Mental Health Counselor (Full-Time/Part-Time)
Opportunities In: Northern Virginia
Mental Health Counselor
Position Summary:
Provide community-based, comprehensive, recovery oriented mental health support and case management services to individuals with severe mental illness
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide support to help the tenant adhere to the lease, to assist in interpersonal conflicts b/w housemates and to conduct house meetings.
- Weekly contact with each of the tenant’s case managers to update the case manager on any issues that need to be addressed.
- Develop essential therapeutic relationships that foster independence and support the change dynamic.
- Demonstrate a positive regard for consumers and their families (e.g., treatment of consumers as partners in their recovery, allow risk taking, avoid stereotyping, respect privacy, belief in the possibility of change; understanding and sensitivity to multicultural issues).
- Assess consumer strengths, needs and support systems to facilitate goal attainment.
- Develop and implement individualized service plans that draw upon clinical experience and knowledge under supervision.
- Teach skills that promote independence and normalcy in all areas of daily living including developing natural supports, independent living skills (i.e., cooking, cleaning, daily structure and organization, accessing transportation, etc.), mental and physical symptom and medication management, vocational and educational skill sets, etc.
- Counsel consumers in the following ways: teach to define problems; identify and apply problem solving skills, assist in the development of appropriate interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, provide a range of education and support to consumers, their families, and/or significant others.
- Demonstrate sound clinical skills including advanced communication skills of active listening, reflection, paraphrasing, interpreting, etc.
- Gather information about community services and resources that could be used to benefit the progress made by consumers.
- Coordinate the provision of services and referrals to assist consumers in accessing and utilizing appropriate community resources, including entitlements, legal resources, advocacy groups, educational resources, medical referrals, housing agencies, etc.
- Anticipate crisis potential in mental health consumers, perform suicide and risk assessments, actively work to de-escalate possible crisis, connect with appropriate resources to prevent crisis and hospitalizations, both psychiatric and material.
- Maintain confidentiality of consumers at all times including medical records, verbal and written communication regarding consumers.
- Demonstrate the ability to work independently in the community, while utilizing sound clinical judgment, with minimal supervision.
- Adherence to the ethical standards of Community Residences, Inc. and the State of Virginia.
- Completion of all trainings required by Community Residences, Inc. and the State of Virginia to maintain compliance with state regulations for licensure.
Community Responsibilities
- Develop positive relationships with therapists, case managers, and psychiatrists in all other referring government and non-profit agencies.
- Participate as essential member of the treatment team with regular and concise communications with team professionals such as therapists, psychologists, and other relevant parties.
- Meet with treatment team, medical doctors, vocational coaches, other service providers to exchange necessary information during service provision.
- Interact with government, community agencies and individuals to develop consumer referral base.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Complete all required documentation, including daily progress notes, individual service plans, annual service plans, discharge summaries, incident reports, and reports for other agencies as necessary.
- Follow all regulatory requirements, policies and procedures of the agency.
- Assume administrative responsibilities as assigned by director or program manager.
Team Responsibilities
- Attend all staff and individual supervision meetings.
- Participate in case presentations by formulating and presenting difficult case scenarios, provide feedback and solutions beneficial to increase success.
- Mentor and support staff to develop professional skills and resources
Minimum Qualifications Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service field.
- 1 year of clinical experience in the field of mental health.
- Valid driver’s license with a good driving record.
Additional Required Knowledge:
- Knowledge of the nature and treatment of serious mental illness.
- Knowledge of treatment modalities and intervention techniques such as behavior management, independent living skills training, supportive counseling, family education, crisis intervention, discharge planning and service coordination.
- Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- Knowledge of principles, methods, for rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions.
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Knowledge of, and sensitivity to, multicultural values and beliefs of consumers.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Social Perceptiveness – Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions and approaches to problem.
- Active Learning – Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision making.
- Learning Strategies – Selecting and using training-instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new skill.
- Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Other Required Abilities:
- Communication with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates – Provide information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail or in person.
- Assisting and Caring for Others – Provide personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others.
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others – Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships – Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintaining them over time.
Location: Arlington, VA
Schedule:
*CR offers company-paid benefits including health insurance options, 403(b) retirement fund with employer contribution/ matching, and life insurance for employees who are benefits-eligible!