Mental Health Counselor
Date Posted:
4/25/2022
Job Code:
XtraDphm
Location:
ACJC
Address:
2929 N Wells St
City:
Fort Wayne
Department:
Allen County Juvenile Center
Base Pay:
$26.27/hour
Closing Date:
Open until filled
Category:
Professional/Administrative
Description
This position is not eligible for benefits.
This position is part-time, nonexempt, unclassified and covered under the Superior Court Employee Handbook. This is an employee at-will position.
Hours vary; 25 hours/week
Under the direction of the Director of Diagnostics/Psychologist, the Mental Health Counselor assesses juveniles who are detained and completes court ordered mental health and substance abuse assessments.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Responsible for interviewing and documenting information for individuals who have elevated scores on the MAYSI-2.
- Interviews, tests and documents information for individuals who are court ordered to have a mental health and substance abuse assessments including a diagnostic test.
- Scores and provides interpretation of diagnostic tests.
- Facilitates Mental Health Groups with the individual units. Visits individuals and documents information on those who request to see a counselor.
- Visits and documents the status of individuals on shift leaders list daily.
- Reviews individuals who are on smock and blanket and document information as to if they are to remain on smock and blanket or be removed from smock and blanket.
- Reports abuse to Department of Child Services.
- Enters data and information into the computer.
- Trains and monitors all Bachelor and Master Level interns that come to our facility as part of their education.
- Facilitate admissions to psychiatric facilities if deemed appropriate.
- Schedules and completes court ordered assessments with individuals released home on the Detention Alternative Program (DAP).
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements and Working Conditions
REQUIREMENTS:
- Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology or related field and three years’ experience working in a clinical practice. Previous experience working in a correctional, detention or residential treatment setting preferred
- Must have valid State of Indiana Licensing as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or related field or in pursuit of such licensing
- Must be 21 years of age
- Knowledge of juvenile justice, juvenile code and the policies and procedures of juvenile residential and detention facilities
- Knowledge and the ability to assess cases of mental illness, chemical dependency, substance abuse, potential suicide, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect
- Knowledge of and the ability to make practical application of agency policies and procedures, state licensing requirements, American Corrections Association Standards, universal precautions, CPR and First Aid, PRT, conflict resolution and behavior and crisis management
- Ability to develop and contribute to effective programming for the juvenile during his/her stay in detention
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment
- Ability to multi-task, often under time pressure
- Ability to respond swiftly, rationally, and decisively to emergency situations, despite possibility of exposure to violent/irate individuals and situations involving potential physical harm to self and others
- Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct
- Ability to maintain confidentiality to department information and records according to state requirements
- Strong computer skills including the ability to use Microsoft Office and other job-related software
- Ability to occasionally work extended hours and weekends
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The Mental Health Counselor works in a maximum-security juvenile detention center with the ability to move around with frequent sitting requiring some lifting up to twenty pounds and some bending and reaching over head and also requiring very frequent typing and proofreading with frequent attention to detail and monitoring of equipment.