RESIDENTIAL COUNSELOR II

Nueces County

13d•Onsite

About The Position

This position performs administrative and initial assessment procedures to include initial screening for program appropriateness for admission to Residential Services. Ensures appropriate file order and maintains required case file documentation. Conducts case file audits of active cases to ensure required documentation and quality assurance. Responsible for psych-social histories, prepares and monitors resident’s Individual Treatment Plans in addition to providing individual, group and family counseling as required. Staffs resident progress in clinical staffing for level advancement and prepares required documentation. Teaches life skills, facilitates treatment groups, and refers residents to outside community agencies for education and treatment. This position conducts orientation for new residents during which program rules, their rights, regulations, policies and procedures along with explaining rules governing resident conduct and infractions that can lead to disciplinary action or discharge from the program are discussed. Counselors also remind residents of consequences of rule violations. Counselors identify and evaluate resident's strengths, weaknesses, problems and needs for development of the treatment plan. Identifies and ranks problems needing resolution for each resident. Establishes agreed upon immediate short- term and long- term goals and decides on a treatment process and the community to in-house resources to be utilized. Counselors are responsible for exploring resident's problems and the ramifications of the problems to include examining the resident's attitudes and feelings. This position performs case management activities to bring services, resources, family or other significant people together within a planned framework to achieve desired goals after considering alternative solutions and assist residents with decision making. Counselors will demonstrates responsibility for keeping current on policies and procedures of the residential program, CSCD and CJAD standards. Directly provides court testimony in a factual and objective manner when called upon by the Court. Completes discharge summaries for Court hearings, probation reviews, and discharges. Counsels residents during acute emotional or physical distress and/or to address other concerns and additionally. Supervises and monitors resident’s progress. Develops aftercare Plans with resident for Residential Supervision Officers prior to graduation. Counselors are responsible for coordinating documentation of client referrals to outside agencies. Attends and participates during in-house training and maintains all educational and training requirements for CJAD and Texas Department of State Health Services. Coordinates with Treatment Assistants, and Treatment Supervisors to resolve any problems and ensure quality provisions of services to clients within programmatic guidelines. Staffing or participating in hearings regarding major disciplinary problematic clients; participate in grievances and disciplinary issues. All Counselors conduct timely audits on closed files. All employees may be delegated additional duties as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor.

Requirements

High school diploma or High school equivalency (GED).
Must hold a license at the time of application: Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Counselor Intern (CI), or Licensed Professional Counselor Intern (LPCI).
If using a personal or CSCD or County Vehicle, must possess a valid Texas driver’s license and appropriate liability insurance.
Knowledge of or willingness to learn the Texas criminal justice system and substance abuse counseling principles.
Demonstrated knowledge of automated systems and their procedures and applications to service programs.
Demonstrated knowledge of modern principles of criminology, psychology, behavior modification, case management, counseling theories, social casework techniques, legal statutes and regulations related to community supervision of defendants.
Demonstrated knowledge of available resources in the community, Cognitive Programming and Twelve Step Recovery Programs as well as other Therapeutic and Relapse Prevention Methodologies.
Provable and applicable knowledge of and adherence to Professional Code of Ethics and Professional Standards.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Familiarity with various computer programs to include: Theranest, Microsoft Office and E-mail.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships and work effectively with other officials, agencies, employees, defendants, and the general public.
Ability to work with hostile, aggressive, and criminally minded population.
Ability to understand and follow directions, instructions, policies and operational plans.
Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate facts and develop individual case planning and disposition.
Ability to plan and execute work.
Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience is preferred.
Harm reduction credentials and training is a plus.

Responsibilities

Performs administrative and initial assessment procedures for program appropriateness for admission to Residential Services.
Ensures appropriate file order and maintains required case file documentation.
Conducts case file audits of active cases for documentation and quality assurance.
Prepares and monitors resident’s Individual Treatment Plans.
Provides individual, group, and family counseling.
Staffs resident progress in clinical staffing for level advancement.
Teaches life skills and facilitates treatment groups.
Refers residents to outside community agencies for education and treatment.
Conducts orientation for new residents regarding program rules, rights, regulations, policies, procedures, and consequences of rule violations.
Identifies and evaluates resident's strengths, weaknesses, problems, and needs for treatment plan development.
Establishes short-term and long-term goals and decides on treatment processes and resources.
Explores resident's problems and their ramifications, including attitudes and feelings.
Performs case management activities to coordinate services, resources, and people to achieve goals.
Assists residents with decision-making.
Stays current on policies and procedures of the residential program, CSCD, and CJAD standards.
Provides court testimony when called upon.
Completes discharge summaries for court hearings, probation reviews, and discharges.
Counsels residents during acute emotional or physical distress and addresses other concerns.
Supervises and monitors resident’s progress.
Develops aftercare Plans with residents for Residential Supervision Officers prior to graduation.
Coordinates documentation of client referrals to outside agencies.
Attends and participates in in-house training and maintains educational and training requirements.
Coordinates with Treatment Assistants and Supervisors to resolve problems and ensure quality services.
Participates in hearings regarding major disciplinary problematic clients, grievances, and disciplinary issues.
Conducts timely audits on closed files.
May be delegated additional duties by the immediate supervisor.