Mental Health Counselor

POSITION TITLE: Mental Health Counselor (IICAPS)

PROGRAM: Intensive Home-Based Therapy program (IHBT) 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Mental Health Counselor is responsible for direct services with children, adolescents and their families in the Intensive Home-Based Therapy program. She/he works primarily in the home of client families assisting with the implementation of the service plan. The majority of hours worked are in the late afternoon and evenings. There may be some weekend hours worked based on family/client’s needs. Key roles of the Mental Health Counselor is behavior management, family guidance, behavioral training, parent education, individual counseling to children and adolescents, crisis management, family support and case management. She/he maintains confidential records and collaborates with other professionals and team members. He/she carries a pager during assigned periods and responds to all calls for assistance either by telephone or in person (as clinically indicated and authorized by supervisor).

SUPERVISION:        Supervised by: Director of Home-Based Treatment Services (or designee)

EXAMPLES OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide in-home and community-based services to children, adolescents, and families, including counseling, case management, assessments, parent education, and crisis intervention.

• Develop and implement crisis stabilization and behavior management plans.

• Connect families with needed resources through advocacy, translation, referrals, and service coordination.

• Maintain a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and assigned after-hours.

• Respond to crisis emergencies in homes, schools, hospitals, and other community settings.

• Conduct regular home visits, follow-up, and home-based therapy while meeting productivity expectations.

• Collaborate with families, schools, DCF, and other professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Engage families in service planning and decision-making and promote active family participation.

• Complete required documentation and maintain confidentiality.

• Participate in supervision, staff meetings, training, and other program planning.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have the ability to maintain the utmost confidentiality of both agency and client matters. Must understand and be able to display the clinical knowledge and expertise necessary to perform crisis intervention. Must be able to display knowledge and expertise as it relates to the population served by Wellmore, Inc.  Must be capable of working as a part of a team and be able to effectively communicate with both families and professionals (in writing and verbally).   Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that meets the needs of assigned families. Must be able to display at least an understanding of the diverse cultural communities prominent in greater Waterbury. Working knowledge of the greater Waterbury area is a must!

Bi-lingual (Spanish-English) may be required.  

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Candidates should preferably possess a college degree (BA, BS or BSW) in a human service field (e.g., social work, child development, or psychology, etc.).  Individuals with a degree in an unrelated field or without a college degree may be considered if they have at least 2 years’ experience in human services.

Candidates must have the skills necessary to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of the families to be served.  Two years’ experience working with children, families or providing crisis intervention is preferred.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and valid auto insurance is required; CPR and first-aid.

Salary : $50,599 - $53,560