Mental Health Clinician

General Responsibilities

Hyacinth AIDS Foundation’s mission is to help people live with HIV, stop the spread of the epidemic, and serve as a critical voice in the public debate surrounding AIDS in New Jersey. The following foundational behaviors are expected as an employee of Hyacinth:

Service/Client Services

Consistently demonstrates respect, responsiveness, and professionalism towards others while providing superior service for our clients

• Treats each client as a priority
• Respects each client’s right to quality service, confidentiality, and dignity.
• Works with co-workers to ensure integration of services
• Displays a welcoming, helpful attitude to clients
• Establishes and maintains personal boundaries in clinical supervision with clients or co-workers

Community/Teamwork

Actively cooperates within the region and/or program and participates in the constructive resolution of conflict.

• Focuses on improving communication and collaboration
• Tries to understand the other person’s point of view when there is a challenge
• Works with all regional staff to provide a full continuum of services to clients.
• Understands local community resources and can make appropriate referrals.
• Is clear and tactful when collaborating and working with others.

Leadership

Assuming responsibility for one’s own self in the workplace and exhibiting commitment to the client and agency.

• Takes pride in his/her work
• Advances Hyacinth’s reputation for excellence.
• Incorporates boundaries and ethical guidelines into decision making.

Employees of the Agency may learn certain facts about individuals being served by the Agency that are of a highly personal and confidential nature. Examples of such information are medical conditions, sexual orientation, relations with family members and other individuals. All such information must be treated as completely confidential. All staff are required to conform to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) guidelines which require the protection of personal health information.

Position Summary

Provide brief and concise statement explaining the main purpose for the existence of this position. Provide a brief summary of the role.

Under the supervision of the HRM/CSM & the Director of Behavioral Health, the Mental Health Clinician will screen, assess and provide behavioral health counseling to participants at the Harm Reduction sites.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

In order of importance, briefly describe, in sentence form, the essential functions/major responsibilities of this position (principal duties and responsibilities of the position)

Typically, job descriptions should contain no more than seven or eight major responsibilities ranked in order of highest percentage of time to least.

Approximate Percentage of Time

Tasks/Duties/Responsibilities

80%

Client Services

• Coordinate with Harm Reduction staff to receive referrals from SAP participants
• Conduct brief mental health screenings and mental health assessments
• Additional behavioral health services may include psycho-social counseling, behavioral interventions, supportive counseling, group/individual sessions, health promotion, motivational interviewing and referrals to therapy/long term counseling
• Provide follow-up activities to ensure appropriate linkages
• Refer clients in need of detoxification, intensive outpatient or inpatient care to substance use facilities.
• Maintain a caseload of clients identified by SAP in need of ongoing behavioral counseling and support

10%

Reporting / Monitoring

§ Establish, maintain, and update client case records using approved agency forms and procedures

§ Ensure confidentiality of all records

§ Prepare monthly reports in accordance with agency policies and procedures

§ Maintain and update client information in required data systems

5%

Hyacinth Representation / Advocacy

§ Attend and participate in staff meetings and training opportunities.

§ Observe established administrative procedures.

§ Participate in the development of administrative procedures.

§ Provide written reports as required.

§ Represent the agency at community events, meetings, and conferences

§ Adhere to Hyacinth policies and procedures including client confidentiality provisions

5%

Training and Certifications

• Attend and participate in staff training opportunities

100%

Total

Other Duties Describe important tasks or duties, not mentioned above

• Commitment to Hyacinth philosophy
• Access to currently registered car and a valid driver’s license a plus

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Demonstrates understanding of objectives, duties, and responsibilities in accordance with the job description.

§ Understands job responsibilities and keeps current on skills and information needed to meet new challenges

§ Works with supervisors on areas of job responsibilities that are unclear.

Delivers quality results and balances priorities to meet all project and team commitments in a timely manner.

§ Serves as a steward of the public’s trust and money.

§ Takes responsibility for timely decisions and actions.

§ Routinely checks for accuracy in his/her own work.

Disseminates relevant information about decisions, plans and activities to team leaders and supervisors

§ Informs supervisors about decisions that affect work.

Recognizes problems and complaints and escalates to supervisors when necessary.

Requirements

Required Minimum Education : LSW, LCSW, LAC, LPC or PhD Other: dual license with LCADC preferred

Required Years of Related Experience: 2-4 years

• A minimum of two years’ experience in HIV and substance use field

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

(Include any required computer skills, certifications, licenses, languages, etc.)

• Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and interests.
• Proficiency in written and verbal communications

People Management Experience

Indicate whether supervisor/people management experience is required.

• Not applicable

Required Years of People Management Experience

• Not applicable

Preferred Qualifications

Consider and identify qualifications that are not required to perform the job but would be extremely helpful to performing the job.

Preferred Minimum Education

§ LSW, LCSW, LAC, LPC or PhD

Other

§ None

Preferred Area of expertise

§ HIV, substance use

Preferred Related Industry Experience

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

(Include any preferred computer skills, certifications, licenses, languages, etc.)

• Proficiency in written and verbal communication, critical thinking and decision-making skills