Program Counselor

Overview

The Program Counselor 1 and Behavioral Health Access 2 is a professional health care provider who assesses and evaluates acute psychiatric patients in the Emergency Department and coordinates/facilitates a level of care referral/placement of psychiatric referrals from outlying communities This position also assists patients in meeting their bio-psycho-social needs by means of support services and therapeutic techniques. These will include but will not be limited to assessment, consultation, teaching, support services for patients and families, crisis intervention, group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, interdisciplinary treatment planning, and discharge planning.

Responsibilities

Patient Care
* Formulates and conducts educational, therapeutic, and/or support group.

* Conducts individual, couples, and family therapy.

* Communicates effectively with patients, families, health care team members and community providers regarding patient status and progress.

* Develops an effective working relationship with the patient and participating family members.

* Ensures the psycho-social assessment or update is completed within 48 hours of admission.

* Ensures that the treatment plan has specific measurable goals, objectives, and interventions that are unique to the patient's problems and strengths.

* Participates in and effectively contributes to patient care conferences, interdisciplinary treatment planning, and case staffing.

* Ensures that interventions designated in the patient's treatment plan are carried out.

* Evaluates and documents the effectiveness of interventions and patient response in a timely manner.

* Responds to requests for case management services in a timely manner.

* Interacts and communicates with community agencies in the assessment of and service to patients.

* Provides liaison and referral services to community agencies and appears in court when requested or subpoenaed.

* Assesses patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in behavior.

* Demonstrates working knowledge of psychopathology, most current DSM, and appropriate treatment techniques, and incorporates knowledge into treatment planning.

* Maintains knowledge of the Adult/Adolescent program rules, protocols, and handbooks.

* Attends facility in-services, staff development, clinical supervision, and department staff meetings. Meets regularly with supervisor.

* Strives to maintain and improve professional competence and provides documentation for personnel file.

Documentation
* Document care provided in the EMR in accordance with QA parameters.

Education
* Participates in creating and sustaining a learning environment supported by evidenced-based practice and research.

* Focuses on personal development areas, engaging in professional/collegial interactions with peers and students.

* Work collaboratively with peers and other healthcare providers, and participating in ongoing in-services and educational seminars.

* Participates in the mentoring and education of colleagues and students.

Compliance/Safety
* Responsible for reporting any safety-related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety-related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.

* Stays current and complies with state and federal regulations/statutes and company policies that impact the employee's area of responsibility.

* If required for the position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.

* Completes all company mandatory modules and required job-specific training in the specified time frame.

* Maintains timely documentation of assessments, interventions, EMR entries, and patient responses.

* Adheres to regulatory and organizational standards affecting patient care and safety as well as all hospital and departmental policies and procedures.

* Practices in a safe and cost-effective manner.

Qualifications

Education
Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, counseling, or clinically related behavioral health field- Required

Certification & Licensures
Program Counselor 1 and 2:
CPI- Required within 3 months of hire

BLS (American Heart Association) certification- Required within 30 days of hire

Fingerprint Clearance Card application number- Required upon hire.

Fingerprint Clearance Card- Required within 90 days of hire.

Program Counselor 1:
State of Arizona Behavioral Health license (LCSW, LPC, LMFT or licensed psychologist)- Preferred

Program Counselor 2:
State of Arizona Behavioral Health license (LCSW, LPC, LMFT or licensed psychologist)- Required

Experience
Program Counselor 1: At least two (2) years experience in a behavioral health setting or related setting with direct experience in individual, family and group therapies, and crisis intervention- Preferred

Program Counselor 2: At least two (2) years experience in a behavioral health setting or related setting with direct experience in individual, family and group therapies, and crisis intervention- Required

Healthcare is a rapidly changing environment and technology is integrated into almost all aspects of patient care. Computers and other electronic devices are utilized across the organization and throughout each department. Colleagues must have an understanding of computers, and competence in using computers and basic software programs.