Mental Health Counselor

POSITION TITLE: Mental Health Counselor (IICAPS)

PROGRAM: Intensive Home-Based Therapy program (IHBT) 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Mental Health Counselor is responsible for direct services with children, adolescents and their families in the Intensive Home-Based Therapy program. She/he works primarily in the home of client families assisting with the implementation of the service plan. The majority of hours worked are in the late afternoon and evenings. There may be some weekend hours worked based on family/client’s needs. Key roles of the Mental Health Counselor is behavior management, family guidance, behavioral training, parent education, individual counseling to children and adolescents, crisis management, family support and case management. She/he maintains confidential records and collaborates with other professionals and team members. He/she carries a pager during assigned periods and responds to all calls for assistance either by telephone or in person (as clinically indicated and authorized by supervisor).

SUPERVISION:        Supervised by: Director of Home-Based Treatment Services (or designee)

                                    Supervises: N/A

EXAMPLES OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To provide direct service with children, adolescents, and their families as a part of the IHBT team.  These services take place primarily in the home of clients and may include comprehensive evaluation, case management, individual or family counseling, and crisis intervention as needed.  
2. To assist in the development and implementation of crisis (stabilization) plans.
3. To provide required support services including but not limited to translation, advocacy and linkage to other needed services.
4. To maintain a flexible schedule and work hours as based on family/client need.
5. To provide parent guidance and education.
6. To assist families with behavior management and perform family training in behavior management.
7. To provide family support, case management and individual counseling, as needed in a variety of settings including but not limited to, client homes, agency sites, schools, emergency rooms, shelters, police stations, etc. The majority of treatment services will take place primarily in the late afternoon and evenings, and occasionally weekends.
8. To be available during overnights, holidays and weekends (after-hours) by pager at assigned periods of time.
9. To participate in crisis and emergency management (in-home, community, emergency room, school-based, other) both phone and face to face.  Such response will generally be as part of a team response.
10. Maintain contact and provide follow-up with families requiring this service.  This will include daily home visits and home based therapies. Maintain a level of productivity as determined by the Program Coordinator and assigned by the program supervisor.
11. To work collaboratively as a member of a team with other professionals and concerned parties involved in cases, this may include but not be limited to Child Specific Team meetings, school conferences, and DCF conference planning.
12. To engage families in creative and productive service negotiation and planning.
13. To facilitate the greatest possible level of family involvement in all facets of program service delivery and decision making.
14. Maintain confidential and/or any other required program documents.
15. To assist in the organization, planning and implementation of the program.
16. Actively participate in trainings and staff meetings.
17. Actively participate in supervision.
18. Other such duties as assigned by the Supervisor.   

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have the ability to maintain the utmost confidentiality of both agency and client matters. Must understand and be able to display the clinical knowledge and expertise necessary to perform crisis intervention. Must be able to display knowledge and expertise as it relates to the population served by Wellmore, Inc.  Must be capable of working as a part of a team and be able to effectively communicate with both families and professionals (in writing and verbally).   Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that meets the needs of assigned families. Must be able to display at least an understanding of the diverse cultural communities prominent in greater Waterbury. Working knowledge of the greater Waterbury area is a must!

Bi-lingual (Spanish-English) may be required.   

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Candidates should preferably possess a college degree (BA, BS or BSW) in a human service field (e.g., social work, child development, or psychology, etc.).  Individuals with a degree in an unrelated field or without a college degree may be considered if they have at least 2 years’ experience in human services.

Candidates must have the skills necessary to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of the families to be served.  Two years’ experience working with children, families or providing crisis intervention is preferred.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and valid auto insurance is required; CPR and first-aid.