Behavioral Health Counselor – Community Integration Home (CIH) - Augusta GA

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, DBHDD operates six field offices and five hospitals throughout the state within three program areas: behavioral health, developmental disabilities and hospital services.

The main office for DBHDD is located in downtown Atlanta.

Job Title:  Behavioral Health Counselor – Community Integration Home (CIH) - Augusta GA

Pay Grade:  I

 Job Description, Responsibilities, Standards, and Qualifications

The physical address for this position is in Augusta, GA

Under general supervision, counsel with emphasis on prevention and/or behavior modification; perform a wide range of duties for assigned functions or program areas, duties may be complex in nature and may involve access to confidential information.  

·        Works with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental health.

·        May help individuals deal with addictions and substance abuse, family, parenting, and marital problems, suicide, stress management, problems with self-esteem, and issues associated with aging and mental and emotional health.

·        Act as client advocate in order to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.

·        Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, and tests.

·        Counsel clients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life. Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.

·        Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition based on review of client information.

·        Maintain confidentiality of records relating to client's treatment.

·        Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan. Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.

Summary of essential job functions

Monitors resident’s behaviors and psychiatric symptoms and intervenes appropriately as needed.

1. Identifies emerging psychiatric symptoms and consults with appropriate clinicians in a timely manner to ensure proper mental health services are initiated.
2. Conducts individual counseling sessions with residents during transitional periods and as needed to help the residents improve their coping skills through the use of basic behavioral modification and social learning principles.
3. Constructs behavioral contracts for problem behaviors with residents and educates staff and the residents regarding the implantation of the contract.
4. Provides positive reinforcements to resident’s courage appropriate behaviors. 
5. Counsels with residents and staff regarding specific behavioral problems, daily decision making, and conflict resolutions, as required.

Coordinates residents’ medication supplies, monitors medication inventories and refills, and audits all medication documentation.

1. Coordinates residents’ medication supplies upon admission, during stay, and prior to discharge.
2. Monitors medication inventories and coordinates refills as needed to ensure residents have adequate supplies.
3. Assists in monitoring medication funds for residents’ medication and physician copayments.
4. Audits all documentation of residents’ medications and medical supplies (i.e. MARs, progress notes, inventories, refill logbooks…) to ensure that all records follow CIH/ECRH/DBHDD regulations.

Assess, create, and evaluate residents’ recovery needs.

a.     Conducts and coordinates assessments with residents upon admission.

b.     Educates staff regarding assessments and how the results pertain to the residents’ treatment goals.

c.      Creates appropriate recovery goals based on assessments and following DBHDD standards upon a resident’s admission.

d.     Manages all Georgia Collaborative registration, updates, discharges, and documentation for residents, at 90-day intervals, or as needed. 

e.     Evaluates residents’ recovery goals at three-month intervals and creates new recovery goals for them every six month, documenting in the CIH IRP process.

 Monitors Intensive Residential Rehabilitation services. 

1. Monitors all residential rehabilitation classes conducted by staff to ensure clinical value, appropriateness to recovery goals and adequate documentation.
2. Completes weekly summary reports of “Intensive Residential Services: (psychoeducational groups plus all activities and supportive services).
3. Creates and modifies teaching materials for staff use, including a class outline and sufficient information and interactive interventions.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)

Has been trained and adheres to established policies on privacy and security requirements for compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA"), as applicable by Agency policy.

Other supports / duties for the team as assigned.

Qualifications

Master's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university OR Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university AND Two years of related experience OR One year of experience at the lower level Behavioral Hlth Counselor 1 (HCP100) or position equivalent. Note: Some positions may require certification or licensure.

Preferred Qualifications:

Proficient Computer skills including Word, Excel, Adobe Pro, and PowerPoint.

Good communication and phone skills.

Excellent customer service skills.

Benefits 
In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. For more information, visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/benefits 

Employment Requirements 
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, individuals and communities we serve, certain positions within DBHDD may require evaluations, vaccinations, professional licensure and certifications. Licenses must be current and enable providers to practice within the State of Georgia. 

The following are a listing of evaluations and vaccinations that may be required for employees, including those not involved with direct care: 

-    Drug Screening
-    TB Evaluation
-    Annual Influenza*

*Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

DBHDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer 
It is the policy of DBHDD to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other  characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. 

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. 

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified. 

When applying for this position, you will be asked if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position as stated below and may possibly be presented with additional questions to assess preferred qualifications. Preference will be given to applicants who meet one or more of the preferred qualifications and have demonstrated relevant experience clearly indicated in their work history. 

FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE BACKGROUND CHECK AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.