Mental Health Counselor

Position Title: Mental Health Counselor

Supervisor: Chief Clinical Officer

Department: Compass Community Health

Work Location: 11th Street Clinic

Supervises: Not Applicable

Date Effective: 2/2023, Rev. 3/2025, Rev. 10/2025

FLSA Status: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:

A Mental Health Counselor is responsible for providing assessments, determining appropriateness of service, and providing direct treatment services. A Mental Health Counselor must also complete paperwork and provide case management functions related to as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Essential functions are duties, which are essential or primary to the position or the reason the position exists. An individual must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Conducts diagnostic assessments and determines patient appropriateness for service. Gathers information on individual and identifies patient's strengths, weaknesses, needs and problems in order to formulate appropriate treatment plan.
• Conducts intensive individual counseling sessions with patient on a one-to-one basis; ensures flow of patient's case during treatment. Ensures individual treatment plan is appropriate to patient's needs and being implemented properly.
• Provides written documentation of patient activity, develops treatment plans, and written updates in order to maintain compliance with requirement standards, and provides documentation for billing of services. Initiates all correspondence and paperwork related to assessments and patient service reports (i.e., letters, progress notes, etc.).
• Provides input to treatment team regarding the developments of treatment plans and patient progress. Meets with clinical staff and Medical Director for review, input and consultation into patient plan.
• Provides case management services, such as community linkage and development of resource for patients.
• Ensures all services rendered as well as ongoing business processes and operations are managed and conducted legally, ethically, in accordance with the highest professional standards and best practices.
• Implements and upholds all policies of the organization and ensures that all operations are consistent with the stated mission and direction set forth by the Board of Directors.
• Ensures that all operations are performed within accreditation standards and corporate policy.
• Completes periodic competency testing and ensures adequate training is maintained to ensure high quality clinical care.
• Ensures a safe environment for patients and employees through adherence to safety policies, as well as through safety education and periodic drills.

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides ongoing therapy to adults including children, adolescents, and young adults.
• Conducts psychological, cognitive, and educational evaluations.
• Provides feedback to multidisciplinary staff and families (if applicable license is held).
• Participates in consultation and collaborative meetings with physicians, other therapists, school personnel, and other professionals within the field.
• Has opportunity for outreach and other programmatic planning if desired and within clinical scope.
• Complies with state and federal drug laws as regulated by the state board of pharmacy, the drug enforcement administration, and any other applicable agencies.
• Maintains accurate records.
• Studies existing and new legislation; anticipates legislation and advises management on needed actions.
• Adheres to infection-control protocols.
• Demonstrates understanding/practice of confidentiality in performing tasks.
• Positively represents program through appropriate interaction, personal appearance, and attitude.
• Collects information in a thorough manner as applicable from clients/community.
• Participates in scheduled care team huddles for pre-visit planning, when requested.
• Accurately provides information regarding program services.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times as required by 42 CFR and HIPAA. Safeguards healthcare consumer privacy and confidentiality with respect to communication, documentation, and data.
• Able to use electronic health record to retrieve relevant information and to document care concisely.
• Considers clinical and cost-effectiveness in decision making about the organization and delivery of services.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

• Secondary functions are duties, which are not exclusive of the position, and can be performed by other positions. Secondary duties are as follows:

1. Perform any other duties as assigned.
   • Develop and sustain positive working relationships with patients, families, and providers.
   • Explain to patients and family the roles and responsibilities of each team member and how they will work together to provide services.
   • Remain fluent in terminology pertaining to a healthcare setting.
   • Respect and respond to the leadership displayed by other providers in a healthcare setting or team.
   • Facilitate collaborative care by sharing relevant information with others through communications that are authorized by the patient and are permissible under HIPPA and related laws, regulations, and policies.
   • Assess the nature of the patient's family and social support system that have an impact on healthcare.
   • Ensure the flow and exchange of information among the patient, family members and linked providers.
   • Support patients in considering and accessing complementary and alternative services designed to support health and wellness.
   • Provide information, education, guidance and support to family members and other caregivers.
   • Establish and pursue individual and team-based improvement goals.
   • Participates in Patient Centered Medical Home team meetings and quality improvement activities.
   • Participates in data collection, review of respective outcomes reporting, as well as programmatic clinical audits and evaluation related to Patient Centered Medical Home initiatives and other quality programs as appropriate.
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     COMPETENCIES:

     • Demonstrated knowledge/skill of clinical practice and performance, including a thorough knowledge of diagnostic assessment, treatment planning, counseling interventions.
     • Ability in the area of effective communication, interpersonal skills.
     • Ability to make decisions and to demonstrate sound judgment.
     • Ability to effectively manage self and tasks for maximum efficiency.
     • Ability to complete all required documentation in accordance with agency policy.
     • Knowledge of federal and state laws, and public and private resources pertaining to counseling services.
     • Works with organizational leadership to foster and maintain a professional culture that promotes mutual respect and collaborative working relationships.
     • Resolves conflicts and ensures that all employees perform their duties in a manner consistent with organizational policies, procedures and best practices associated with their respective disciplines.
     • Develops and maintains positive working relationship with staff throughout the organization.

     MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

     • Active LISW licensure preferred with strong interest in those seeking Telemedicine delivery method. LSW, LPC, LPCC considered.
     • Prior counseling experience in outpatient or inpatient setting preferred.
     • Degree in Behavioral Science or related field required.
     • Maintains applicable agency trainings.
     • Valid Ohio Motor Vehicle License required and ability to maintain insurability.
     • Maintain CPR/First Aid training.

     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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate effectively; use hands and fingers to handle or operate tools, equipment, or controls; and to reach, bend, and lift as necessary. The employee may be required to stand or sit for extended periods and occasionally move or lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.