Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Major responsibilities: Provides culturally-competent, excellent quality care to community health center patients Provides clinical expertise and guidance to other clinicians working in the same health center Collaborates with CHC staff to provide comprehensive primary care to patients 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 urgent 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 mental health and medical staffs, 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 Mental Health/Substance Abuse 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. Provides clinical supervision to lower level therapists and/or mental health counseling trainees/interns, as appropriate, and/or consulting services to other patient care professionals. May provide formal teaching, consultation, and in-service training to relevant professionals in immediate and proper handling of and/or referral of a variety of matters. Actively participates in the CHC, Inc quality assurance program. Demonstrate understanding and commitment of the health center mission. Demonstrate understanding and commitment to the established CHC Values and Standards. Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards. Ability to work both independently and in a team. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications: Masters degree, or equivalent, in mental health counseling, or clinical/counseling psychology and Massachusetts licensure as a LMHC. Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments. Proficiency with use of computer (Microsoft Office) as communication and data management tool. Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress. Knowledge and understanding of mental health counseling principles, methods, procedures, and standards. Familiarity with psychological testing. Interviewing and psychological/developmental evaluation skills. Skill in preparing and maintaining patient records. Knowledge of clinical operations and procedures. Knowledge of community mental health resources and willingness to reach out to existing resources. 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. Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques. Ability to evaluate the progress of therapeutic programs and to make individual modifications. Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials. Knowledge of the principles and methods of social and vocational rehabilitation as they relate to mental health clinical practices. Knowledge of legal and ethical issues related to patients' rights. Ability to lead and train staff and/or students. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Must be credentialed per CHC, Inc policies and procedures. Successful candidate must submit to post offer, pre-employment physical examination/medical history check.