POSITION TITLE: Mental Health Counselor
DEPARTMENT: Mental Health
LOCATION: Tukwila, WA
REPORTS TO: Clinical Supervisor
FLSA STATUS: Exempt, fulltime
SALARY RANGE: $36.93 - $51.659 hourly (Associate License) or $42.46 - $59.45 hourly (Independent License)

Review Date: March 1, 2024

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***

Position Summary:

Provides individual, family, and group counseling services to Cowlitz tribal members and other American Indian/Alaska Natives across the lifespan that incorporate a variety of strengths-based, culturally responsive therapeutic modalities to provide effective treatment interventions that facilitate achievement of individually focused outcomes. Adheres to HIPAA and confidentiality requirements. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and of the HHS department.

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides comprehensive diagnostic assessments using a variety of instruments and techniques to determine the diagnosis, social and mental health of clients; assesses co-existing health issues and concerns.
• Determines level of care, intervention strategies and an individualized treatment plan.
• Conducts therapy sessions utilizing a variety of psychological techniques.
• Develops, coordinates, and conducts therapy sessions in accordance with established policies, procedures, and protocols and APA principles.
• Provides appropriate crisis care within agency scope and maintenance of goals.
• Coordinates care of clients with the referral source, family, and other organizations involved to further the effectiveness of the treatment program.
• Works with other community services and resources in obtaining and providing continuous care in an individualized recovery plan for clients.
• Develops appropriate individualized treatment plans to address the client’s mental health, coping strategies, and recovery needs; educates families, friends, or other caregivers.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of treatment programs; monitors client progress; adapts treatment plans as needed.
• Participates as a member of clinical team that meets weekly to discuss cases regarding progress updates, hurdles, feedback, and recommendations.
• Manages client caseload; works with insurance agencies as required; communicates authorizations.
• Incorporates traditional cultural approaches as appropriate to aid in treatment.
• Completes all required documentation, intake notes, treatment plans, treatment plan reviews, group notes, and discharge summaries in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Prepares current client progress reports and completion notices and provides them to the courts, probation departments, DCYF, and referral sources as appropriate.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by conducting research, attending seminars, educational workshops, classes, and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Adapts to changes in safety protocols and procedures.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of client evaluation and plan of care procedures.
• Knowledge of patient outreach services and activities.
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical counseling principles, trauma, substance use and abuse, programs and methodology.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the use of DSM-V in the development of treatment plans to facilitate healing for clients with mental health diagnoses.
• Skills in interviewing and psychological/developmental evaluation.
• Skill in preparing and maintaining patient records.
• Ability to apply mental health counseling methods and techniques.
• Ability to evaluate the progress of therapeutic programs and to make individual modifications.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and workshops.
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate individual patient care programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to build rapport quickly and effectively with clients and their families.
• Ability to integrate training, experience, and common sense to identify potentially dangerous situations to resolve the situation with minimum injury to self or other persons.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy or closely related field.
• Three years' work experience in counseling, case management or social work is required.
• Licensed to provide mental health services (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, PsyD) in Washington state.
• Associate level licensure may be acceptable.
• Experience working within American Indian and/or Alaska Native communities preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and car insurance is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes. Counselors utilize personal vehicles when providing community-based clinical services.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distance.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in community-based or office/clinical setting with a moderate noise level. Employees in the Mental Health Counselor position should expect to commute to community-based sessions as a routine part of clinical practice. Situations occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Employee must demonstrate ethical decision-making, be safety-minded and able to assess, engage and support individuals experiencing mental health crises or situational hardships. Overnight travel and/or evening work may be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and a Drug & Alcohol-Free workplace.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).