Mental Health Counselor - Middle School

Job Description

This is a community-based position that serves residents of the Pueblo of San Felipe, in the 6th-9th grade age range, in a school setting. The incumbent provides a range of psychological assessment, diagnostic and therapeutic services for individuals, couples, groups, and families as directed.

Duties

Provides individual, group, and/or family outpatient counseling, therapy and/or equine-assisted psychotherapy to clients and families as appropriate to the position; prepares assessments, treatment plans, discharge plans and follow-up care programs; provides therapeutic crisis intervention and emergency services as applicable.

Collects information about clients through assessment, observation, case history, and screenings as applicable; evaluates information to identify causes of presenting problems and make clinical recommendations as appropriate to client’s needs.

Provides caseload management; prepares individualized services, referring to appropriate resources as needed.

Provides and/or arranges for therapeutic interventions (including equine-assisted psychotherapy) that best meet the needs of the client/family.

Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings: Mental Health Therapists, Substance Use Counselors, Peer Support Staff and other community partners as determined by supervisor.

Provides clinical support in crisis situations as determined by supervisor.

Co-facilitates with team members (e. g., Peer Support Workers, School Staff, medication prescribers, other clinicians)

• Participates in the review of clinical issues and program policies and procedures.
• Participates in training sessions and workshops to enhance or develop skills.

As “Essential Staff” may be required to be available for on-call duty coverage and must be prepared to work on days determined to be Tribal Holidays or Administrative Leave.

Qualifications

No prior experience with Equine Therapy is required, although, an open-mind and willingness to learn is a must.

• Experience practicing in a family-centered environment is desired.
• Experience practicing in a culturally and linguistically diverse setting is desired.

Demonstrated understanding and acceptance of working as a member of a multidisciplinary team and familiarity with the wraparound approach to comprehensive community-based care.

Experience in collaborating with family members, youth and community cultural stakeholders through active involvement with the community

Demonstrated positive experience with

• Ability to apply mental health counseling methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of community mental health resources including traditional modalities
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Knowledge of clinical operations and procedures
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical counseling principles, programs and methodology

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

• Ability to evaluate the progress of therapeutic treatments and to make individual modification.
• Ability to maintain an effective regimen of self-care.
• Knowledge of psychological test administration, scoring and interpretation.
• Knowledge of legal and ethical issues related to patients’ rights.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops.
• Experience with evidence-based treatments/practices, practice-based evidence, and community-defined evidence.

Openness and flexibility in tailoring the service/support delivery system to meet the clinical and cultural needs of the population of focus by being willing to listen and learn from the community itself through an inclusive planning process.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Additional Qualifications

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Keres-speaking appreciated or ability to work effectively in a multi-lingual environment with a translator.

COMPUTER SKILLS: Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software including: Windows, Word, Access, and Excel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requires driving and involves standing, bending, and walking within the community, schools, clinics, and homes and driving a car in all types of road conditions. Lifting and carrying is necessary to set up equipment for special events, clinics, and teaching programs. If located at the Equine Therapy Program, works in an outside Equine setting with horses, which may involve lifting and moving objects up to 20lbs.

Additional Responsibilities: This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions or to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of customs and mores of the Pueblo of San Felipe community, and appreciation for the importance of traditional ways of lifestyle and language.

• Ability to apply multicultural sensitivity and awareness of working in tribal communities
• Willingness and ability to treat patients with respect, empathy and dignity
• Possess exceptional listening and communication skills

Possess a working understanding of HIPAA regulations, requirements, and guidelines and willingness to exercise a strict level of patient confidentiality

Working Conditions

Indoor/Outdoor:

The Equine Therapy Program requires interaction with horses and working in outdoor elements. The work sometimes requires driving and involves standing, bending, and walking. Lifting and carrying is sometimes necessary to set up equipment in preparation for sessions/trainings. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Exposure to outside weather in all seasons is necessary. Travel is often on unimproved roads. Exposure to infections and communicable disease is possible.

Additional Info

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions or to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.

Required Licenses/Certifications: Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work or directly related field; Independent New Mexico licensure as LPCC, LCSW or equivalent level.

• Valid New Mexico driver’s license.
• Preferences: San Felipe Preference and Veteran’s Preference.
• Supervision and Guidelines: The incumbent will not have a supervisory role.