Counselor I

Position Summary:Counselors are primarily responsible for the delivery of individual, group and family counseling services and the completion of documentation required for the clinical record including, but not limited to; implementation of the Individual Treatment/Service Plan, psychosocial assessment, daily notes and weekly/monthly reviews. Counselors will attend interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and monitor treatment throughout the clients care. Under the direction of a Program Director or designated Counselor Level II or III, Counselors will assist with crisis intervention and de-escalation of situations to ensure safety to all. Counselors will assist with the assessment of crisis situations to determine severity and will make referrals & recommendations to Program Director and other direct care staff to insure consistency and appropriateness of staff responses to issues. Counselors will implement an approved evidenced based curriculum as the basis for group and individual counseling.
Essential Job Functions:

• Utilize counseling and psychotherapy to evaluate, diagnose & treat substance use disorders. Screen for emotional, mental problems & conditions, whether cognitive, behavioral, or affective. Make referrals to the appropriate Qualified Mental Health Practitioner (QMHP) for further follow-up, evaluations and mental health treatment.
• Assess need and make decisions regarding the delivery of the appropriate individual, group and family counseling.
• Conduct interviews and make assessments of potential clients to determine need and appropriateness for program participation and referrals.
• Awareness of Medicaid and other insurance stipulations to gain approvals to provide billable services.
• Analyze situations and take necessary actions to provide crisis intervention. Interpreting and implementing WestCare procedures regarding crisis intervention as appropriate.
• Provide direct counseling services to clients.
• Monitor and assess client behavior.
• Create Individual Treatment/Service Plans.
• Report to immediate supervisor any unusual incidents that should be brought to the attention of the Program Director, Director of Nevada Operations, Senior Vice President or regulatory agency.
• Participate in decision to refer clients for ancillary services, i.e., family support groups, continuing care groups, etc.
• Complete documentation required in the WestCare Client Data System - Electronic Health Record for clinical records and other reports as assigned.
• Attend all interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and establish parameters for discharge planning.
• Ensure that all staff are following WestCare polices and procedures.
• Make recommendations to immediate supervisor regarding interviewing and hiring of direct care staff.
• Requires regular and consistent attendance to ensure continuity of counseling services to clients.
• Follow all WestCare policies and procedures.
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation.
• All other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:Certifications/Licenses:

• Must be able to apply to the State of Nevada, Board of Examiners for an Alcohol, Drug & Gambling Counselors - Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor Intern (CADC-Intern) certificate to operate under the supervision of an approved Licensed Counselor. A total of 60 credits are required to apply for the internship. Must maintain 40 CEUs every 2 years, attend College earning 3 credits, minimum, every 6 months.
• Ability to pass first level and NABS background clearance

During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you
Education:

• Minimum of an Associate Degree from a college or university in social work, psychology, childhood education, education counseling and/or similar course of study recognized by the State of Nevada - Board of Examiners.

Experience and Competencies:

• Maintain the highest ethical and professional standard as to clients and employees.
• Ability to avoid all dual relationships with clients (any personal, financial, business, social, social media, sexual relationship or other activity outside the context of the traditional therapist-patient relationship).
• Meet all state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines in provision of client services.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• High level of initiative.
• Ability to lead and also be part of the team

Working Conditions:

• Indoor and outdoor settings.
• Group and/or individual counseling sessions.
• Direct contact with clients of all ages and levels of functioning.
• Fast paced environment.
• Potential for high noise level at times.
• A minimum of 40 hours per week are expected but significantly more hours will be required from time to time. Completion of job duties may require working before and after normal working hours. So question hourly employee or salaried statement?? Regular attendance is required. Being able to work as many hours as is necessary to complete job tasks is a required and essential duty of this position.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the JobThe employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with orwithout accommodation:
Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 30 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to other employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employees essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions.
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.

About Westcare:

Who We AreSince 1973, WestCare has provided health and human services with a commitment to delivering high-quality and cost-effective services that empower people to transform their lives.THE MISSION.We are resolutely dedicated to the populations we serve, as well as our employees, and actively promote the wellness and empowerment of individuals, their families, and their communities.Our MissionWestCare empowers everyone with whom we come into contact with to engage in a process of healing, growth, and change benefiting themselves, their families, co-workers, and communities.Where Do We Serve?Proudly serving sixteen states, three U.S. territories, the Dominican Republic and the Republic of PalauWhat Do We Do?We're a family of nonprofit organizations that provide a wide range of health and human services to improve the lives of those in our communities. Our service domains include:Mental Health & WellnessTreatment & RehabilitationCriminal JusticeVeteran ServicesHousing OpportunitiesEducation & PreventionDomestic ViolenceEmergency Support

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