Counselor-OSAR (Dallas)

NORTH TEXAS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AUTHORITY•Dallas, TX

2d•$55,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) is based in Dallas and develops a collaborative system of care for children, adolescents, and adults with severe mental illness, serious emotional disturbances, or substance use disorders. Its services emphasize trauma-informed, resilience-oriented care and cultural humility. The Counselor-OSAR provides brief substance use screenings to adults and youth with possible substance use issues, uses DSM-5 criteria to determine a preliminary diagnosis, and refers clients to appropriate recovery support services. The counselor supports clients throughout their continuum of care or treatment episode, including brief interventions and motivational counseling as needed. The role coordinates with community partners, links clients to community-based behavioral health services, helps eliminate barriers, and identifies available community resources and recovery supports. Individual needs and personal recovery goals guide this work. The position includes travel to agencies throughout NTBHA’s six-county region—Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall—to conduct screenings and provide outreach and education. Travel may vary from 20% to 100% per day. Duties may involve field or home visits, offsite meetings, co-located sites, and other business-related trips, using a fleet vehicle and/or a personal vehicle. Transporting individuals is permitted only in a company vehicle and with management approval. The position is classified as exempt and requires scheduling flexibility to meet organizational needs. The counselor works collaboratively with a supervisor while exercising initiative and sound judgment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in human services or a related field.
Fully licensed LPC, LCSW, or LCDC; interns are not eligible.
Familiarity with DSHS rules and guidelines regarding eligibility screening and availability of HHSC-funded substance use disorder treatment services.
For LCDCs who independently conduct mental health screenings: 45 hours of continuing education in treating clients with psychiatric disorders and 2,000 hours of post-licensure supervision.
Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license; the job duties section specifies a valid Texas driver’s license and automobile liability insurance, with a good driving record.
Pass and maintain a clear background record as required for a healthcare organization under state and federal contracts.
Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and ability to learn company-specific programs and software.
Ability to work with and knowledge of a personal computer.
Knowledge of HHSC Texas Resilience and Recovery program rules, regulations, and guidelines; managed care operations; and DSM-5.
Ability to work autonomously and make decisions consistent with applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of community resources, local indigent behavioral health systems and local authority, service coordination principles, objectives, standards, methods, and program policies and procedures.
Effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate ideas and complex concepts with people from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to work constructively and efficiently with other professionals and staff, community representatives, people with disabilities, and family members.
Excellent communication and documentation skills.
Flexibility to travel as required; travel may vary from 20% to 100% per day.

Responsibilities

Conduct brief substance use screenings for adults and youth who may have substance use issues.
Use DSM-5 criteria to determine a preliminary diagnosis and refer clients to appropriate recovery support services.
Provide brief interventions and motivational counseling as needed.
Support individuals throughout their continuum of care and/or treatment episode.
Coordinate with community partners and link clients to community-based behavioral health services.
Help eliminate barriers to care and identify community resources and recovery supports.
Center services on individual needs and personal recovery goals.
Travel throughout the six-county NTBHA region to conduct OSAR screenings and provide outreach and education.
Create, analyze, prepare, and maintain records, files, documents, reports, and correspondence.
Recognize problems and facilitate solutions.
Work with professionals, staff, community representatives, people with disabilities, and family members, and foster effective inter-agency and intra-agency relationships.
Attend and participate in staff meetings.
Adjust work hours as necessary to complete job responsibilities and meet organizational needs.