Behavioral Health Counselor (Weslaco,TX)

Essential Duties:

Clinical and Outreach

• Promotes interactive communication with all Methodist Healthcare Ministries programs, the community, church, and other community agencies. Develops and refines linkages between Methodist Healthcare Ministries programs and community health care facilities, social service providers, schools, Wesley Nurses and other agencies.
• Travel to assigned communities for community development and outreach. Additional travel for organizational and departmental training.
• Responsible for provision of counseling services at multiple site(s).
• Determines eligibility and matches income with sliding fee scale, informing the client concerning fee amounts for subsequent sessions.
• Develops and maintains a cumulative record for each client receiving counseling services as required by professional licensure standards and Methodist Healthcare Ministries policies and procedures.
• Develops intervention strategies to meet client short-term and long-term treatment goals.
• Applies specialized clinical knowledge and advanced clinical skills in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, development of individualized plan of care and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in uninsured population.
• Uses various evidence-based treatment methods for the provision of individual, marital and couples counseling, psychotherapy, family and group therapy and psycho-social groups.
• Uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), and other diagnostic classification systems in assessment, diagnosis and other activities.
• Makes appropriate referrals for case management services through Wesley Nurse and other appropriate agencies and conducts follow up to ensure service delivery.
• Participates in activities to develop and maintain quality assurance indicators that evaluate the effectiveness of the counseling program.
• Assists in the planning, coordinating and implementing of projects and programs to include but not limited to identifying needs, researching, and managing caseloads.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with individuals and families referred for counseling.
Developing and facilitating clinical groups, presentations, and workshops to support mental health access and skills.

Administrative

• Responsible for day-to-day operation of counseling caseload, case flow, assessments and crisis interventions.
• Makes appropriate referrals for case management services through Wesley Nurse and other appropriate agencies and conducts follow up to ensure service delivery.
• Analyzes program data and produces reports.
• Uses data to assist in improved planning, development and effective use of Community Counseling Services.
• Implements organization’s policies and procedures and recommends any needed modifications.
• Maintains administrative aspects of the counseling program to include management of supplies, office space, security of records, collection of fees, deposit of funds and management of counseling space at remote site or church/community site(s).
• Participates in community events during business work week, weekends and evenings as needed. Also, may have shifts to schedule to accommodate patient/client care.
• Maintain an active LPC, LMFT, or LCSW as designated by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, completing all required continuing education, following all statues and rules required by the license.
• Sustain productivity standards as set by the Behavioral Health Department.
Performs other duties as assigned.

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.

Education/Experience :

Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW or MSSW), Counseling, or related degree plan for LPC/LMFT; and two years preferred, one year required clinical experience providing psychotherapy, counseling, and case management assistance required.

Language Ability :

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents such as professional journals, operating manuals, maintenance instructions, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to read, analyze and interpret medical documents. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Bilingual in English and Spanish required.

Reasoning Ability :

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to perform independently.

Certificates and Licenses :

Candidate must hold a Texas BHEC issued license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor (LMFT) or Licensed Psychologist required or be eligible through reciprocity for the same licensure in Texas.

Computer Skills :

Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of the Internet, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel and electronic health records software. Able to document efficiently in electronic health record.

Other:

Ability to drive and have access to a car, maintain a valid driver’s license and auto liability insurance.

Frequent in-town travel required. Periodic regional travel required.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing 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 team member is exposed to an office and residential environment having direct contact with patients and clients. Position necessitates bending, stooping, reaching, kneeling and crouching, sitting, standing and walking for periods of time. Must be able to lift and maneuver 25 pounds. Maybe required to work special events evenings and/or weekends.