SOCIAL SERVICES COUNSELOR-F/C - 60006689

State of Florida • Gainesville, FL

5d

About The Position

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)
is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.
Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.
North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center (NFETC) is a 216 bed, all male, forensic, mental health rehabilitation facility. The Center is located in northeast Gainesville, Florida on 639 picturesque acres with regular sightings of deer, turkey, and other wildlife. NFETC employs a variety of entry level to leadership positions including food service, maintenance, direct care, nurses, counselors, rehab therapists, medical doctors, security, psychiatrists, and psychologists.

NORTH FLORIDA EVALUATION AND TREATMENT FACILITY IS A TOBACCO FREE FACILITY.
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as the
Social Services Counselor- F/C within the Recovery Unit. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

• Knowledge of counseling techniques and practices.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work, nursing, education or counseling.
• Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data.
• Ability to develop treatment or rehabilitation programs.
• Ability to develop guidelines and procedures for the delivery of social services.
• Ability to develop and present staff development and training programs.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to follow through on all phases of the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of clients.
• Ability to provide casework services to clients.
• Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, education or nursing is preferred and three years of professional experience in providing social work, health education, nursing or counseling services; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, education or nursing and two years of professional experience as described above.

Responsibilities

• Will carry a clinical case load of up to 16 residents. As an active member of the recovery team counselors will participate in admissions, clinical rounds, intensive intervention assessments, and other team meetings as indicated. Counselors will attend a weekly case review group meeting with peers and assigned psychologist to process cases, identify special needs, disseminate information, provide clinical supervision, consultation and role modeling.
• Prepare clinical summaries and reports for the courts and to other agencies within established timelines. Summary development will begin upon notification of a resident's admission and will accurately reflect consensus of Recovery Team opinion as ultimately determined by attending psychiatrist.
• Develop, implement, and update recovery service plans for each assigned resident according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan. Responsible for coordinating rehabilitation activities into the recovery plan to meet the residents' goals. Counselors will be responsible for coordinating with rehabilitation staff. Modify recovery service plan to address changes in resident needs or status. Serve as liaison with community service providers to develop aftercare plans and to facilitate discharge planning. Notifies assigned psychiatrist/psychologist and nursing staff of status changes or special needs of the residents. Link assigned residents to appropriate therapeutic activities and serve as a liaison with other departments to ensure the resident receives indicated clinical services.
• Provide each assigned resident individual counseling and case management services to include contact with families, community mental health providers, and courts. Document resident issues and resolutions as indicated and per CFOP and Center policy. Serve as a coordinator and advisor to building treatment and rehabilitative staff regarding resident behavior management and responsibilities regarding implementation of all recovery service plans. Work closely with Recovery Team members to identify safety concerns regarding assigned clients and address those concerns in a timely manner. Document and communicate concerns and plans to all relevant staff.
• Develop and implement educational group counseling for residents. Provide written documentation in clinical records of sessions, progress, and delivery of services according to measurable goals described in recovery plan. Monthly progress note in chart will reflect the group services provided. Track residents’ involvement in these services and encourage residents active participation in their own recovery. Participate in the training of building staff regarding clinical issues.
• Attend, and actively participate in, monthly Building Leadership Team meetings. Attend scheduled Utilization Management Team meetings for assigned caseload and discuss barriers to discharge for all clients assigned. Work closely with QMHP assigned to Recovery Team to identify and address barriers to discharge for all assigned clients, facilitating efficient transition of residents back to the committing court as competent, or to a less restrictive setting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits.
• For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees