Licensed Intake Counselor

The Intake Counselor at CASA-Trinity Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC)– Licensed, is responsible for conducting comprehensive intake assessments for new clients, including both adults and children, seeking mental health and/or substance use services. This role involves gathering detailed information about the client’s mental health and substance use history, current symptoms, and treatment needs to ensure appropriate service provision. The Intake Counselor will work closely with the multidisciplinary clinical team to develop individualized treatment plans and facilitate client access to the necessary services within the CCBHC framework.

Essential Job Functions

· Performs thorough initial assessments of clients' needs, motivations, and backgrounds; prepares bio-psychosocial/assessment summaries in order to determine diagnosis, appropriate level of care and service needs.

· Utilizes standardized assessment tools and clinical interviews to evaluate client’ conditions and to make appropriate treatment recommendations.

· Conducts risk assessments and provide crisis intervention as necessary. Develops safety plans for all clients during assessment.

· Effectively manages crisis situations and conducts walk-in assessments.

· Collaborates with clients to initiate development of personalized treatment plans based on assessment findings. Establish short-term and long-term goals in collaboration with client and their families. Ensures treatment plans are tailored to clients’ specific needs and are culturally sensitive.

· Provides clients with information about available mental health and substance use services and resources.

· Ensures clients understand their treatment options and the process for accessing services within CCBHC.

· Works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary clinical team to review cases and ensure comprehensive care.

· Meets productivity requirements by utilizing various techniques to engage clients and minimize failed appointments and maintaining an acceptable case load which engages and motivates clients throughout treatment.

· Effectively utilizes agency’s medical records software program(s) to complete required medical record documentation in a timely and comprehensive manner and in compliance with NYS OASAS, OMH and CCBHC federal regulations including Public Health Law, 42CFR and patient confidentiality policies.

Secondary Functions

· Collaborate with other care providers and referral sources to increase understanding of client issues and assets.

· Participates as a contributing member of an interdisciplinary team in coordination and delivery of client care which may include the provision of Clinical support/oversight for professional development of staff.

· Participates in professional supervision and education that supports continuous improvement of client care including weekly case management staff meetings.

· Consistently reviews policies and procedures and stays well-informed of current laws, regulations and policies.

· Performs other related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

· Intermediary to advanced knowledge of mental health and substance use disorder diagnosis and their effects on the individual and family members including human behavior, attitudes, and motivations and their applicability in the treatment/rehabilitation of the individual.

· Intermediary knowledge of mental health and substance use disorder counseling and treatment principles, practices, and techniques and competent knowledge of individual and group behavior including interviewing techniques.

· Familiar with the resources available to individuals with a mental health and/or substance use diagnosis.

· Ability to recognize symptoms and history of onset and elicit information concerning underlying reasons for mental health and/or substance use disorder diagnosis

· Ability to effectively manage a caseload of mental health and/or substance use disorder clients, conduct assessments, write bio-psychosocial assessment summaries, and develop client progress reports and evaluations.

· Ability to accurately prepare and maintain documentation of services, treatment records, and reports utilizing computer databases and software programs including proficiency with spreadsheets.

· Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and the general public.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be able to:

· Use a computer including keyboard and mouse operations; visual and/or auditory capacity.

· The employee may lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

The Intake Counselor must be able to prioritize situations and manage time and may find that they are needed at irregular hours causing fatigue and stress. The Counselor may experience stress and stress related symptoms due to interacting with clients in crisis. S/he may be exposed to illness and unsanitary conditions so must take care to protect their own health. They may also have to manage physically threatening clients and be prepared to be responsible for their own safety, and the safety of others.

Work Environment

The employee is expected to adhere to strict policies/regulations relative to being in a tobacco and alcohol free workplace. Work is performed in a normal office environment.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Human Services or related field from an accredited institution. Licensed in the state of NY as a LCSW, LMSW, or LMHC, LMFT etc highly preferred. License Permit accepted (LMSW-P, LMHC-P, etc) Experienced in clinical counseling activities in a mental health and/or substance use disorder clinical setting is highly preferred. Must possess a valid driver’s license. This position is subject to a criminal background clearance.

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• SUD Counseling: 2 years (Preferred)
• Mental Health Counseling: 2 years (Preferred)
• Intake: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)
• LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, or LMSW-P, LMHC-P (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Elmira, NY 14901 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Elmira, NY 14901: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $27