Mental Health Counselor

Mental Health Counselor


General Statement of Duties

Provides services which will enhance the ability of persons who may be experiencing mental health problems, including dementia, to meet their mental health treatment needs.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class will work with older adults and their care givers to join the team in the Senior Resource Center. This position provides therapeutic services, which may be performed both in the field or in an office setting, to members of the senior population with mental health and/or substance abuse needs. Employee provides information and assistance, as well as options counseling. Information service includes informing people about programs and services, identifying the types of assistance they need and connecting them to appropriate service providers. Options counseling provides guidance to individuals as they make informed choices about long term services. Employee provides community outreach services by making home visits for the purpose of case management. An employee in this role carries a caseload of patients and/or families and work in partnership with them to identify strengths and needs and develop a plan for health maintenance or improvement. They make referrals to medical facilities, social service agencies, etc. when needed and agreed on by the patient or family. An employee in this role will offer mental health guidance. An employee takes the lead role in coordinating all plans and resources for these clients. Employee in this role is expected to participate in program planning and quality assurance activities. In this capacity, they will contribute observations or data related to patient or community trends or practices, ideas for improved program performance. An employee in this class organizes, supervises and participates in providing a variety of programming, including educational information for the staff, program clients, and families. Work requires a strong understanding of public health concepts and practice. Work is performed under the supervision of the Department of Aging Director and is evaluated by the effectiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks
Case Consultation to a health care practitioner or local service provider regarding an eligible adult. This may include an assessment, evaluation, or consultation regarding the eligible person who is receiving services from the health care practitioner or provider.
Duties will include completing comprehensive clinical evaluations and risk assessments; developing/monitoring individual treatment plans; conducting initial intake assessments; identifying the needs of clients and linking them to the necessary resources; providing individual, group, and family therapy; documenting services and submitting billing information for reimbursement; and writing reports.
An appraisal to determine the nature of an individual’s mental health problem and his or her need for service. This may include an assessment of the nature and extent of the person’s problem through a systematic appraisal of the mental, psychological, physical, behavioral, functional, social, economic, and/or, intellectual resources of the individual for the purposes of diagnosis and determination of the most appropriate plan, if any, for services.
Outpatient mental health treatment is designed to meet the treatment needs of an eligible adult. Treatment modalities may include counseling (individual or group), psychotherapy, medication therapy, and collateral work with family members. Partial hospitalization and/or day hospitalization are not allowable services under this standard. Reviews and assesses complex conditions, taking into account the physical aspects of the issue and the impact of other factors such as family resources, income, culture and social dynamics.
Speaks with prospective clients; conducts in home visits for assessments and supervision.
All providers shall complete an Aging Resources Management System (ARMS) Client Registration Form (DAAS-101) for persons receiving any of the allowable service tasks (case consultation, evaluation and outpatient treatment services) under Mental Health Counseling
Employee must maintain accurate client data, agencies must conduct an update
of client registration information for those persons receiving outpatient treatment services every twelve (12) months. services.
Maintains service records as required by licensure and the Department of Aging Reviews Medicaid billing statements related to assigned caseload.
Ensures compliance with all departmental and professional counseling standards monthly, policies and procedures.
Handles all complaints concerning level and quality of service; advises participants, family members, and staff concerning health care practices.

Additional Job Duties
Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledges Skills and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of, and skill in, practice, principles, and techniques employed in the field of geriatric mental health.
Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply the practices of geriatric mental health.
Knowledge of available resources and organizations and the ability to coordinate these as needed.
General knowledge of current social and economic problems relating to geriatric mental health, including mental health disparities.
Ability to plan, coordinate.
Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions.
Ability to record accurately services rendered and to interpret and explain records, reports, and medical instructions.
Ability to work in partnership with patients and with other service providers.
Ability to oversee the work of others; adequate computer skills to allow communication, patient record documentation, accessing information.

Physical Requirements
Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, talking, and hearing.
Must be able to perform medium work exerting 50 pounds of force occasionally; and 20 pounds of force frequently.
Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, operate a computer terminal, and determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned.

Desirable Education and Experience
Master's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field and two (2) years clinical experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have current licensure as a clinical social worker (LCSW), professional counselor (LPC), psychological associate (LPA), or clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) with eligibility to practice in the state of North Carolina. Prior experience working in the field of geriatrics is preferred.

Special Requirements
Valid NC Driver’s License, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) or
Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA).


Columbus County
2023

Click below to apply

https://columbusco.org/columbus-county-employment-application