Job Summary:

Under broad supervision, provides rehabilitation counseling services, referral services, and resident evaluation to assigned clients.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

 Responsibility 1   Performs and/or directs intake services to youth

1.     Performs or directs mental health screening of youth in accordance with policy

2.     Ensures all intake screenings are completed within time guidelines outlined in policy

Responsibility 2   Directs or completes mental health assessments of youth

1.     Interviews youth and/or families using acceptable techniques that are appropriate for the individual's level of functioning to obtain necessary information regarding medical, social and/or emotional background.

2.     Contacts other health care professionals within or outside the organization as necessary to obtain background information on the youth.

3.     Reviews youth’s record for background information.

4.     Considers all available information to identify psycho-social stressors, strengths, challenges, risks, level of functioning and needs.

5.     Completes a written mental health in accordance with accepted professional standards, DJJ policy, OBHS guidance and direction from clinical supervisor.

6.     Based on assessment findings determines appropriate services and alternate plans of care

7.     Makes necessary referal to other providers as indicated by findings in the youth’s mental health assessment.

8.     Documents referrals, recommendations and plans in a timely manner.

9.     Correctly files assessments and/or updates in youth’s record.

Responsibility 3   Provides therapeutic counseling to individuals, groups or families, to effect positive change in the youth’s behavior and/or social situations.

1.     Complies with regulations on confidentiality of information as specified by agency policy.

2.     Develops and implements treatment plans and/or crisis management plans in a timely manner. 

3.     Conducts individual treatment sessions to provide appropriate support, guidance and direction to enhance the youth’s personal and social development.

4.     Facilitates group therapy sessions using accepted therapeutic methods to promote planned change.

5.     Provides crisis intervention services in a timely manner to youth who present with serious and imminent risk of harm to self or others due to mental health concerns 

6.     Provides on-call, evening and weekend coverage to provide for the mental health needs of youth. 

7.     Provide consultation and guidance to other staff who interact with youth to ensure that supervision and care is provided in a consistent manner to promote positive adjustment, safety and development of the youth.

Responsibility 4   Leads or participates as a member of a treatment team to identify youths’ strengths, resources, symptoms, and psychological challenges to develop and monitor an effective plan of treatment.  

1.     Presents a complete and accurate summary of assessment to treatment team members at treatment team meetings.

2.     Participates in the identification of youth’s strengths and weaknesses and the selection of appropriate treatment goals and interventions.

3.     Provides appropriate clinical input into the development of the youth’s treatment plans.

4.     Initiates appropriate changes in the youth’s treatment plan at treatment team meetings based on reassessment of therapeutic needs.

5.     Communicates accurately and clearly to the youth and his/her family members/significant others the identified treatment goals and services.

6.     Monitors the youth’s progress through interview, observation, input of team members, chart reviews, or other methods. Accurately conveys progress information to family members/significant others as appropriate.

7.     Writes concise, accurate, clear progress notes in the youth’s mental health record as required by policy.  

Responsibility 5   Prepares and submits required reports and other documentation.  

1.     Prepares accurate reports as required by departmental policies and local operating procedures.

2.     Submits all reports, forms and other documentation in a timely manner. Presents a complete and accurate verbal summary of reports to treatment team members during team meetings.

3.     Prepares and submits required reports and other documentation. 

Responsibility 6   Engages in clinical supervision to facilitate development of clinical knowledge, skills and professional integrity of mental health services provided to youth

1.     Participates actively in clinical supervision sessions as required by policy.

2.     Contacts clinical supervisor(s) for consultation or clinical supervision whenever the clinician encounters a situation that poses substantial ethical or clinical challenges.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of job-related experience; or two (2) years of experience at the lower level Social Svcs Prgm Coord 1 (SSP030) or position equivalent. Note: Some positions require eligibility for licensure

Agency Qualifications:

Social Services Provider 1 Master`s degree from an accredited college or university in Psychology, Social Work , Marriage and Family therapy, Rehabilitation Counseling, Professional Counseling, or Masters of Education Counseling AND Eligibility to be licensed as a counselor in the State of Georgia.
OR

Social Services Provider 2 Master`s degree from an accredited college or university in Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Rehabilitation Counseling, Professional Counseling, or Masters of Education Counseling AND Two (2) years of related postgraduate experience, AND Eligibility to be licensed as a counselor in the State of Georgia.   

Preferred Qualifications:

Completion of a Master`s degree in a mental health field from an accredited college or university (e.g., counseling, social work or psychology). The degree must be in an area that would qualify the graduate for licensure by the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists.
AND
Licensure as a State of Georgia Professional Counselor, Social Worker, or Marriage and Family Therapist

Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Juvenile Justice 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. We are a qualified employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

For more information, visit https://djj.georgia.gov/Online-Applications/employee-benefits

THIS IS AN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

THIS IS AN UNCLASSIFIED POSITION.

THE SELECTED APPLICANT FOR THE POSITION WILL BE SUBJECT TO A REFERENCE CHECK AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK, WHERE APPLICABLE

PLEASE INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT JOB INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION.

ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE PRESCREENED.

DJJ IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER