Cognitive Counselor

Alpharus Health • Malone, FL

12d • Onsite

About The Position

Alpharus Health is a national nonprofit behavioral health provider offering substance use and mental health treatment. The Cognitive Counselor works at Jackson Correctional Institution in Malone, Florida, providing cognitive interventions and educational programming to clients in a correctional healthcare setting. The role supports clients in understanding and taking responsibility for change while developing coping and behavior-management skills.

The counselor prepares and conducts group sessions and educational programs, documents intervention plans and client progress, develops discharge plans, and maintains accurate client records. The role also monitors and reports client progress and incidents, participates in staff meetings, communicates with institutional staff and outside agencies, and provides support, intervention, direction, and conflict resolution. Other duties may be assigned.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, or psychology and two years of related experience. A master’s degree, five or more years of experience, and experience in forensic counseling are preferred. The compensation range begins at $27.34 per hour, with starting rates based on experience, qualifications, and relevant skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, or psychology.
• Two years of related experience.
• Basic knowledge of group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution, and intervention techniques based on client maturation level.
• Strong knowledge of word-processing software for completing forms, reports, and correspondence.
• Strong communication skills to provide support, intervention, direction, and conflict resolution; interact effectively with family members; and maintain contacts with outside agencies and referral sources or services.
• Basic analytical skills to prepare cognitive intervention plans and complete progress evaluations and related reports.
• Active listening skills and social perceptiveness.
• Ability to read and interpret policies and instructions.
• Ability to understand medication side effects and their impact on clients.
• Adaptability and flexibility, including the ability to shift priorities.
• Ability to read, write, understand, and follow written instructions.
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, or audit information and data.
• Ability to record, proofread, and check documents and files for accuracy.
• Ability to respond to telephones and hear and detect alarms and unusual noises.
• Ability to walk and move about facilities for up to two hours at a time to monitor and interact with clients.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, or psychology.
• Five or more years of related experience.
• Experience in a forensic counseling setting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare appropriate cognitive intervention plans in accordance with established standards and deadlines.
• Prepare and conduct group educational sessions according to intervention programming plans; facilitate discussion and interaction; and help group members understand responsibility for change and acquire coping and behavior-management skills.
• Document cognitive intervention plans, evaluations, weekly progress notes, and discharge summaries.
• Update and maintain complete and accurate client records, including direct service hours and activity or group participation, in accordance with organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual standards.
• Prepare and conduct educational programs and lectures on scheduled topics related to thinking for change, cognitive intervention, life skills, problem solving, behavior modification, and anger management.
• Develop client discharge plans.
• Regularly report client observations, incidents, unusual occurrences, caseload activities, and results to the supervisor.
• Participate in staff meetings to review client progress and intervention programming and recommend program continuation or modification.
• Assist the team in maintaining a consistent program setting and in planning and coordinating client interaction events.
• Maintain regular communication with onsite institutional staff about clients’ progress in cognitive programming.
• Prepare written reports and correspondence.
• Provide effective support, intervention, direction, and conflict resolution.
• Maintain effective contacts with outside agencies and referral sources or services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums.
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health.
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance paid for by Alpharus Health.
• Life and AD&D insurance paid for by Alpharus Health.
• Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• 18 paid time-off days per year, with accrual rates increasing with years of service.
• 9 paid company holidays.
• Training and development programs.
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 per calendar year.
• Access to online courses that provide CEUs and job-related training.
• Clinical supervision, including formal and informal guidance.
• Annual performance reviews, with merit increase eligibility determined by employee performance and organizational financial performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level