Mental Health Clinician, HVIP
Report to: Director of Youth & Mental Health Services
SUMMARY
The Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB) is a comprehensive human services organization based in Middlesex County, New Jersey. We are the primary institution that provides diverse bilingual/multicultural services to the entire Central New Jersey community. Each year, we serve approximately 25,000 people in the region. Our mission is to equip diverse individuals and families in Central New Jersey to achieve personal, family, and community development. Through our innovative early childhood, youth, family, and community programs, individuals and families access the tools and resources they need to grow into productive, self-sufficient people.
In partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, the Hospital Violence Intervention Program (HVIP) is a comprehensive case management and evidence-based trauma-informed mental health counseling/ services for patients who are injured victims of community violence. HVIP aims to improve patient’s outcome and reduce future victimization through comprehensive counseling and evidence–based mental health services and linkages between services for crime victims.
Reporting to the Director of Youth and Mental Health Services, the HVIP Mental Health Clinician is an LCSW/LPC, who adheres to the NASW clinical and ethical guidelines. S/he is responsible for providing counseling and mental health services for victims of violence and their families as needed for both individual and group settings. S/he maintains bi-weekly meetings and ongoing collaboration with the HVIP case management team regarding patient treatment plans and needs. S/he provides clinical supervision to the program counselors and monitors patients’ assessments and treatment goals developed by the program counselors in conjunction with program participants. S/he provides workshops for HVIP staff including but not limited to psychoeducation, trauma informed practice and evidence-based practice guidance in providing services to victims of violence. S/he ensures that all treatment goals and sessions are reflective of evidence-based practices and patient self-determination. S/he maintains electronic, physical records and provide monthly reports as per PRAB & HVIP guidelines.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide a biopsychosocial evaluation for new patients
- Assess/intake and develop individualized treatment plans for individuals in conjunction with the individual/program participant that address their behavioral, emotional, mental, and social needs
- Provide individual and group counseling to crime victims and may provide services to the family as well only to the extent it benefits the program participant
- Provide evidence-based trauma-informed counseling and mental health services, seeking creative ways to engage and retain program participants with an emphasis on empowering and supporting the participants
- Plan, organize and coordinate group work and preventive health workshops
- Connect with referring RWJUH HVIP team to facilitate the referral process, including receiving victim’s case summary and other pertinent information bi-weekly and as needed
- Maintain files and documentation fully following HVIP policies and accepted clinical practices
- Develop and offer training sessions for the HVIP Intervention Specialists/RWJ HVIP frontline staff, in conjunction with the RWJ/HVIP Social worker/HVIP Team to assist with solidifying working relationships, teamwork, and collective understanding during early stages of implementation and as needed models
- Coordinate and lead monthly psycho-education groups on the effects of trauma on victims and their families, including grief counseling if needed (for all tiers). Groups may be in-person or virtual, pending the pandemic safety recommendations
- Adhere to the procedures provided by RWJUH/PRAB for monthly reports to document staff time, program expenses and invoices according to federal grant guidelines and mandates
- Collaborate with the RWJ HVIP team and be an integral part of the HVIP Community Consortium.
- Utilize HVIP program software to document program participant interactions, progress note reports, documenting benchmarks as per client treatment plan, including collecting demographic information according to reporting requirements and data-sharing agreement
- Produce reports reflecting any other program activities
- Assist with other projects and activities as needed, report to the director of youth & mental health services, and participate in scheduled supervision sessions provided by the director
- Provide weekly clinical supervision for program counselors
- Work to implement appropriate and consistent screening, provide case assessment to monitor treatment plans for progress, service change, and termination as deemed to be appropriate for patients
- Provide post-screening and follow-up care
GENERAL
- Represent PRAB & HVIP in external meetings and events, and engage community and program participants
- Conduct, attend, and participate in internal meetings to maintain and improve professional competence
- Attend external workshops and in-service training provided by funders, etc.
- Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports (both internal and external)
- Perform other duties as assigned
