Mental Health Counselor

Job Title: Mental Health Counselor
Department: Health Services
Reports to: Health Services Director, Kay Culbertson
FLSA Status: Non- Exempt
TS Range: 10/11 ($66,500 to $86,380)
Time Status: Full-time
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

SUMMARY: This is a full time therapy position with Squaxin Island Health and Human Services located on the Squaxin Island Reservation in Shelton, WA. This position provides mental health services and support to persons of all ages through individual, group and family counseling. Services are to be provided to patients with a wide variety of mental health problems including depression, suicide attempts, bereavement, psychotic episodes, family conflicts, and trauma resulting from violence or abuses of an emotional, physical, or sexual nature. Work hours may vary dependent on client need.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
? Provides diagnostic treatment, referral, crisis intervention, and consultation services for patients.
? Conducts individual, marital, family, and group psychotherapies for children, adolescents, and adults.
? Participates in scheduled case conferences.
? Conducts home visits for patient care.
? Participates in committee, departmental, and team meetings.
? Provides consultation to school staff, IHS staff, and other partners to assist patients in resolving medical, social, familial, and emotional problems as needed.
? Participates in and/or initiates educational, preventive, or advocacy efforts in the community.
? Provides culturally appropriate and respectful counseling to Native American and community members seeking help.
? Implements, maintains and coordinates case management for patients per program standards and policies.
? Provides assessments for depression, anxiety panic and other mental health disorders.
? Facilitates referrals to appropriate professional caregivers or agencies.
? Coordinates inter-agency and inter-departmental patient management
? Provides or coordinates case management for patients on medication.
? Maintains accurate and timely documentation in patient files, per agency accreditation standards and billing requirements.
? Maintains confidentiality of client and family information, issues, and case plans.
? Completes notes within 24 hours of visit.
? Arranges and participates in family conferences as appropriate for patient treatment.
? Provides education to the community through newsletter articles, and departmental workshops.
? Teaches self-care and wellness to patients.
? Works as part of a team within the Health and Human Services department program toward implementation of the treatment plan.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position has no supervisory responsibilities

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The successful candidate must also be able to gather and analyze information skillfully and use reason even when dealing with emotional topics; focus on solving conflict, rather than blaming, maintain confidentiality, keep emotions under control, and remain open to others’ ideas and try new things; treat people with respect, work with integrity and ethically uphold organizational values; display original thinking and creativity, meet challenges with resourcefulness, develop innovative approaches and ideas and present ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention. Approach others in a tactful manner, react well under pressure, treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy or social work. Must have a minimum of two years of post-graduate experience working with individuals and families. Experience working therapeutically with children is required.
Required: Must possess a valid state license as LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, MAC, LPC or other equivalent license from any State located in the U.S.
Experience working with Native American communities is preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conforms to a prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry or trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must be a Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Social Worker, or Marriage and Family Counselor with a minimum of two years of post-graduate experience working with individuals and families. Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License and be insurable under the Tribe’s plan. Must successfully pass a background check.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear; the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision and peripheral vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

CONFIDENTIALITY: Must maintain the utmost strict confidentiality in all work, cases and files pertaining to projects and activities of this position. Any violation of this matter will result in termination of employment.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE: The successful candidate will be required to have a urinalysis for drug and alcohol screening in accordance with the Tribe’s Drug Free Workplace Policy.

INDIAN PREFERENCE: Indian Preference will be exercised in the hiring of this position in accordance with the Tribe’s Personnel Policies.