Clinical Mental Health Professional (Counselor)

Travis County•Austin, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at either the Travis County Jail or the Travis County Correctional Complex and focuses on supporting inmates who have serious mental illness. Clinical Mental Health Professionals work with our inmate population to assess, observe, and monitor patient status and assist in creating individualized treatment plans. Our Clinical Mental Health Professionals work 10-hour shifts, 4 days a week, with three days off each week or 8- hour days, five days a week. We have schedules that include 6AM-4PM, 8AM-6PM, and 4PM-2AM. All schedule options may include a weekend shift. This is a great position for someone who wants to develop their social work or counseling skills in a rewarding and fast-paced environment and wants a competitive Total Rewards Package. Travis County offers one of the highest-rated retirement plans. We also offer vacation and sick leave, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, personal holidays, 12 company-observed holidays, and longevity pay. This is the first in a series of three (3) Clinical Mental Health Professional job classifications within the Social Services family and provides professional mental health services to inmates incarcerated in the Travis County Jail. This classification is distinguished from other Correctional Mental Health Professionals in that most activities are conducted under clinical supervision of senior mental health professionals. This classification requires work in a secure facility with inmates who have serious mental health illnesses and requires a flexible schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Requirements

Master's Degree in Counseling, Social Work or Psychology
One (1) year social service experience.
Valid Texas Driver's License.
Applicants are required to attach a resume with the online application.
At least one of the following: Licensed Masters of Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Psychologist
Those with temporary, provisional, associate or intern LPC, LMFT or Psychologist licenses must provide documentation of on-going clinical supervision during employment until full licensure is achieved.
Documentation of full licensure must be provided within 2 years of employment.
Knowledge of: Mental illness, substance use, intellectual & developmental disabilities, head and traumatic brain injuries.
Treatment and counseling strategies to address maladaptive behaviors.
Criminogenic risk factors that lead to incarceration.
Proper documentation practices.
Preventative management strategies of aggressive individuals.
Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
Knowledge of and adherence to HIPAA and other federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.
Skill in: Active listening, critical thinking, active learning, service orientation, assertiveness, sound judgment and decision making.
Effective communication with those impacted by symptoms of mental illness such as depression, anxiety, mania and hallucinations.
Development of treatment plans.
Problem solving.
Use of Electronic Medical Record, Microsoft Office Suite and other basic computer applications.
Both verbal and written communication.
Ability to: Discern potential problems and involve appropriate staff in problem solving.
Resolve conflict and work with resistant patients to meet treatment goals.
Maintain a safe and secure environment.
Interact with patients in a caring manner.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, other County employees and officials, community outreach and other organizations, clinical service providers, law enforcement personnel and the general public.

Nice To Haves

Two (2) years' paid experience in the counseling, social work, human services, education or criminal justice fields providing direct services to individuals.
Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP)

Responsibilities

Works with clinical autonomy and provides direct care to inmate-patients in the Travis County Jail who have serious mental illness by assessing, observing, and monitoring patient status, developing treatment plans, and reporting and documenting results.
Works as part of a treatment team to improve, restore, and maintain the patient’s level functioning while minimizing symptoms, exacerbation of chronic illness, impairments, and disabilities by utilizing an individualized treatment.
Maintain safety and security of self, others and facility at all times.
Completes regularly assigned screening and assessment of patient suicidal behavior, mental illness, substance use and vulnerabilities.
Observes and monitors patient's physical, mental and emotional well-being by looking for behavior patterns and reporting observations to treatment team.
Develops patient treatment plans.
Completes daily documentation of patient status.
Reports and documents any issues, concerns or problems with medications, or changes in patient mental or physical health.
Participates as a member of the treatment team.
Communicates patient treatment plans and concerns with mental health and medical staff and corrections officers.
Performs other job related duties as assigned.