Mental Health Counselor 2

State of Nevada•Carson City, NV

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is for a full-time Mental Health Counselor 2 in Carson City, NV, within the Division of Public and Behavioral Health: Rural Clinics (RC). The role requires a strong understanding of counseling theories and principles, including assessment, treatment planning, mental illness symptoms, crisis intervention, case management, and psycho-diagnostic techniques. Knowledge of laws concerning client abuse and neglect is also necessary. This position is part of the Mobile Outreach Safety Team (MOST), collaborating with law enforcement to respond to mental health crises, de-escalate situations, and connect individuals with appropriate care. Responsibilities include conducting assessments, initiating crisis holds, performing welfare checks, and coordinating with community resources. The specialist will document interactions, provide follow-up, and represent the Carson City Sheriff’s Office in outreach, training, and interagency collaboration. Clinical mental health experience, crisis intervention skills, and strong communication are essential. Rural Clinics offers outpatient behavioral health services to adults and children across Rural Nevada, generally operating Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, focusing on client self-sufficiency and recovery while adhering to agency procedures and reimbursement guidelines. Positions requiring clinical licensure require the individual to be actively pursuing and maintaining licensure without lapses and in good standing with licensing boards.

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychology, social work or closely related academic field and two years of post-Master's degree professional mental health counseling experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and clinical experience at or above a Master's degree and experience as described above.
Working knowledge of theories and principles of counseling and psychotherapy.
Working knowledge of symptoms, characteristics and treatment of mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and emotional and behavioral disorders.
Working knowledge of individual, marital, group and family counseling techniques.
Working knowledge of case management practices and procedures.
Working knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
Working knowledge of treatment team dynamics.
Working knowledge of psychotropic medications including desired effects, common side effects, and drug interactions.
Working knowledge of laws governing abuse and neglect of clients/inmates.
Working knowledge of ethical standards of care and treatment.
Working knowledge of evaluation and assessment instruments.
Working knowledge of psychometric testing procedures and testing instruments.
Oral communication skills sufficient to confer with colleagues, clients/inmates and others.
Working knowledge of licensing regulations for various types of housing, residential and other living arrangements.
Working knowledge of pre-vocational training and supported employment procedures.
General knowledge of State and federal rules, regulations and laws pertaining to the agency’s mission.
General knowledge of assessments, treatment and strategies used in providing clinical services to specific populations.
General knowledge of clinical (peer) review procedures.
Ability to assess, develop and implement treatment plans and goals.
Ability to write comprehensive evaluations, reports and recommendations.
Ability to interpret intelligence tests and achievement test results.
Ability to evaluate services provided to clients and investigate complaints.
Clinical mental health experience.
Crisis intervention skills.
Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

Conduct appraisals and assessments through interviews with the client, family members and community systems, personal observations, communication with clinicians and representatives of community agencies and organizations, and utilization of standardized techniques to determine client eligibility for services and appropriate course of treatment at the least restrictive level possible.
Conduct or participate in treatment planning by attending treatment team meetings in which client goals are determined, and appropriate strategies and plans are developed and modified as necessary; coordinate and integrate services among members of treatment teams and client support systems; monitor treatment plans and evaluate effectiveness.
Provide individual, family and group counseling and consultative services to clients, their families and support systems utilizing a broad array of intervention techniques required to effectively address client problems, which may include multiple psychosocial problems within the family unit.
Utilize a family and community systems approach to develop and implement treatment plans by working with families and significant others in addition to the client; resolve client problems to prevent reoccurrence; provide recommendations for family reunification and adoption preservation.
Develop and implement after care plans; advocate for clients through interactions with other agencies, organizations, community and support systems such as the courts, welfare, school, juvenile justice, probation and parole, or other similar agencies; monitor after care services to ensure achievement of the goals identified in the treatment plan; provide support and assistance to clients and their families to facilitate the return of clients to the least restrictive environment possible.
Prepare documentation and reports to appraise the court or similar systems regarding clients’ mental and behavioral status; make observations, research client records, and integrate treatment team input to facilitate appropriate and informed decisions.
Review client charts, discuss client treatment at case staffings, or make case presentations; make individual and standardized assessments; integrate and analyze information from all available sources and systems; document quality of care and ensure information is available to other members of the treatment team; complete required forms and reports and maintain documentation to ensure compliance with established laws, regulations, policies and requirements for agency reimbursement including billing forms.
Refer clients to other agencies and organizations and identify resources based on client needs; ensure appropriate human resource services are available to the client to achieve identified treatment objectives.
Provide crisis intervention to include client restraint or appropriate behavioral and environmental controls for clients who may be hostile, combative, aggressive or assaultive; follow established protocols and policy to protect clients, staff, family and others potentially at risk due to client behavior or family dynamics.
Coordinate housing arrangements and write service contracts according to established procedures; monitor providers by conducting on-site visits to ensure quality care and services are provided according to the contract; evaluate appropriateness of housing arrangements and investigate complaints.
Develop formal training programs for agency staff and service providers by researching appropriate topics or training materials; develop training modules, present training programs, and monitor ongoing training activities; develop and maintain training budgets and supplies; and participate in professional development opportunities to acquire necessary knowledge and skills related to the assignment.
Provide workshops within the community, make public presentations, and participate in other forms of instructional activities to educate the community regarding mental health issues; establish rapport and promote understanding between the client, community and agency.
Plan and coordinate new and continuing program development activities by conducting needs assessments; determine new or existing client needs; assess community resources and determine the resources required to implement new and existing programs; provide ongoing evaluation and assessment of program goals, objectives and activities.
Provide clinical supervision of student interns, residents, and volunteers as assigned.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Conduct assessments, initiate crisis holds, perform welfare checks, and coordinate with community resources.
Document interactions and provide follow-up.
Represent the Carson City Sheriff’s Office in outreach, training, and interagency collaboration.