Counselor

Gila River Indian Community 

Job Description

COUNSELOR 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The Counselor is responsible for performing individual, group, and family counseling within assigned facilities of the Gila River Indian Community.  These services include completing an assessment, developing a treatment plan with the resident(s), and coordinating planned discharges.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Completes assessments, develops treatment plans and provide individual counseling to youth/adult residents.  Facilitates group counseling and psycho-educational groups.  Provides family counseling with residents and their parents and/or immediate families.  Serves as a contact/clinical liaison to residents/families to ensure delivery of effective appropriate treatment.  Assists in the development of the discharge plan and coordination of recommending continuing care.  Completes clinical documentation in a timely manner.  Manages and oversees assigned caseload to ensure delivery of services identified and continuity of care.
• Provides community outreach and networks with other agencies and community resources as needed.  Participates in clinical team meetings/staffing’s to monitor client progress towards goals, and documents in client charts.
• Collaborates with client, family members, Case Manager, and other interested parties to assess and monitor progress toward attainment of goals and completion of treatment plan.
• Responds to clinical emergencies and or crisis situations of residents, contacts appropriate individuals and/or agencies to ensure appropriate interventions are utilized and the safety of residents is maintained.
• Perform other duties required for this position and or as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

• Knowledge of available community, local and regional social and/or health service agencies.
• Knowledge of the Gila River Indian Community resources and contacts.
• Knowledge of regulations and standards of patient rights.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and techniques of counseling theories and modalities.
• Knowledge of standards, regulations and procedures associated with client eligibility including AHCCCS, Tribal Social Services and GRHC resources.
• Ability to apply appropriate skills by facilitating professional growth of staff.
• Ability to utilize effective communication and problem solving skills to effectively identify issues, concerns and interests and provide effective solutions.
• Ability to instill and foster trust in others through consistency in work methods, behaviors and follow through.
• Ability to accurately and reliably interpret data for determining mental health status and initiate appropriate action in emergency situations.
• Ability to assess family dynamics for well-being of the resident by recognizing their limitations and strengths through completion of thorough and effective interviews.
• Ability to apply active listening and critical thinking skills for problem identification and resolution skills in performance of counseling activities in accordance with established standards and training
• Skills associated with making diagnosis, choosing, initiating and modifying therapies and providing emergency treatment.
• Ability to clearly communicate verbally, read, write, see and hear to perform essential functions.
• Ability to effectively communicate and produce documents written in the English language using proper sentence structure, punctuation, grammar and spelling.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other employees, elected officials, clients, agencies, and the public.
• Ability to effectively use computers and related computer application software.
• Ability to perform all physical requirements of the position.
• Ability to maintain a drug-free work environment.
• Ability to work more than forty hours in a work-week without additional compensation to perform assigned job duties, which may include weekends, evenings, early morning hours, and holidays as required.
• Ability to pass criminal background check as mandated by P.L. 101-630.
• Ability to maintain tribal driving permit.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Psychology, Counseling, Sociology, Social Work or a closely related field and a minimum of three (3) years progressive responsible experience performing professional counseling services for an agency or organization.
• Must possess current license for Master Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker, Associate Substance Abuse Counselor, Independent Substance Abuse Counselor, Associate Counselor, Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist or Associate Marriage Family Therapist upon hire and provide documentation at the time of applying.
• Current license from the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:

• Required to pass a background check and fingerprint clearance as a condition of employment and must continue to maintain throughout the duration of employment.
• Background checks are required for positions that involve regular contact with or control over Community Children in accordance with The Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, 25 U.S.C. Sections 3201 through 3210 and C.F.R. Part 63 and positions that have regular contact with the Elderly.
• CPR & First Aid Certification or must be able to obtain within 90 days of date of hire and maintain throughout employment.
• Required to complete an annual TB Test.
• Required mandatory reporter pursuant to Title 7, Chapter 2 (7.205), B.
• Required to attend Title 7 Mandatory Reporting training on a yearly basis
• Tribal Driving permit required.
• Must maintain all agency training and certification requirements.

Classification Code: CO002                                                                      Approved: 10/01/2019

Grade: S-15                                                                   Salary Range: $62,549.00 - $105,749.00Non-Supervisory, Salaried Position   Reports to Director or designee