Mental Health Counselor

This is a full-time, FLSA exempt position with Juvenile Services located in Carson City, Nevada. Under general supervision, perform mental health duties for Juvenile Services, to include home visits, group and individual counseling, individual assessments, and the implementation of mental health programs for both in custody and probation youth.

** This recruitment will remain open until recruitment needs are satisfied. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately, as hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made. **

Examples of Duties

This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.

• Interview and observe clients, family members, support systems and community agencies to determine appropriate placement, supervision, and treatment in the least restrictive environment; analyze and integrate information obtained through interviews, observations and medical and clinical records; keep accurate patient records; and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Identify available resources and assist families in accessing those resources to reduce the risk of harm to the client and to maintain the client in the least restrictive environment.
• Conduct individual, family and group therapy by applying various therapeutic techniques; and review and evaluate programs and activities to ensure conformance with Department policies and State licensing requirements.
• Develop, implement and monitor treatment, behavioral and/or training plans, determine strengths, present problems, identify available resources, appropriate interventions, and perform casework duties.
• Perform crisis intervention to maintain children in the least restrictive environment; recommend and complete documentation for hospitalization, if needed.
• Monitor clinical services to ensure achievement of treatment goals identified in a treatment plan.
• Document all contact and maintain accurate case records to support the treatment plan; review clinical records written by professionals and para-professionals in order to complete a thorough case history; prepare documentation and reports to apprise the court, treatment providers and other professionals regarding the client's mental health and behavioral status and identify the clients continued needs; develop and implement discharge and after care plans, act as an advocate and return the client to the least restrictive environment; and enter data in appropriate software program.
• Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the areas of mental health.
• Provide clinical consultation for other professionals and families; and serve as a clinical expert on multi-disciplinary review teams.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department's service provision by developing and coordinating work teams and by reviewing, recommending and implementing improved policies and procedures.
• Uses standard office equipment, including a computer, in the course of the work.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with patients, family members, visitors, and staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Represent Juvenile Services in community and mental health activities as a member of the Behavioral Health Task Force, Medicaid Behavioral Health, and Statewide Behavioral Health Collation; act as department liaison to community agencies providing mental health and special education services to juveniles; conduct training and presentations for community groups and organization.
• Select, administer, score, and interpret appropriate mental health assessments such as tests of intelligence, achievement, visual motor ability, personality, behavior inventories, and neurological screening.; observe client behavior, conduct interviews, and review clinical records written by professionals and para-professionals in order to complete a thorough evaluation of case history.

Typical 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.

Education and Experience:
Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in social services, marriage and family therapy, counseling, psychology or a closely related field and license to practice in the State of Nevada as a clinical social worker or marriage and family therapist; AND two (2) years of experience performing clinical case work; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid driver's license.
• Nevada State Clinical Social Worker license (LCSW) or Marriage and Family Therapist license.
• Crisis Prevention Intervention certificate
• First Aid and CPR

Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:

• Principles, procedures, methods, and techniques of social work.
• Principles and procedures of adolescent and family clinical case management.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes, and regulations regarding mental health care.
• Motivational and interviewing skills and cognitive behavior therapy
• Principles and procedures of mental health record keeping.
• Principles and procedures of mental health report preparation.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• First Aid and CPR
• Business mathematics, including statistics and financial analysis techniques.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals, at all levels of responsibility, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Agency, State and Court policies, procedures, and processes related to client care.

Skill in:

• Performing mental health examinations and systematically assessing the mental health status of persons and families.
• Interviewing clients and family members in order to assess and determine their mental health history, background and current mental health status.
• Educating clients on a variety of mental health care related issues.
• Preparing, performing, and reviewing mental health tests.
• Providing responsible mental health care, including mental health education.
• Responding to mental health emergency situations.
• Counseling clients and families on a variety of mental health care related issues.
• Operating standard mental health testing and/or equipment.
• Preparing and maintaining confidentiality and security of mental health records.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.
• Demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, family members, visitors, and staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Writing comprehensive evaluations, reports, and recommendations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Under General Supervision - Incumbents at this level are given assignments and objectives that are governed by specifically outlined work methods and a sequence of steps, which are explained in general terms. The responsibility for achieving the work objectives, however, rests with a superior. Immediate supervision is not consistent, but checks are integrated into work processes and/or reviews are frequent enough to ensure compliance with instructions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mobility to work in a typical detention setting, use standard office equipment and stamina to sit and stand for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and restrain an individual weighing over 200 pounds who may be a danger to himself/herself and/or others; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; exposure to traffic conditions and external environment when traveling from one site to another; and may be subject to exposure to blood and airborne diseases/fluids. Supplemental Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. Unclassified employees are "At Will" and as such, may be terminated at any time for any reason, or no reason.
2. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
3. Any City employee may be required to stay at or return to work during emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position which may include working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.
4. This position may require working a non-traditional work schedule, so the employee must be willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays.
5. Employees may be required to complete Incident Command System training as a condition of continuing employment.
6. New employees are required to submit to a fingerprint based background investigation and a drug screen which will be at a cost to the employee. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screen.
7. Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment with Carson City must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at ... or go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at www.uscis.gov .
8. Carson City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.