GENERAL SUMMARY

Mental Health Counselor Associate plays a critical role in providing comprehensive behavioral health services to individuals and families in the Nisqually Community. The professional will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including medical professionals, traditional healing, behavioral health professionals, peers, and community partners to ensure integrated care and holistic support for clients.

This position ensures the confidentiality, security, and accuracy of records, and promotes positive employee, customer, and community relations. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required and outstanding customer service to fellow employees, customers, vendors, etc. is expected. Regular attendance is required, and on occasion, later hours or weekend time may be required with project deadlines and a neat well-groomed professional appearance is essential at all times.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibilities are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform. This list of responsibilities is intended to be representative of the duties performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed if such duties relate to the position.

• Provides direct mental health counseling and case management services to youth and adult patients. Which consists of individual, group, family, and educational sessions. As well as prevention, intervention, and crisis response.
• Complete bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual diagnostic assessments, intakes, evaluations, and screenings to meet the needs and goals of clients.
• Develop individualized treatment plans, treatment plan reviews and discharge summaries based on intake evaluation, assessments, and self-identified treatment goals.
• Provide referrals and coordination as needed to assist patients in addressing care needs.
• Complete all documentation and respond to email and phone correspondence within the established timeframe.
• Plan, organize and participate in various department, organization, community, and school related activities, process improvement, program development and other initiatives, for the purposes of providing education, outreach, prevention, and intervention services to the community.
• Follow all applicable clinical procedures outlined in Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Revised Code of Washington (RCW), accreditation, ASAM, code of conduct, policies and procedures and adhere to all state, federal, local, and tribal laws.
• Coordinate with a multi-disciplinary team to support patient needs in a holistic manner.
• Ensure security and confidentiality of all program data and operate in accordance with applicable regulations of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Work directly with other departments providing medicated assisted treatment, behavioral health screening, brief intervention, brief therapy, and referral to treatment for clients.

Substance Use Disorder Specialty

• Provides direct substance use disorder counseling and case management services to youth and adult patients, consisting of individual, group, family, educational sessions, prevention, intervention, and crisis response.

Gambling Specialty

• Provides direct problem gambling counseling and case management services to youth and adult patients, consisting of individual, group, family, educational sessions, prevention, intervention, and crisis response.

Domestic Violence Intervention Treatment Specialty

• Provides direct Domestic Violence Intervention Treatment counseling and case management services for adult patients, consisting of individual, group, family, educational sessions, prevention, intervention, and crisis response.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Master's degree in psychology, social work, or related field.
• Washington State Licensure as a LMHCA, LMFTA, or LICSWA.
• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's license and maintain a driving record that meets the minimum requirements established by Nisqually Indian Tribes vehicle insurance provider.
• Successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check.
• The ability to work with vulnerable populations including adults and children.

• Must pass a State and National (FBI) criminal history background check prior to employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Sub-specialties: Washington State Substance Use Disorder Professional/Trainee; Problem Gambling Certification/Trainee; or Domestic Violence Intervention Treatment Program Trainee or Staff certification. Professionals must obtain full certification within two (2) years.
• Experience working directly with youth and families.
• Experience working with co-occurring disorders.
• Knowledge of the Nisqually Indian Tribe's history, customs, traditions, and ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity.
• Experience working with Federally Recognized Tribes.

SUPERVISION

This position does not supervise.

COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of:

· Knowledge of a wide range of counseling techniques, including individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and psychoeducation, to address diverse client needs effectively.

· Knowledge of and ability to use conflict resolution skills effectively.

· Available resources for patients who require additional services and/or a higher level of care.

Skill in:

· Ability to actively listen to clients with empathy, compassion, and without judgment, fostering a supportive therapeutic relationship.

· Operation of personal computer and the use of job-related software.

Ability to:

· Ability to work collaboratively with clients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to develop holistic and individualized treatment plans that address clients' biopsychosocial cultural needs.

· Ability to work empathically and effectively with individuals of various backgrounds and beliefs.

· Ability to recognize and respect cultural differences and diversity, adapting counseling approaches and interventions to meet the unique cultural needs and preferences of clients.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger; handle; feel; or grip objects, stretch and/or reach with hands and arms; stoop; crouch or work in cramped or awkward positions; repetitive motions. This person may regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust to focus.