Mental Health Counselor - UT Southern

About the role

This position provides licensed counseling services to students, staff, and faculty through individual, group, and crisis counseling/intervention, in support of the health and wellness of the campus community. The role assesses for risk of self-harm, harm to others, diminished capacity, and risk to the campus community, and coordinates care and referrals as needed. Additionally, the position collaborates with CARE Team members and other campus partners, provides consultation to faculty and staff, and conducts outreach and mental health education programming across campus. The position requires maintaining appropriate licensure, certifications, and continuing education to sustain a current knowledge base of best practices in the field.

Responsibilities

• Counseling Services: Provide short-term, solution-focused individual and group counseling to students, staff, and faculty; demonstrate interpersonal communication and rapport building; conduct and interpret mental health assessments; assess individuals for mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs; develop treatment plans and manage crisis in accordance with assessment needs; coordinate referrals for clients with significant mental health issues or needing long-term support to local community resources, ensuring service efficacy; make appropriate referrals to campus resources and services to promote student's academic success; schedule patient flow to clinic based on predetermined appointment arrangements; document client and treatment interventions using Titanium software in accordance with ACA Code of Ethics.
• Clinic Administration: Schedule patient flow to the clinic; document client care services by charting in patient and department records; participate in search committees and staff hiring as needed; participate in performance improvement activities; assist with program evaluation/assessment; assist with other office duties as indicated.
• Outreach/Education: In collaboration with the Wellness Director, plan and implement preventative and educational programs related to mental health; disseminate information about external programs and services; engage campus and community providers/organizations to enrich the educational environment and experiences of students; participate in campus outreach across campus life, including student orientations, resource/involvement fairs, and residence hall programming.
• Crisis Assessment/Support: Conduct suicidal/homicidal and diminished capacity assessments and referrals for students, staff, and faculty; provide crisis consultation, intervention, and counseling support for individuals experiencing mental or emotional distress, including anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, and suicidal ideation. Collaborate in developing Suicide Prevention Plan protocols with the Student Experience Team. Serve as a core member of the UT Southern CARE (Coordination, Assessment, Response, and Education) Team, participating in case review meetings, responding to CARE on Call and Suicide Prevention Plan protocols, and collaborating with Student Life, Student Conduct, Residential Life, Safety & Security, and Athletics on case management, early-intervention strategies, and follow-up to prevent escalation to crisis or threat.

Requirements

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.
• Master’s Degree in a clinical mental health discipline or a related field.
• Licensed, or eligible for licensure, as a mental health care provider by the State of Tennessee.
• Minimum of one year of post-master's degree experience as a licensed clinician, preferably in a university or college counseling environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of the developmental counseling model.
• Demonstrated experience working with a multidisciplinary team and collaborating with other professionals (e.g., Student Affairs, Residential Life, healthcare providers) to support clients.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse client populations.
• Proficiency with Electronic Medical Records and basic computer skills.
• Knowledge of confidentiality/privacy policies and FERPA regulations.
• Clinical skills necessary to provide client care.
• Knowledge of safety/emergency procedures, crisis prevention and response, and identification of threatening conduct.
• Knowledge of gender, sexual orientation, racial, cultural, religious/spiritual, and ethnic sensitivity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of the mental health concerns of university students, student development theory, and university or college counseling best practices on a residential college campus.
• Prior clinical experience in a university-based health and counseling setting.

Schedule

This is a fully onsite position located on our campus.