Description

SAAF Mission

The San Antonio AIDS Foundation seeks to reduce HIV transmission, provide support and treatment for those living with HIV, reduce stigma and support positive sexual health. SAAF provides sexual health education, STI and HIV testing and counseling, medical care, case management, housing and meal support, mental health services and referrals for dental health. Access to care and early intervention have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people living with HIV.

Position 

The Mental Health (MH) Counselor provides individual, couples and group counseling services to people living with HIV and monitors progress on various levels. Issues addressed may include, but are not limited to harm reduction, substance use, adjustment behavior, depression, and anxiety. 

This position demands a high level of cultural competency of the unique needs of the LGBTQIA community, communities of color, and other marginalized populations.

Duties and responsibilities

• Provide information to clients regarding the counseling program at SAAF. Explain the limits of confidentiality. Obtain all necessary documents and Informed Consent forms for therapy services. 
• Utilize appropriate counseling methods and techniques. 
• Counsel clients to assist in overcoming dependencies, coping with stressors, and making healthy choices.
• Help clients develop skills and strategies for dealing with problems and follow progress toward their goals.
• Develop and implement treatment plans, with periodic reviews in accordance with acceptable clinical standards.
• Maintain client records in accordance with applicable standards including: electronic data systems, such as TCT, e2SA, and eCW in a timely manner. This includes case notes, referrals and following up, address/contact information.
• Follow client assessment and mental health outcomes.
• Follow client’s HIV medical care.
• Provide appropriate referrals when necessary.
• Maintain appropriate relationships and communications with supervisor, case managers and other SAAF staff. Weekly in-person supervision meeting with Mental Health Director.
• Maintain confidentiality of client records according to code of ethics and HIPPA.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Counseling 
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) require
• At least 2-3 years paid work experience as a mental health counselor/therapist
• One-year paid work experience with persons with HIV/AIDS or other catastrophic illness preferred
• Ability to speak Spanish preferred, but not required

Working conditions

Full time. Forty hours per week, primarily Monday through Friday 8-5. This position operates in a professional mental health office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. 

Physical requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.