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

State of Colorado•Greeley, CO

7d•Onsite

About The Position

This position functions as a mental health counselor within the Division of Youth Services (DYS) at the Platte Valley Youth Services Center. The role is responsible for providing mental health and case management services to committed and detained youth. Services include clinical assessment, monitoring medication effectiveness, individual, group, and family therapies, suicide risk assessment, report writing, and coordination with a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). The youth served often have behavioral and/or psychiatric problems resulting from trauma-related issues. The position utilizes approved DYS Evidence Based Curricula and supports the DYS treatment model and Sanctuary principles.

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.
Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
Must be a Colorado state resident.

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.
Documents and assesses the effectiveness of specific interventions toward program progression and youth stabilization.
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.
Assesses progress, and barriers to progress, and documents all case management and therapeutic services in the Fusion Electronic Health Record system.
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 youth engagement.
Engages parents/family members, significant others, 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.
Possesses knowledge of suicide risk indicators, with ability to offer on-going suicide risk assessments of youth.
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 for treatment practice.
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 CEUs.
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 most appropriate mode of communication.

Benefits

PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
Employee Wellness program
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program