Mental Health Counselor

Navajo Preference Employment Act

In accordance with Navajo Nation and federal law, TCRHCC has implemented an Affirmative Action Plan pursuant to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. Pursuant to this Plan and corresponding TCRHCC Policy, applicants who meet the necessary qualifications for this position and (1) are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will be given preference in hiring and employment for this position, (2) are legally married to enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and meet residency requirements will be given secondary preference, and (3) are enrolled members of other federally-recognized American Indian Tribes will be given tertiary preference.

Position Summary

The incumbent will provide mental health services to individuals, families, and groups. Assessment and treatment will encompass a broad range of mental health concerns including, but not limited to, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. The incumbent will develop and implement psychotherapeutic treatment plans in the clinical setting.

Qualifications

Necessary Qualifications

Education:

Master’s Degree (M.A.) in areas of Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy or related mental health field

Certification

Must possess and maintain a current and unrestricted license to practice independently as a psychotherapist in any state within the United States, District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Experience

Completion of supervised clinical hours required for independent licensure and practice

Other Skills and Abilities

A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers. All employment references must address and indicate success in each of the following areas:

• Positive working relationships with others
• Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints
• Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences
• Thorough knowledge of psychological disorders as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)
• Ability to use computers and navigate electronic medical records
• Able to respond appropriately in stressful situations
• Able to provide direct patient care in a kind, patient, and compassionate manner

Completion of and, above-satisfactory scores on all job interviews, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the interviewees and TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job

Successful completion of and positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC a record of satisfactory performance and that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job

Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screenings indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC and demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job

Submission of all required employment-related documents, applications, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading, or incomplete information, as determined by TCRHCC

Mental and Physical Effort

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical

The work involves prolonged periods of sitting in an office setting operating a personal computer, as well as movement throughout the hospital. Distant travel may be required for program development. The position requires the ability to stand, walk, drive, and reach.

Incumbent will need to have the sensory ability to see far and near vision, see in fine details, hear normal speech, hear overhead pages from a loudspeaker, and frequently use the telephone. This job requires the prolonged use of a keyboard and the hand manipulation of simple/firm grasping and fine hand manipulation.

This position may require an occasional need to lift or carry up to 10 lbs. This position requires the incumbent to occasionally be able to accept a flexible schedule to meet unit needs.

Mental

Completed work is reviewed in terms of its professional expertise, promptness and effectiveness in meeting clinical or regulatory requirements. The Chief of Mental Health as well as peers in the mental health department are available for supervision.

The incumbent must have the prolonged ability to cope with high levels of stress; make decisions under high pressure; concentrate; handle a high degree of flexibility; handle multiple priorities in stressful situation; work alone; and demonstrate a high degree of patience.

The incumbent must be able to frequently cope with anger/fear/hostility of others in a calm way; and manage altercations. Incumbent may occasionally work in areas that are close and crowded.

Environmental

The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to Infectious Diseases, chemical agents, dust, fumes, and gases.

Essential Functions

• Provides diagnosis and treatment for patients with a broad range of mental health conditions.
• Conducts individual, family, and group psychotherapy using evidence-based modalities.
• Coordinates patient care with other members of the mental health and medical treatment teams.

Assesses and treats high-risk patients, including but not limited to individuals in acute crisis, patients recently discharged from psychiatric hospitalizations, incarcerated patients, patients at high risk for suicidal or violent behavior, and patients with suboptimal treatment adherence.

Covers the mental health on-call service on a rotating basis with the other mental health staff, providing emergency consultation and treatment planning for patients with psychiatric emergencies in the emergency department and inpatient medical units.

Works closely with the Navajo Tribal Division of Social Services, law enforcement and other agencies to coordinate services for mental health patients.

Refers patients to outside services when indicated.

Maintains all appropriate patient care records according to hospital policy, including timely entry of clinical documentation into the electronic medical record.

Ensure proper PPE is worn at all times while on duty including but not limited to, face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator or higher, if available), and eye or face shield.

Complete all donning and doffing tasks in a safe acceptable method and discard of used PPE accordingly. (see CDC website for most current updates)

Complete task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for all surfaces contaminated by a communicable disease to ensure a high level of patient, visitor, employee, and external customer satisfaction.

Performs other duties as assigned.