SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

The ACT Senior Counselor works at a maximum level of independence and responsibility, often sharing responsibility for many agency operations with the Program Director.  The majority of time is spent providing direct services, both entry point and out care, and providing clinical supervision for assigned staff.  Major portions of time are spent on administration and community intervention focusing on duties which involve maintenance and development of the agency, and direct service problems.  The ACT Senior Counselor often serves as assistant Program Director, representing the agency policies and procedures and serving as a consultant to the direct care staff when needed (such as in areas of special knowledge), and serving as temporary or interim program director in the Team Leader's absence.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

·  Responsible for the management of ten client charts.

·  Consults with the Program Director/Team Leader and psychiatrist regarding response to treatment interventions.

·  Provides intensive mental health interventions to consumers according to the ACT philosophy of in-the-field treatment.

·  Conducts comprehensive behavioral health assessments.

·  Promotes the mission of the team.

·  Develops initial and ongoing treatment plans.

·  Provides program consultation and education to community members.

·  Acts as a liaison in situations where a brokered, specialty service may be required.

·  Documents consumer progress as per established guidelines.

·  Flexible service provision.

·  Trains staff in treatment interventions.

·  Participates in daily Morning Meetings.

·  Provides direct clinical intervention both on-site and within a consumer's natural environment.

·  Initiates and facilitates groups where appropriate.

·  Participates in 24-hour, on call rotation.

·  Acts as a coordinator in the overall service delivery system.

·  Interfaces with the criminal justice system and mental health court as a consumer advocate.

·  Routinely conducts lethality and mental status assessments.

·  Performs toxicology screenings at a determined frequency.

·  Acts as a resource for treatment information for other members of the team.

·  Utilizes a harm reduction model in treatment.

·  Demonstrates good oral and writing skills.

·  Reports to the ACT Program Director/Team Leader.

·  Schedule and assigned duties are subject to change based on the needs of the program and the clients we serve.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

·  Able to set flexible therapeutic boundaries and parameters.

·  Demonstrates "street smarts."

·  Experienced in working with chemically dependent people.

·  Has a working knowledge of community resources.

·  Able to network and build relationships with the community at large.

·  Able to develop therapeutic alliances with police officers, court systems, probation and parole.

·  Good overall knowledge of the criminal justice system.

·  Good analytical skills.

·  Good group therapy skills.

·  Able to recognize and manage client crises.

·  Demonstrates creativity in service delivery and planning.

·  Demonstrates leadership skills.

QUALIFICATIONS:

·  Possesses a Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Mental Health Counseling

·  Professional (QHP) certification meeting NYS Office of Mental Health definition for professional staff

·  One-year experience of experience working with mental health treatment

·  Experience in an Assertive Community Treatment Team, preferred