Job Description

The Counselor serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary patient care team. This involves the delivery of outpatient therapeutic counseling services to patients. The Counselor provides direct patient counseling services with a focus on general mental health to individuals, families, and groups. Work performance is reviewed for conformance to policies, procedures, and practices related to behavioral health service delivery.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Assesses and provides appropriate therapeutic counseling services for individuals, families, and groups presenting with problems related to general mental health and substance use that are within the scope of the Counselor’s education, skills, training, licensure, and privileging.
2. Provides behavioral health-related prevention/education services to the primarily Spanish-speaking community in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
3. Provides accurate and timely documentation, billing, and program audit support.
4. Actively participates in case staffing meetings and peer review sessions.
5. Collaborates with the care team and other internal and external health care providers for shared patients to facilitate patient care and follow- up.
6. Supports the organization, as needed

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Excellent knowledge of counseling theories, modalities, techniques, and principles, including documentation for treatment services.
2. Model professionalism, integrity, and ethical principles, at all times.
3. Ability to accomplish the quality and quantity of work expected within set limits of cost and time.
4. Ability to plan own work and carry out assignments effectively and completely.
5. Must have strong listening, written, and oral communication skills, with ability to communicate clearly with patients, providers and staff.
6. Ability to establish rapport and gain the confidence of others (providers, case managers, primary care team, patients, and associates).
7. Must be able to work with confidential material without betraying the trust of patients, families, or the agency- in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regulations, as well as agency policies.
8. Ability to assess quality of patient care and make improvements, as needed.
9. Knowledge of the cultural, social, and economic backgrounds of the populations served and the ability to work with diverse populations.
10. Knowledge of mental health issues of diverse populations served.
11. Knowledge of and skills to provide brief intervention counseling focused on adults with general mental health and substance abuse challenges.
12. Promote the agency’s core values and mission.
13. Always exercise utmost discretion, diplomacy, and tact in customer transactions.
14. Completes and remains current on all training and continuing education requirements, as mandated by the AZBBHE, insurance (including AHCCCS) and agency requirements.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS:

1. Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, Counseling, or a related field is required.
2. Active and unrestricted AZBBHE licensure as a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW), Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), or Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT) is required within 6 months of hire- Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Professional Counselor (LPC), or Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
3. Three years of specialized experience in mental health and/or substance abuse with diverse populations is strongly preferred. Experience working with underserved populations is also strongly preferred.
4. Bilingual in Spanish is preferred. Fluency evaluation is required.

Standard Employment Requirements

1. Must possess a valid and unrestricted Arizona driver’s license (within 30 days of hire if applicant is from out-of-state) with no DUI/DWI or reckless driving convictions in the last five years. No more than two at-fault accidents in the last three years. Must maintain a valid Arizona driver’s license during employment. Must be insurable under NATIVE HEALTH’s liability auto policy.
2. Must pass a criminal background check and obtain a Class I Fingerprint Clearance Card within the initial ninety (90) calendar days of employment and retain a valid card while employed with NATIVE HEALTH.
3. Must pass substance abuse testing upon employment and submit to random testing during employment.
4. Must provide an updated immunization (IZ) record at the time of employment.
5. Must have a current (within 12 months) Tuberculosis (TB) skin report upon employment and provide an annual update.
6. Must obtain BLS certification within (90) calendar days of employment and maintain certification during employment.

Additional Information

Native Health complies with all state and federal requirements, including EEOC requirements.