Mental Health Practitioner/Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor

POSITION TITLE: Mental Health Practitioner/Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor

DEPARTMENT: Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT)

GENERAL HOURS

OF WORK: Monday through Friday. Some after hours on-call, weekdays, weekends and overnights.

EXEMPT/NON EXEMPT: Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR: ACT Team Lead

POSITION SUMMARY: Provides a continuum of substance abuse services including assessment, education and support for both recipients of ACT services and the ACT team and provides rehabilitative and support services to identified clients with severe and persistent mental illness.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

1. Bachelor's degree in a human service field from an accredited University/College or equivalent education and experience preferred.

2. Minnesota Mental Health Practitioner Status obtained through education and/or experience.

3. State of Minnesota Department of Health, Alcohol & Drug Counselor Licensure required.

4. If recovering from chemical dependency, a minimum of two years of continuous sobriety is required, as well as continuing participation in aftercare activities.

5. Good verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Perform all duties in accordance with policies and procedures of the Center and ACT Team, and adhere to all compliance measures.

2. Perform as a member of a multidisciplinary staff using a total team approach providing services including client center comprehensive assessment, development of comprehensive treatment plan and on-going evaluation of mental illness symptoms and response to treatment as directed to recipients with a serious mental illness who requires intensive services.

3. Provide lead in assessing, planning, support and training to team members; delivers assessment, referral and support; monitors progress in rehabilitative treatment.

4. Uses motivational interviewing; a stage-wise treatment model that is non-confrontational; and has gradual expectation of clientele abstinence.

5. Participates in and is responsive to ACT Team quality assurance procedures, cooperates with ACT Team review and utilization procedures, and follows established procedures.

6. Coordinates assistance for clients with other community professionals, also serves as a resource, advocate, and liaison.

7. Participates in staff organizational meetings and treatment planning review meetings per established meeting routine.

8. Provides on-call intervention as delegated by Team Lead.

9. Participates in the discharge planning process for a recipient being discharged from an Intensive Residential Services facility or inpatient hospital setting.

10. Participates in transitioning recipients to appropriate level of care when discharged from ACT services.

11. Available for minimal evening and weekend work as required by ACT Team.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Ability to travel as position requires.

2. Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

3. Is sensitive and responsive to management needs such as data collection and program evaluation.

REQUIRED COMMUNICATION/MATHEMATICAL/REASONING SKILLS:

• Must possess the required level of skills and abilities to read, write, speak, and apply mathematical concepts and sound reasoning to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.

• Must be able to perform basic operations on a computer within the Windows operating system.

• This position requires problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, and the ability to multi-task.

REQUIRED PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.

• The employee frequently is required to walk.

• The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms.

• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

RESPONSIBILITIES, EXPECTATIONS & STANDARDS:

• Commitment to the daily application of SWMHC's mission, to serve patients, their families and our community.

• Maintain confidentiality.

• Work effectively in a team environment, coordinating work flow with other team members and ensuring a productive and efficient environment.

• Carry out duties and responsibilities in compliance with Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• May be exposed to communicable diseases when working in a health care environment.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS: The individual must be able to work the hours specified above. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform the essentials functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, so long as the accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the employer.

This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

The policy of Avera to provide opportunities for all qualified employees or applicants without regard to disability and to provide reasonable accommodations for all employees or applicants who may be disabled. Avera is committed to ensuring compliance in accordance with the Americans with Disability Act. For assistance, please contact HR Now at ~~~.

Additional Notices

For TTY, dial 711

Avera is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer: Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.