Job Descriptions

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Job Title: ACTT Clinical Counselor

Supervisor: ACTT Program Director

Exempt/Non-exempt: Exempt

Department: ACTT

Prepared by/Date: Amelia HowardApproved by/Date: 8/6/2013

Summary (A brief description that summarizes the overall purpose and objectives of the position, the results the worker is expected to accomplish and the degree of freedom to act.):

The Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) is designed to serve as a comprehensive treatment team providing for the periodic service needs of consumers with severe and persistent mental illnesses. The majority of services are provided in the consumer’s home/community. This employee will function as a clinical member of the ACT Team, providing needed psychotherapy, rehabilitation, and support services under the supervision of the team leader and/or the team psychiatrist. This employee (along with the entire team) is expected to help consumers avoid rehospitalization/episodes of crisis care; achieve recovery from mental illness/substance abuse issues; meet basic sustenance needs; and improve their overall quality of life, per consumers’ report. Although all services provided are included in the person-centered-plan and performed under the supervision of the ACTT program manager and psychiatrist, such supervision does not involve immediate oversight of all job functions. Therefore, this employee conducts mostof his/her work independently with a high degree of freedom to act based on clinical judgement..

Essential Functions (List the tasks, duties, and responsibilities of the position that are most important to get the job done. The responsibilities should be listed in the order of importance, with the highest priority functions first):

Service Provision: To provide treatment, rehabilitation, and supportive services. These include individual and group clinical services (including group and individual psychotherapy, symptom education, behavioral symptom-management techniques, and crisis intervention); case management/support (e.g., assisting consumers with meeting their needs in the areas of housing, financial supports, physical health, vocational interests, and recreation and socialization); support with activities of daily living (such as skill training and/or assistance in the areas of money management, performance of household activities, mealpreparation, and grooming/personal hygiene); and assistance with vocational endeavors (e.g., teaching job-seeking skills or providing job coaching).

Assessment: To conduct a comprehensive, initial assessment of each consumer’s history with a particular focus on social relationships and family history. To provide ongoing assessment of consumers’ symptoms and response to treatment, rehabilitation, and supportive services.

Coordination/Liaison: To coordinate services with all team members. Must communicate promptly and effectively any changes in a consumer’s status to the rest of the ACT Team. To coordinate services with other providers (e.g., residential staff, Social Security, local housing authorities, and inpatient facilities) as well as coordinate with housing providers in the community. To serve as liaison between the consumer/team and family members.

Documentation: To document the consumer’s progress and maintain a permanent record of each intervention/activity performed on behalf of the consumer, according to established and approved policies and procedures. To update service plans as the needs of the consumers change. To assume primary responsibility for completion and/or oversight of documentation for a defined case load.

Supervisory Responsibilities, if any (The scope of the person’s authority, including the positions that report to the incumbent.):

This employee has no supervisory responsibilities, though he/she participates in regular peer supervision with the rest of the members of the ACT Team.

Working Conditions (please complete the information listed below):

__ Usual office conditions

X Usual office conditions with occasional exposure to some undesirable elements*

__ Frequent exposure to undesirable elements*

*List the undesirable elements with the percent of the work day exposed to the elements.

  1. Home visits to residences that may be dirty/excessively smoke-filled (cigarettes) __20__%
  2. Searching for clients in areas known for street drugs, drug use, and related crime ___5___%
  3. Meeting with clients who have decompensated and become agitated/threatening ___5 __%

Physical Effort (please complete the information listed below):

The job duties require lifting or moving moderate to heavy materials as a regular part of the job. _X No __ Yes*

*List the activity requiring physical effort, the weight or effort required (in pounds) and the percent of the work day spent in actual, hand-on movement of weight:

ActivityWeight of Materials% of day

  1. ______
  2. ______
  3. ______

Minimum Job Requirements:

Education: Minimal requirements are a Master’s degree in social work/a related field or a Bachelor’s degree in a human services field.

Experience: Minimum requirements are one year of relevant experience for Master’s level applicants or three years of relevant experience for those who hold a Bachelor’s degree. Specific experience in the areas of group and individual psychotherapy, occupational therapy, psychosocial rehabilitation, housing, and case management would enhance an applicant’s ability to perform the duties of this position. Experience providing Wellness Management Recovery groups as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy preferred.

Specific skills/abilities: This position requires flexibility; sensitivity to varying cultural issues; acuity in psychosocial assessment; a demonstrated ability to share information with members of a team in a timely and accurate manner; strong organizational skills; and skills in the area of time management. Bilingual (English-Spanish) applicants desired. Must be able to get notes submitted in a timely manner, and have the ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment.

Specialized knowledge, licenses, etc: Suitable applicants will possess a knowledge of treatment modalities for persons diagnosed with mental illness. They should be familiar with the characteristic symptoms of severe and persistent mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) and have a general knowledge of psychotropic medications (their use and potential side effects). Must possess an LCSW, LCSWA, LPC or LPCA.. In addition, the employee must have a valid driver’s license and must maintain a safe driving record, acceptable to the insurance carrier for Lutheran Services Carolinas.

Success Factors (Personal characteristics that contribute to an individual’s ability to excel on the job):

These characteristics include sensitivity and the ability to form lasting relationships with persons who may have difficulty trusting. In addition, the ability to establish effective working relationships with members of community organizations – and to work collaboratively with professionals, consumers, and family members – will enhance the employee’s job performance. The successful applicant needs to be able to engage in creative problem-solving and have the ability to withstand a high degree of stress. He/she must have a demonstrated commitment to client rights and personal preferences in treatment.

This job description is not an employment contract. Lutheran Services Carolinas reserves the right to alter the job description at any time without notice.

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Employee Signature Date

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Supervisor Signature Date