Behavioral Health Specialist, Social Work/Counselor III - Pueblo Youth Services Center

State of Colorado•Pueblo, CO

22h•Onsite

About The Position

This position functions as a mental health counselor within the Division of Youth Services (DYS) at the Pueblo Youth Services Center. The role provides mental health and case management services to committed and detained youth, addressing behavioral and psychiatric problems often stemming from trauma-related issues. The specialist will conduct clinical assessments, monitor medication effectiveness, provide individual, group, and family therapies, perform suicide risk assessments, write reports, and coordinate mental health services with a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). The position utilizes approved DYS Evidence Based Curricula and supports the DYS treatment model and Sanctuary principles. The specialist is expected to stay current on emerging practices in treating complex mental health populations and behavioral/sensory interventions.

Requirements

Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as a: Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
One (1) year of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.
Be a minimum of 21 years of age.
No felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Full background check and reference check required.
State of Colorado residency at the time of application and throughout employment.
Possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
Successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training.
Successful completion of the Diana Screen®.
Work experience must be specifically documented on your application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application.
Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Nice To Haves

Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.

Responsibilities

Maintains a caseload and conducts individual, group, and family therapy sessions using evidence-based treatment theories for adolescents.
Interprets treatment issues, problems, expectations, and changes in behavior for residents and families.
Documents and assesses the effectiveness of specific interventions toward program progression and youth stabilization.
Provides therapeutic services using a strength-based approach and holistic manner.
Collaborates with the medical team and psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medication assessment or continuation.
Collaborates with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services are provided.
Seeks out additional resources as necessary to ensure the best approach to treating the youth.
Provides therapy in a manner that is consistent with the youth’s ability, taking into account any necessary modifications.
Supports agency services of cognitive behavioral-based interventions, social learning theory, and motivational interviewing.
Actively engages family/caregivers in the process of stabilizing and transitioning youth to placement.
Assesses progress and barriers to progress, and documents all case management and therapeutic services in the Fusion Electronic Health Record system.
Follows Sanctuary/ROCK Program guidelines.
Facilitates Community Review Teams as needed for Individual Growth and Change Plans.
Reviews assessment data and recommendations with youth, gathers historical information, develops therapeutic rapport, and ensures confidentiality.
Engages parents/family members, guardians, and referring agents to obtain relevant collateral and supportive data.
Recognizes signs and symptoms of serious mental illness (per DSM-5 standards), exacerbation of symptoms, decompensation or improvement of mental health status.
Completes a brief mental health status exam.
Makes recommendations and develops alternate interventions for youth not responding positively to programming.
Demonstrates knowledge of suicide risk indicators and performs ongoing suicide risk assessments.
Provides input in conjunction with other transition specialists to transition planning and services.
Coordinates with YSSIII, Client Managers, and milieu staff in the implementation of milieu interventions.
Collaborates with client manager and MDT initial MDT staffing when needed.
Refers to psychiatrists as needed.
Determines appropriate, strengths-based treatment goals and objectives for youth.
Determines appropriate individuals to provide treatment and other services to youth per treatment plan.
Maintains a thorough knowledge of federal confidentiality regulations (42 C.F.R. Part 2 and HIPAA) and all Colorado Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division Rules.
Stays current on literature and emerging research in the best practices of treating juvenile mental health, substance abuse issues, and co-occurring disorders.
Trains others in the facility in best practice treatment delivery approaches.
Participates in orientation, educational workshops, mental health, co-occurring disorders, and substance abuse discipline meetings, and trainings.
Guides staff by modeling interventions, recommending practices and resident assignments.
Participates in initial case reviews of all new youth, assists in group placement, and assists in case consultation.
Provides trainings and consultation on a local/agency level.
Maintains all professional certifications and licensure.
Actively participates in own professional growth and continued trainings, research and CEU’s.
Participates in clinical supervision with the clinical director.
Participates in supervision to remain in good standing for license renewals.
Participates in treatment team meetings and briefings.
Provides input on decisions around milieu programming.
Provides input on implementation of treatment goals and objectives within the milieu.
Provides input in the development of additional treatment program options.
Documents in approved EHR a treatment note for all individual and group sessions in DAP format.
Identifies appropriate information to be recorded and the appropriate place to record it.
Identifies appropriate parties to receive information on youth treatment and the most appropriate mode of communication.