JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT – CLINICAL – COUNSELOR

Minimum Qualifications

****Salary will be based on licensing, training, and experience****

M.S or M.A. degree from an accredited college or university in the counseling field such as Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Child Therapy.

Must possess one of the following licenses:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Licensed Psychologist Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA)
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Licensed Professional Intern (LPC-Intern)
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) – must meet and maintain licensure as a LCSW and be in good standing with the Department of State Health Services within 24 months of hire.

Must meet and maintain licensing and/or certification standards and be in good standing with the Department of State Health Services.

Must have vehicle for transportation and show proof of automobile liability insurance coverage.

Bilingual in Spanish/English preferred.

Must have telephone and report residence.

Must pass a pre-employment urine analysis and subject to background clearance.

Typical Duties
Essential Duties
Assess and administer substance use and mental health assessments and screening tools to aid in the development of treatment/recovery plans through the identification of the client’s strengths, risks and needs.

Provide supportive substance use services to youthful offenders and their families with a substance use and/or mental/behavioral health issue involved in the juvenile justice system.

Provide therapeutic services and interventions to youthful offenders and their families to ameliorate symptoms associated with a mental and/or behavioral health issues.

Administer screenings and assessments for youth and family members utilizing tools identified by the Department.

Develop and review treatment plans, progress notes, discharges plans and follow up reports as well as maintain records in accordance to departmental, TDSHS and TJJD standards.

Develop spreadsheets and maintain accurate data collection and statistical information regarding clinical services provided.

Participate in weekly staff meetings based on results of screening, assessment and treatment participation/engagement.

Provide individual, group, family and community educational sessions educational to address substance use and/or mental health disorders identified in youth and/or families and to increase skills and awareness regarding mental and/or behavioral health issues identified as scheduled and as per program design and/or departmental need.

Provide phased treatment using strategies that address cognitions, motivation, and mental/behavioral health issues.

Identify and assist in the coordination of adjunct care and/or community linkages as necessary to ensure a continuum of care and developmental of natural supports for compliant and noncompliant youth/families receiving services.

Provide experiential therapeutic approaches.

Provide in-home therapeutic services to address family needs and risks.

Incorporate relapse prevention curriculum into treatment model.
Administer, score and analyze non-projective, performance and psychometric tests as well as conducts clinical interviews to aid in the identification of mental/behavioral health issues as well as make recommendation regarding services and/or levels of supervision.

Review records and conducts collateral contacts to support diagnostic impressions and recommendations.

Prepare and complete bio-psychosocial/behavioral health assessment reports which may be used for court purposes as well as to facilitate recommendations regarding services and levels of supervision.

Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and departmental personnel to aid in eligibility criteria determination regarding services and supervision levels.

Conducts mental status examinations, as well as assess crisis situations to include determination of a child’s risk of harm to self and/or others.

Conduct case staffing to determine treatment needs and aid in the development and execution of treatment, treatment and discharge plans as well as develop monthly progress reports and recommendations for continued services.

Document all sessions and findings as well as review treatment notes, assessments, bio-psychosocial histories, assessments and collateral information in order to ensure that clinical records are maintained in accordance to departmental policies and TDSHS standards as well as adherence to HIPAA and federal laws regarding confidentiality of client’s records.

Maintain compliance with the mandatory training as per DSHS and TJJD guidelines.

Ensure treatment is provided in accordance with standards established through the TDSHS and the TJJD.

Ensure that documentation conforms to Department, TJJD and DSHS guidelines and standards.

Maintain licensure in good standing as mandated by the TDSHS.

Review and adhere to the 42 CFR pertaining to release of confidential information for substance abuse records and 45 CFR as it applies to standards of privacy of individual identifiable health information.

Adhere to ethical standards, guidelines and practices as outlined in federal, state and departmental standards regarding licensed/professional personnel.

Duties for fully licensed staff may also include the oversight of therapeutic services and interventions, as well as the reviewal and approval of clinical documentation as a Qualified Credentialed Counselor (QCC)

Other Important Duties
Performs other duties as assigned.

Must be able to work extended non-traditional hours to include evenings, shift work, weekends and holidays.

Maintains a safe and healthy work place environment.

Job Summary
Summary of Position
The Counselor will provide, depending on area of assignment, a broad range of therapeutic modalities to high needs and/or at risk juvenile justice involved youth; including participants with co-occurring disorders as well as a history of violent and/or habitual delinquency acts in an inpatient, outpatient and/or community setting. Responsible for providing screenings, assessments, individual, group, and family sessions and home-based services to aid both the juvenile and family in gaining a better understanding of the impact of mental health and/or substance use issues have on the family system. The Counselor collaborates with a multidisciplinary team and departmental personnel in order to conduct bio-psychosocial/behavioral health assessments as needed for service and supervision recommendations.

Additional Information
Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of and ability to learn and apply current juvenile justice theories and practices; evidence based programs and practices as relevant treatment theories and practices for individuals with a substance use and/or mental health disorder.

Ability to assess and administer substance use and mental health assessments and screening tools to aid in the development of treatment/recovery plans through the identification of the client’s strengths, risks and needs.

Must have knowledge of application of evidenced based and/or best practices in providing therapeutic services for youthful offenders as well as be culturally astute to this diverse population.

Possess knowledge of Title III of the Texas Family Code, Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) Standards.

Knowledge and ability to develop treatment recommendations, identification of services and interventions that will facilitate the rehabilitative process and the amelioration of identified symptoms/behaviors associated with a substance use and/or mental health disorders.

Knowledge and ability to effectively apply and utilize counseling and crisis stabilization techniques and resources as well as be well versed in family systems and/or family therapeutic modalities.

Knowledge and ability to apply a range of counseling practices, theories and modalities to facilitate the rehabilitative process and the amelioration of identified symptoms.

Knowledge and ability to effectively facilitate individual, groups and family sessions with maladjusted youth and their family members in both clinical and home/community based settings.

Knowledge of and ability to adhere to departmental policies and procedures, TJJD, TDSHS and licensing standards.

Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to engage juveniles and family members in the assessment and therapeutic processes as well as foster teamwork and partnerships with co-workers, departmental personnel and community stakeholders.

Must possess a high degree of maturity coupled with interest in working with children/adolescents and their families and the ability to work positively and effectively with maladjusted children and dysfunctional or high risk families.

Must possess organizational and time management skills coupled with accurate record keeping in order to ensure that services are prioritized and adhere to Departmental, State and Federal standards and laws regarding treatment records.

Problem solving skills and ability to analyze situations; formulate recommendations and facilitate change with assigned cases, as a part of the multidisciplinary team, and within the organization.

Must be able to work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.

Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental personnel, clients, other County employees and officials, clinical service providers, law enforcement, the courts and the general public.

Ability to be flexible to the needs of the department and program and make required changes to fulfill those needs.