Counselor I - OP

Job Summary: The Counselor I - OP is responsible for providing therapeutic interventions designed to assist clients to successfully complete the substance abuse treatment or other clinical treatment program. No direct supervisory responsibilities. Functional authority with respect to the clinical supervision of Counselor Interns, Practicum Students and Volunteers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Client Management

• Conducts initial intake assessment to determine individual treatment needs from clients seeking substance abuse treatment as required per program.
• Conducts orientation for individuals referred to the program.
• Provides clients with individual and group counseling and case management services, as related to their ongoing needs based on their individualized treatment plan.
• Maintains up-to-date client record documentation.
• Facilitates therapeutic group and individual counseling.
• Completes client psychosocial assessments and develops and/or revises and implements individual client treatment plans.
• Prepares periodic reports on client status and activities as required by funding agencies.
• Facilitates substance abuse education using approved curriculum.
• Monitors and notifies Director of potential psychological crises with individual clients that may affect the operation of the program or the facility, or may necessitate further intervention.
• Maintains documentation of treatment in CMBHS or other electronic record-keeping, and other client files as required by funding sources.
• Attends all scheduled client staffings, and provides input as appropriate.
• Develops referral linkages with community resources.
• Facilitates job skills training.

Administrative

• Conducts in-service training for staff as needed.
• Attends staff meetings and trainings as scheduled. Financial:
• Within the scope of responsibility, adheres to budget guidelines, including expenditures, billing for services, P-Card documentation, etc.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not have direct organizational supervisory responsibilities but does have clinical supervision of one or more Counselor Interns.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER

• Time commitment:

• 40+ Hours per week

• Must be willing to work some evenings and weekends

• If driving for VOA-TX business:

• MVR background check (good driving record)

• Valid Texas driver's license

• Criminal background check

• Approval from TDCJ to work in TDCJ-funded programs, if applicable

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and must successfully complete any required training and acquire any required certifications within prescribed timeframes. 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.

Competencies

• Familiar with community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate therapeutic counseling for individuals and groups.
• Reasonable combination of skills in psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, communications, resource development/linkages, and substance abuse or other clinical counseling is required.
• Displays passion and optimism.
• Inspires respect and trust, and treats people with respect.
• Demonstrates high degree of integrity and ethical standards.
• Upholds organizational values.
• Exhibits confidence in self and others, and inspires and motivates others to perform well.
• Demonstrates ability to work with multi-disciplinary team.
• Good working knowledge of basic computer functions.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Education requirements follow the guidelines for clinical licensure as reflected under Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations. Bachelor's Degree in social work or related field is preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

To meet the qualifications of a licensed substance abuse treatment program in Texas, the counselor must hold either an LCDC license from the state of Texas, or may hold a clinical license in the form of LMSW, LPC, or LMFT. If working in substance abuse treatment, the LMSW, LPC, or LMFT must meet the requirements stipulated by DSHS to be a Qualified Credentialed Counselor. Licensure must remain current and in good standing.

A licensed chemical dependency counselor (LCDC) is licensed to provide chemical dependency counseling services involving the application of the principles, methods, and procedures of the chemical dependency profession as defined by the professions ethical standards and the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) as defined by rule 25 TAC chapter 441 (relating to General Provisions). The license does not qualify an individual to provide services outside this scope of practice. Valid Texas Drivers License and ability to be insured

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform 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 employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and taste

or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.