Mental Health Counselor In-Training

Position Summary: Responsible for providing substance abuse treatment services to individuals within prescribed parameters including but not limited to established care delivery models of Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care and Cognitive Behavioral interventions. Treatment services delivered must be consistent with state and federal regulations, the established care delivery model, and general operating philosophy and agency values.

Essential Functions:

• Provide substance abuse treatment services and/or mental health treatment services through individual, family and/or group sessions, which includes but is not limited to conducting intakes and AODA and /or mental health assessments of consumers.
• Prepare and maintain consumer treatment records according to state and federal regulations, funding sources, and other contractual requirements.
• Schedule appointments with consumers and accurately maintain electronic calendar.
• Submit billing and complete progress notes regularly to comply with state and federal regulations, funding sources and contractual requirements.
• Attend staffing with the psychiatrist and clinic meetings, as well as meetings with consumers and case managers as required by state and federal regulations, funding sources, and other contractual requirements.
• Maintain licensure requirements through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services by attending conferences, workshops or trainings.
• Perform duties and maintain work environment in a manner which respects the dignity of the individual consumer and observes requirements of state and federal privacy and confidentiality laws.
• Accurately document any consumer contact as prescribed by acceptable standards and/or 3rd party contractual requirements.
• Adhere to the scope of practice and ethical guidelines set forth by NAADAC, APA, ACA, NBCC or similar substance use professional organizations.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attends and participates in Clinical Manager's meetings.
• Other job-related duties as may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

Job Qualifications:

Minimal Qualifications:

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in a behavioral science with a SAC-IT or greater AODA license.
• One year of clinical experience in the alcohol and drug abuse field working with consumers diagnosed with AODA issues.
• Must meet all the WCS employee requirements including references, criminal and caregiver background checks.
• Must have valid driver's license, and acceptable driver's record checks with sufficient auto insurance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Clinical knowledge, AODA knowledge and skills with the ability to clearly communicate these to others; knowledge of agency policies and procedures and the ability to relay them to others; ability to cope with emergency situations; the ability to maintain and promote positive working relationships within UP; excellent assessment and interviewing skills; good understanding of AODA and dual diagnosis; strong attention to detail; effective use of time and resources to help maintain quality services at UP.

Physical Demands:

Position is mostly sedentary with most time spent in an office; must be able to go up and down stairs and lift and carry 20 pounds to assist consumers; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Other Job Information (if applicable):

Work Relationship and Scope:

Reports to the Unlimited Potential Clinical Manager; has contact with a wide variety of individuals including consumers, all UP staff, referral sources, and the general public.

Personal Attributes:

Follow agency Code of Conduct; adhere to established policies and procedures of the agency and of all funding sources; conduct self in an ethical manner; maintain professional and respectful relationships with program staff, other WCS staff, consumers and all external persons and agencies involved with service provision; sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic and disability issues; demonstrate commitment to agency values and mission.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed primarily in an office environment; much of the work is done sitting at a desk and using the computer; may require some outreach into the community; hours average about 25 hours per week; flexible work schedule may include some evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the program.