Behavioral Health Counselor (Part Time)

 Provides, oversees, and/or administers a wide range of psychosocial evaluation/assessment, diagnostic, counseling therapy, crisis intervention, and/or case management services in a clinical environment which requires a high degree of independent decision-making and program administration. Leads and trains lower level counselors/social workers, and/or interns engaged in related therapeutic/patient care activities, as appropriate to the individual position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Included but not limited to the following);

· Provision of intensive, integrated professional mental health services and treatment planning in a clinical and/or outpatient environment.

· Provision of professional leadership in the determination of appropriate therapeutic approaches and methods.

· Planning and implementing outreach/education programs, workshops, and activities.

· Supervising clinical activities of therapists, students, and/or interns within area of specialty.

· Establishment and maintenance of case files and related documents for clinical and legal purposes.

· Provides counseling, therapy, and/or psychotherapy to clients and families as appropriate to the position; prepares treatment plans, discharge plans, and follow-up care programs; provides therapeutic crisis intervention and emergency services as required.

· Collects data about patients through interview, case history, psychological tests, and/or observational techniques; evaluates data to identify causes of problems and to determine proper therapeutic approach or referral to other specialists.

· Consults with other therapists and related professional and paraprofessional staff, as appropriate, in the performance of therapeutic and/or casework; refers clients to appropriate service agencies as required.

· Provides and/or arranges for therapeutic interventions as appropriate for patients or clients in a crisis condition and for those with serious disturbance problems.

· Refers clients to appropriate social service agencies for financial assistance and other required services.

· Follows up to determine reliability of treatment used; changes method and degree of therapy when indicated.

· Establishes and maintains case files, referrals, and other related documents for the treatment of clients; prepares related documentation for civil commitment hearings or other legal proceedings; keeps abreast of patient data to ensure appropriate treatment and care are delivered.

· Consults with other legal and treatment agencies and individuals in relation to patient/client records, rights, and responsibilities.

· Plans and facilitates community outreach and education activities, as appropriate to the position; may serve as a liaison and representative to community organizations and schools.

· As appropriate to the position, performs various administrative functions such as monitoring budgets and preparing reports and correspondence; may participate in a variety of research projects to develop service plans, and may propose changes to program policies and procedures.

· May provide formal teaching, consultation, and in-service training to relevant professionals in immediate an proper handling of and/or referral of a variety of matters.

· Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES :

· Knowledge and understanding of clinical social work and mental health counseling principles, methods, procedures, and standards.

· Knowledge of psychological testing interpretation.

· Interviewing and psychological/developmental evaluation skills.

· Skill in preparing and maintaining patient records.

· Knowledge of community mental health resources.

· Knowledge of clinical operations and procedures.

· Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.

· Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.

· Ability to maintain emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses.

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

· Ability to evaluate the progress of therapeutic programs and to make individual modifications.

· Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.

· Knowledge of the principles and methods of social and vocational rehabilitation as they relate to mental health clinical practices.

· Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.

· Knowledge of legal and ethical issues related to patients' rights.

· Knowledge of community support services and funding agencies.

· Knowledge of community health care and vocational services.

 One of the following:

· Master’s degree in social work, or related field, with a minimum of one year of experience as a therapist and current license to practice in South Carolina.

· Doctoral degree in psychology, with a minimum of two years of continuous experience as a therapist and a current license to practice in South Carolina as a Psychologist (or working toward licensure).

· Competency in providing cognitive and behavioral interventions to individuals, children, adolescents, families, couples, and groups with behavioral health/ substance abuse problems in a primary care setting.

· Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with primary care staff, patients, and other behavioral health clinicians.