Job Title: Counselor/Therapist
Department: Baltimore, MD
Supervisor: Clinical Director
FLSA: Exempt
Compensation: $57,000-$65,000/year + Benefits
Telework: Some Telework Available after 90 Days
Date Revised: January 12, 2023
MISSION
The Mission of Native American LifeLines is to promote health and social resiliency within Urban American Indian communities. Native American LifeLines applies principles of trauma informed care to provide culturally centered behavioral health, dental, outreach and referral services.
AGENCY OVERVIEW
Native American Lifelines Inc. (NAL) is a small nonprofit community-based agency in Baltimore, MD, with an additional service location in Boston, MA. NAL serves American Indians/Alaskan Natives, primarily providing health education, health promotion, case management, substance abuse counseling, dental services, transportation, and support groups.
NAL has an annual operating budget of approximately $2.4million, a staff of 10-15 full time employees, various contractors and 3-5 behavioral health intern/externs. Our program is part of a network of 42 Urban Indian Health Organizations nationally and a member of the National Council of Urban Indian Health. NAL’s substance use & mental health outpatient treatment program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
POSITION SUMMARY
We are seeking a Counselor to help expand our services at Native American LifeLines. The counselor would focus on partnering with clients and the community to facilitate trauma-informed and culturally-appropriate recovery. In this role, this individual would be responsible for engaging clients in individual as well as group sessions. This individual will be responsible for documentation of client contact through electronic medical records. The counselor would be under the supervision of our clinical director.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Applicants will at minimum have a Master’s degree in Social Work, Public Health, Psychology, Counseling or other health-related field. 2-3 years of experience working in the human service preferred. Experience and/or knowledge of substance abuse treatment. A criminal background check is required. This is an Indian Preference hiring position, however all interested applicants should apply.
Applicants must be licensed in the state of Maryland and/or Massachusetts as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (I or II), a Licensed Social Worker Associate, Licensed Social Worker, a Licensed Certified Social Worker, or a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Applicants must also be willing to obtain licensure in additional service area states.
If an applicant has licensure in a state other than Massachusetts or Maryland, they must be willing to obtain licensure in both states within 6 months of employment
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Competencies:
Knowledge of specific health care issues pertaining to mental health and substance abuse
Knowledge of record keeping requirements, as well as other regulations of entities having responsibility for licensing, approving and credentialing the program served
Knowledge of mental health issues of Native American communities strongly preferred
Knowledge of mental health issues of urban communities strongly preferred
Knowledge and experience with individuals recovering from alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, opiate use disorder and tobacco use disorder strongly preferred
Knowledge of trauma-informed/trained and culturally- competent care strongly preferred
Knowledge and experience of facilitating grief work with clients who’ve suffered multiple traumatic losses preferred
Knowledge of the external intensive outpatient treatment programs preferred
Training and experience in telebehavioral health services strongly preferred
Ability to exercise professional judgment at the level of clinical excellence and advanced practice
Ability to diagnose and treat mental health disorders
Create individualized treatment plans according to patient needs and circumstances
Meet with patients regularly to provide counseling, treatment and adjust treatment plans as necessary
Conduct ongoing assessments of patient progress
Ability to assess and develop educational programs for the needs of clients and staff
Knowledge of Affordable Care Act / Indian Health Care Improvement Act preferred
Knowledge of Metropolitan Baltimore health care systems and community resources
Proficient in Microsoft Office
Ability to work independently and without on-site supervision
Task and detailed oriented
Valid Driver’s License and the ability to travel
Strong ethics
Ability to work cooperatively as a team member
Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide extensive and focused health/mental health education for clients, tailoring the information and approach to the needs of the population served
Complete intakes with clients for outpatient substance use treatment
Facilitate at least two recovery groups weekly that utilize evidenced-based treatment models
Provide individual counseling both in-person and via telehealth
Basic knowledge of mental health conditions and common treatments
Observational skills to pick up on changes in symptoms and behaviors
Strong oral communication skills to interact effectively with staff and patients
Partner with clients to create treatment plans
Be willing to facilitate therapy, health and psychoeducational groups as needed
Be willing to assist with drug screenings as clinically necessary
Assist with outreach to other agencies to inform them of the services that our agency provides
Complete required documentation according to state and professional standards
Appointment reminders, follow-up, and transportation scheduling
Sees clients in office, as well as, in community settings
Computer skills to enter information into health information software systems
Monitor, collect, and enter all referrals and medical information into Resource Patient Management System (RPMS)
Collect and report Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) data
Represents Native American Lifelines at community outreach events
Participates in weekly case conferencing and supervision with Clinical Director
TELEWORK/REMOTE WORK
This position is eligible for limited telework after 90 days, or situationally as determined by leadership. Some travel between NAL service locations in Baltimore and Boston is required. All work-related travel will be paid for by NAL.
HOURS:
Business hours are Monday - Friday 9am – 5pm. Leadership and salaried professionals should expect to work between 40-45 hours weekly. Some evenings and weekends are required.
BENEFITS:
In addition to salary, you receive the following benefits:
Medical, dental, and vision coverage
EAP (Employee Assistance Program), STD/LTD, AD&D, Life coverage
3% match SIMPLE IRA (after 1 year)
Assistance with applicable licensure fees as the budget allows
Assistance with continuing education credits as the budget allows
PTO/HOLIDAYS:
Staff health and wellbeing is central to our ability to aid the community in achieving their own wellness goals. In addition to regular staff care activities, NAL offers a generous combination of sick and personal hours, accrued vacation, and an average of 15 paid holidays annually.
INDIAN HIRING PREFERENCE (USC 48 CFR 1452.226-70)
This position is funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services' Indian Health Service division and as such is an Indian Hiring Preference position per US Code 48 CFR 1452.226-70. All Native and non-Native applicants are encouraged to apply.
Flexible work from home options available.