required statistical reports.
• Collaborates with the Department of Correction to ensure access to patients, proper housing, and treatment disposition.
• Coordinates patient care with other institutional programs.
• Leads group treatment on mental health observation units and other units as assigned.
• Completes all required documentation.
• Participates in clinical supervision with Clinical Supervisor at least once a week.
• Participates in mental health and medical rounds as assigned.
• Participates in case conferences and treatment planning for patients receiving and being considered for mental health treatment.
• May conduct psychological testing as assigned.
• May supervise social work interns or student volunteers as assigned.

Qualifications

• Assignment Level I: Valid license and current registration or valid limited permit to practice as a Mental Health Counselor issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
• Experience conducting both assessment and treatment with individuals with behavioral problems, substance use histories, and severe mental illness.
• Experience with inpatient or related experience.