CDOC Mental Health Counselor Social Worker/Counselor II (Denver)

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position provides professional mental health services to inmates, including formal and informal mental health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions. The role involves assuring accurate Information System mental health needs levels, providing group, brief, and individual therapy, and crisis intervention, including participation in a 24-hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation. The counselor will also ensure both emergency and non-emergency transfers for inmates experiencing acute mental health needs, provide clinical direction to non-clinical staff, and ensure continuity of care through appropriate referrals and documentation. Responsibilities include documenting inmate mental health records accurately and timely, monitoring inmate treatment, listening to inmate concerns, and providing counseling. The role also emphasizes promoting and being accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations and sensitive item contraband control, and reporting any safety and security violations to a supervisor. Additionally, the position requires attending assigned training programs, including self-defense courses.

Requirements

• Current, valid Colorado license or registered candidate as a: Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) OR Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Candidate (LMFTC) OR Addiction Counselor Candidate (ADDC)
• Must maintain required registration/permit/licensure as applicable to this assignment
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing
• Must be 21 years of age
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Have NO felony convictions
• Applicants must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application
• Successfully pass all modules of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security
• Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury
• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations
• Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner
• Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed inmates
• Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings
• Willing and able to travel
• Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire
• Successful completion of a background investigation is required

Nice To Haves

• Graduation with a master's or doctoral degree in a mental health field such as counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy or psychology from a program accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT or COAMFTE) or American Psychological Association (APA)
• License eligible as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Work, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Psychologist
• Experience providing mental health treatment in a correctional environment
• Ability to provide professional mental health or sex inmate treatment to inmates
• Individual must be efficient
• Able to participate in 24 hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across facility programs and with external agencies
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to provide comprehensive clinical documentation
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind
• Self-control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations
• Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift
• Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high-stakes interaction

Responsibilities

• Provides professional mental health services to inmates to include formal and informal mental health evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and clinical interventions
• Assures accurate Information System mental health needs levels, including Psychiatric and Developmental Disability needs level codes
• Provides group, brief, and individual therapy, and crisis intervention to include participation in 24 hour Mental Health On-Call Rotation
• Assures both emergency and non-emergency transfer for inmates experiencing acute mental health needs
• Provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff in mental health care and treatment of inmates
• Assures continuity of care for inmates by making appropriate referral and providing necessary information and documentation for receiving units, facilities, or agencies
• Documents both handwritten and electronically in an accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive inmate mental health records
• Monitors inmate treatment and listens to inmate concerns and provides counseling and direction
• Promotes and is accountable for the safety and security of the clinical and correctional environment through conscientious observations, and sensitive item contraband control
• Informs supervisor of any violations of safety and security through the report writing process
• Attends training programs as assigned, including self-defense course to ensure self protection skills

Benefits

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick time
• Employee wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs
• Training opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED