Mental Health Counselor at Boys and Girls Village INC – Bridgeport, Connecticut

PURPOSE/FUNCTION OF THE PROGRAM:

To provide intensive in-home services to children and adolescents who because of the complexity and severity of the psychiatric needs are at risk for hospitalization; to prevent hospitalization or need for other institutional levels of care and to maximize community functioning.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The IICAPS Mental Health Counselor provides services to families in their homes and out in the community. The Mental Health Counselor must work a flexible schedule, including afternoon, evening, or weekend hours in order to reduce barriers to treatment and accommodate the family’s schedule.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with clinician in assessment, treatment planning, and stabilization of clients.
• Offer therapeutic support, parent guidance to families.
• Carry a case load of 8 to 9 cases; averaging 5.5 hours of direct service per week per case.
• Work individually with children as clinically indicated.
• Collaborate with clinician to provide advocacy, case management and concrete services in accordance with treatment plan.
• Must be willing to schedule family visits during late afternoon and evening times and/or weekend hours.
• Attend IICAPS trainings and adhere to Yale IICAPS model as overseen and directed by Director
• Documents and evaluates all services and procedures to be in adherence with state statutes, COA standards and Boys & Girls Village standards.
• Manage ongoing insurance authorization for cases

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in supervision and case presentations.
• Provides resolution of problems arising during a crisis
• Collaborates with other service providers to assure continuity of care.
• Write all relevant reports, progress notes, rounds notes, and other documentation as program needs.
• Keeps the Program Director apprised of all situations which involve the safety of any individuals in the program or community, to monitor the impact on the agency as well as its mission of care for children and families.
• Prevents, intervenes and reports instances of child abuse or neglect.
• Performs additional duties as assigned to deliver seamless services through Boys & Girls Village.
  

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• BS in social work or related mental health field or equivalent experience.
• Prior experience in Human Services, Health Care/Mental Health, Education, Community Organizing, or Advocacy.
• Experience working with children and adults.
• Experience or comfort level working with families in their homes.
• Must be willing to drive to off-campus sites for home visits and collaborative meetings.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record and reliable transportation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bi-lingual (Spanish) desired

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• N/A

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to climb several flights of stairs
• Must be able to work with clients in a variety of settings

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:

• Evening and occasional weekends are required
• Ability to be flexible with work schedule