JOB PURPOSE:  Provides high quality professional counseling services for assigned clients. Utilizes counseling and diagnostic skills to conduct intake evaluations, formulate a diagnostic summary, facilitate formulation of a person-centered recovery plan and identifies additional needs/barriers to be addressed. Facilitates formulation of safety, crisis and transition plans. Provides individual, parent and family counseling consistent with recovery plan and utilization management guidelines. Functions as member of multidisciplinary team and may provide consultation to case managers, care coordinators, skills trainers and peers. May perform crisis assessments, immediate crisis interventions, and make recommendations and/or referrals for crisis resolution. Documents all services and activities per established agency guidelines. Serves as a resource regarding mental health and substance use for other personnel, both internally and from other agencies. May facilitate training opportunities regarding mental health and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and best-practice programs. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:  Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in counseling.  Passing score on National Counseling Exam.  Prior experience working in a counseling or mental health setting preferred. 

DEGREE AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIRED (IF APPLICABLE):   Passing Score on National Counseling Examination.

COMPLETION REQUIREMENT:  LPC-A will complete experience and supervision requirements for licensure within 18 months of employment and become eligible to apply for promotion into an LPC position.

DRIVING REQUIRED:    Yes

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Fundamental diagnostic interviewing and counseling skills.
• Ability to integrate interview information, develop a case formulation and preliminary diagnoses.
• Ability to engage individuals in a person centered recovery planning process, identifying the individual's goals, objectives, needs and barriers.
• Ability to engage individuals in crisis and safety planning.
• Professional written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to learn to write progress notes, assessments, brief mental status exams, memos, letters, various complex reports and miscellaneous documents according to professional and agency standards.
• Computer - skilled with Microsoft Office products
• Experience with an electronic health record a plus.
• Basic familiarity with community mental health and other community resources
• Ability to build rapport with individuals including clients, their families and coworkers. 
• Skill in utilizing appropriate professional tools and interventions.
• Interacts with diverse cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds and municipal organizations and agencies.
• Acquires and uses new skills as the job requires.
• Ability to work under clinical supervision.   
• Ability to complete all job requirements in a timely manner. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS OR CONDITIONS(specify):

• Will interact with other consumers, referral sources, outside agencies, and family members to determine needs and actions to be taken. 
• Current State of Texas Driver License or if you live in another state, must be currently licensed in that state. 
• Liability insurance required if employee will operate personal vehicle on Center property or for Center business.  Must be insurable by Center's liability carrier if employee operates a Center vehicle or drives personal car on Center business.
• Must complete all training requirements in month in which they are due.
• May be required to provide on-call duties. 
• Availability of a personal vehicle for business use may be required. 
• Work will predominantly be performed within a clinical office setting.  Some positions may require services in community setting, area schools, correctional facilities, and within client's residences, which may include shelters and temporary housing. 
• May be responsible for providing group services and/or crisis services as needed.
• Must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Must successfully pass all background screens as required by the state
• Ability to input data into computer, make calculations, complete paperwork, produce reports.
• Must be physically able to perform all job requirements that may include home/school visits, walking on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, and standing or sitting for long periods of time if required.
• May be required to work flexible hours including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. 
• Adhere to professional dress and appearance standards consistent with the position and daily workplace needs. 

Essential Tasks & Standards

1. Documents all services and activities per established agency guidelines.
2. Utilizes counseling and diagnostic skills to conduct intake evaluations, formulate a diagnostic summary, facilitate formulation of a person-centered recovery plan and identifies additional needs/barriers to be addressed. 
3. Facilitates formulation of safety, crisis and transition plans. 
4. Provides individual, parent and family counseling consistent with recovery plan and utilization management guidelines.
5. Functions as member of multidisciplinary team and may provide consultation to case managers, care coordinators, skills trainers and peers
6. May perform crisis assessments, immediate crisis interventions, and make recommendations and/or referrals for crisis resolution.
7. May facilitate training opportunities regarding mental health and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and best-practice programs.

 Work Behaviors & Standards

1. Attends work regularly and punctually in order to provide reliable and consistent coverage in area of responsibility.  Arrives at designated time and departs according to schedule.  Maintains a willingness to adjust schedule to meet the needs of the situation.  Makes every attempt to pre-schedule absences and provide dependable coverage and service.  Complies with Center policies regarding leave usage, absenteeism, and tardiness.
2. Interacts with person served in an emotionally supportive and/or therapeutic manner in order to provide an environment of caring, dignity, and respect.
3. Works harmoniously with fellow employees, supervisors, family, and friends of persons served, and the public in order to create an environment of caring, dignity and respect, and that allows for the accomplishment of the Center's mission.
4. Utilizes work time effectively to insure that all assignments are completed in a thorough and timely manner.
5. Abides by all Center policies and procedures regarding training objectives and requirements including those that relate to safety and infectious disease control. Will keep all Staff Development mandatory trainings current.
6. Adheres to Center policies and procedures and all applicable requirements and regulations of HHSC, CMS, Texas Administrative Code, CARF, relevant contracts and all other applicable regulatory bodies.
7. Maintains confidentiality regarding consumers, records, personnel, and other sensitive and confidential information in order to comply with Center, state, and federal policy.
8. Conducts all aspects of employment in accordance with Center's Compliance Program.