Counselor Program Support (53297)

Westcare • Pinellas, FL

6d

About The Position

The Counselor – Program Support provides counseling and clinical support across assigned residential and outpatient programs according to program needs, staffing levels, client census, vacancies, absences, and other coverage requirements. This role is a flexible clinical resource and may serve different programs, locations, levels of care, and schedules to maintain continuity of client services. The Counselor delivers individual, group, and family counseling; screens and assesses clients; develops and monitors Individual Treatment/Service Plans (ITP/ISP); completes clinical documentation; participates in interdisciplinary treatment teams; provides crisis intervention; supports discharge planning; and coordinates referrals and ancillary services.

The position requires quickly adapting to the policies, workflows, client populations, documentation requirements, and service delivery models of each assigned program while maintaining consistent clinical, ethical, regulatory, and organizational standards. Work takes place across residential, outpatient, office, community, and other assigned settings. Regular travel between program locations and schedule flexibility are required. Assignments and schedules may vary with operational and client service needs. The role involves direct contact with clients with varied backgrounds, diagnoses, functioning, ages, and treatment needs, including in fast-paced or emotionally charged environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in counseling, social work, psychology, nursing, rehabilitation, special education, health education, or a related human services field.
• Ability to adapt quickly to different programs, client populations, levels of care, and service delivery environments.
• Ability to organize and prioritize responsibilities while transitioning between programs and assignments.
• Ability to learn and consistently follow program-specific clinical, documentation, contractual, and operational requirements.
• Ability to work independently and effectively integrate into multiple interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong clinical judgment and ability to respond appropriately to changing client and program needs.
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule based on program coverage needs.
• Ability and willingness to travel between assigned program locations as required.
• Ability to maintain continuity, professionalism, and quality of services in changing environments.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare vehicle insurance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a successful background clearance.
• CPR certification, First Aid certification, and an annual tuberculosis test.
• Ability to meet new requirements, potentially including vaccinations issued by local, state, federal, or funding authorities, if WestCare must comply with them.
• Ability to perform essential duties with or without accommodation, including mobility and physical activity; standing and walking on even and uneven surfaces; sitting for extended periods; bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, and occasionally lifting and carrying up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to use computer and telephone systems, including typing, writing, and handling files.
• Ability to use approved physical de-escalation techniques to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations.
• Ability to speak and hear sufficiently to exchange information and communicate detailed or important instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly when required.
• Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at a distance.
• Ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Ability to cooperate and exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions with clients, coworkers, managers, the public, and employees at all levels.
• Ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings and use approved mental or verbal de-escalation techniques in mentally or verbally abusive situations.

Nice To Haves

• CAP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide temporary, supplemental, and ongoing counseling coverage within assigned residential and outpatient programs based on operational and client service needs.
• Accept assignments across programs, locations, shifts, and levels of care as directed to support continuity of services and staffing coverage.
• Provide individual, group, and family counseling consistent with the assigned program and client population.
• Conduct client screenings, assessments, and interviews to determine needs, service appropriateness, treatment recommendations, and referrals.
• Develop, implement, review, and update Individual Treatment/Service Plans based on client strengths, needs, abilities, preferences, and treatment goals.
• Complete accurate and timely clinical documentation, including assessments, progress notes, treatment plans and reviews, discharge documentation, and other required records.
• Learn and follow the clinical procedures, documentation standards, schedules, workflows, and contractual or regulatory requirements of each assigned program.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and collaborate with program staff on client progress, treatment needs, referrals, care transitions, and discharge planning.
• Monitor and assess client behavior, progress, participation in treatment, and changes in clinical needs.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation and take appropriate action to support the safety of clients, employees, and others.
• Help maintain continuity of scheduled groups, counseling sessions, assessments, and other required clinical services during staffing shortages or coverage gaps.
• Coordinate and make appropriate referrals for ancillary, continuing-care, community-based, and other supportive services.
• Communicate with leadership and assigned program teams about client needs, clinical concerns, coverage needs, and continuity-of-care issues.
• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical and professional standards in interactions with clients and employees.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable federal, state, contractual, accreditation, and organizational requirements governing client services and clinical records.
• Remain flexible and ready to transition between assignments as organizational and program needs change.
• Report unusual incidents, safety concerns, and other matters requiring leadership or regulatory notification under established procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance and availability necessary to provide consistent coverage across assigned programs.
• Follow WestCare policies and procedures and embody WestCare Foundation’s mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time