POSITION TITLE: Mental Health Counselor
DEPARTMENT: Behavioral Health
LOCATION: Vancouver, WA
REPORTS TO: Clinical Manager
FLSA STATUS: Exempt, fulltime
SALARY RANGE: $88,325.42 - $105,990.52

First Review Date: October 9, 2024

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Provides individual, family and group counseling services 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, and values of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe (CIT) and of the Cowlitz Tribal Health and Human Services department.

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 comorbid health issues and concerns.
• Determines level of care, intervention strategies and an individualized treatment plan.
• Conducts individual and group therapy sessions utilizing a variety of psychological techniques with an emphasis on treating co-occurring disorders.
• Develops, coordinates, and conducts group therapy sessions in accordance with established policies, procedures, protocols, and established standards of care.
• Provides crisis intervention as needed including safety planning and relapse prevention planning.
• Coordinates care of clients with the referral source, family, and other organizations involved to further the effectiveness of treatment services.
• Collaborates with other community services and resources to ensure continuity of care and achievement of treatment goals.
• Develops holistic individualized treatment plans that address the client’s mental health, coping strategies, and recovery needs.
• Offers education on diagnosis, stages of change and recovery, course of treatment, etc., to clients, families, friends, or other caregivers.
• Reports on client progress and participation to individuals and agencies involved in the client’s care as authorized and requested by the client.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of services provided; monitors client progress; adapts treatment plans as needed.
• Participates as a member of the clinical team to staff cases and review progress, hurdles, feedback, and recommendations.
• Manages client caseload ethically and in accordance with established procedures.
• Supports an inclusive environment that offers culturally responsive care and interventions that focus on holistic healing.
• Completes all required documentation in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Participates in professional development and maintains required licensure and certification.
• Participates in staff meetings as requested.
• Adapts to changes in safety protocols and procedures.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment to achieve shared goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of patient evaluation and plan of care procedures.
• Knowledge of patient outreach services and activities.
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical counseling principles, and methodologies in substance use disorder treatment and recovery support.
• Skills in performing comprehensive biopsychosocial diagnostic assessments.
• Skill in completing documentation in an electronic health record system.
• Skill in de-escalation and crisis intervention.
• Ability to apply behavioral health counseling methods and techniques.
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic services and make individualized adaptations to improve outcomes.
• Ability to conceptualize client experiences through a culturally and historically informed lens.
• Ability to develop and offer educational presentations.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of individualized service plans.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to build rapport quickly and effectively with clients and those involved in their care.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships and contribute to the creation of an inclusive environment.
• Ability to approach interactions with courtesy and respect.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy or closely related field.
• Three years' experience providing behavioral health services is required.
• Two years’ experience providing behavioral health services to youth is required.
• Licensed to provide mental health services (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, PsyD) in Washington state. Associate level licensure may be considered (a different salary range applies in these instances).
• Experience working within American Indian and/or Alaska Native communities preferred.
• Valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• 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.
• Personal and professional reference checks 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, stand, use hands and fingers for a variety of tasks, talk, and hear. The employee occasionally is required to 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 generally performed in an office/clinical setting with a moderate noise level. Employee may be exposed to bodily fluids, blood borne pathogens and infectious disease. Situations occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Overnight travel and/or evening and/or weekend work may occasionally 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 preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***