About The Position

The work involves performing skilled tasks in the care of inpatient or outpatient behavioral health patients at the Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMMC). The incumbent participates with other professional and paraprofessional staff as an active member in the overall care and treatment of patients suffering from a variety of psychological and/or chemical dependence problems. The incumbent may be assigned to a given inpatient unit or outpatient clinic to carry out program activities, provide direct therapy services or crisis intervention/counseling as required by program needs. The work is performed under the direct supervision of a licensed Psychologist, or higher-ranking licensed Social Worker for clinical matters. Depending on location of assignment, work may be performed under the general supervision of a professional nursing supervisor for non-clinical matters. Supervision is not a function of this position.

Requirements

  • Possession of a Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a Master’s Degree considered substantially equivalent to Social Work or Counseling as determined by the New York State Education Department.
  • Possession of a license and current registration as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) as issued by the New York State Education Department at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or: Possession of a Limited Permit to practice as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) as issued by the New York State Education Department at time of appointment and licensure and registration within one (1) year of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or: Possession of a license and current registration to practice as a Mental Health Counselor as issued by the New York State Education Department at the time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or: Possession of a Limited Permit to practice as a Mental Health Counselor as issued by the New York State Education Department at the time of appointment and licensure and registration with two (2) years of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment.
  • Possession of Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from an ECMCC approved provider within sixty (60) days of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment.
  • Completion of New York State Office of Mental Health-Bureau of Education and Workforce Development (BEWD) certified safety program within three (3) months of appointment and participation in annual re-training (if assigned to an inpatient care setting).
  • Degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, independent verification of equivalency is required.
  • Must sign the necessary clearance form for inquiry into indicated child abuse or maltreatment report on file in the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment.

Nice To Haves

  • Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.
  • Mental Health Counselor Limited Permit holders are required to have 3,000 hours of supervised experience after completion of master’s degree when applying for Mental Health Counselor license.
  • Master Social Worker license applicants have no experience requirement when applying for license, hence the difference in allowance of length of time to achieve full licensure.

Responsibilities

  • Performs behavioral health assessments and develops treatment plans using established methodologies.
  • Participates as a primary counselor to individuals, in groups and for families.
  • Participates as a team member in the treatment planning process.
  • Participates in the intake and screening of new patients.
  • Collects and maintains appropriate data from various sources such as professional staff and patient's families to establish an overall approach to the solution of the patient's mental and social problems.
  • Provides a psychosocial history for patients.
  • Provides counseling services to help patients adjust to their disabilities and social environment.
  • Provides individual treatment and/or crisis intervention under clinical supervision.
  • Provides support and guidance to the patient's family in order to accomplish treatment goals.
  • Observes and records patients' behavioral and psychiatric status, activities, responses to treatment and overall physical, behavioral and mental health condition and reports to the team.
  • Modifies treatment plans as needed.
  • Plans with the treatment team and with community agencies in order to relate the patient's treatment and rehabilitation program to the social situation prior to discharge.
  • Coordinates outpatient services with appropriate community resources.
  • Coordinates the discharge and planning for patients as assigned.
  • Participates in the development and implementation of the daily program activities.
  • Participates in the process of transferring patients to other levels of treatment as appropriate.
  • Refers clients to other governmental and non-governmental agencies.
  • Participates as a member of the team to provide quality assurance and peer-review of the treatment delivered.
  • Assists in the orientation of new staff and in staff development programs and in-service training.

Benefits

  • Non-competitive appointment (no examination required for NY HELPS Program)
  • Conversion to competitive status without a civil service test
  • Opportunity to take part in promotion examinations
  • Full-time employment
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