JOB POSITION/ DESCRIPTION

MHP/QMHP – PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES COUNSELOR

Purpose of your Job Position:

The primary purpose of your job position is to obtain required information and admit patients in an efficient manner, in accordance with established policies and procedures, and as directed by your supervisor.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements or duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of this position.

• Interview consumers/ representatives to obtain a social history.

• Interview consumers and review all intake information to complete necessary risk assessments.

• Ensure all assessed high risk behaviors have been incorporated into the consumer’s treatment plan.

• Identify if a consumer has a history of or current substance and assign the consumer to the appropriate substance use programming.

• Review the HOUSE RULES with the consumer and orient them to the facility.

• Review the PAS/R with the LPHA and ensure that all recommendations have been incorporated into the treatment plan.

• Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports etc. and submitting such to the LPHA as required.

• Attend treatment plan meetings weekly.

• Maintain a quality working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.

• Assist in discharge planning, including collaborating with community agencies, and make referrals to other community agencies when specialized assistance is required.

• Evaluate social and family information and assist in determining plans for psychosocial treatment.

• Interpret social, psychological, and emotional needs of the consumer to the medical staff, physicians and any other consumer care team members.

• Assist in obtaining resources from community social health and welfare agencies to meet the needs of the consumer.

• Assist the Quality Assurance Performance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.

• All other duties as assigned by the director or the executive director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Education:

• An MHP must possesses a bachelor’s degree; a certificate of psychiatric rehabilitation from a DHS-approved program plus a high school diploma plus two years experience in providing mental health services; an occupational therapy assistant with at least one year of experience in a mental health setting; or a minimum of 5 years supervised experience in mental health or human services. Any individual meeting the minimum credentials for an LPHA or QMHP also meets the credentialing requirements of an MHP.

• A QMHP must be either a licensed social worker (LSW) possessing at least a master’s degree in social work and licensed under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act with specialized training in mental health services or with at least two years experience in mental health services; a licensed professional counselor (LPC) possessing at least a master’s degree and licensed under the Professional Counselor and Clinical professional Counselor Licensing Act with specialized training in mental health services or with at least two years experience in mental health services; or an individual possessing at least a master’s degree in counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, vocational counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, or family therapy or a related field, who has successfully completed a practicum or internship that included a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised direct service, or who has one year of clinical experience under the supervision of a QMHP. Any individual meeting the minimum credentials for an LPHA under this part is deemed to also meet the credentialing requirements of a QMHP.

2. Experience:

• None required. On the job-training provided.

3. Specific Requirements:

• Possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrants such action.

• Possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, patients, family members, visitors, and the general public.

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age.

• Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle patients based on whatever maturity level they are currently functioning.

• Possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.

4. Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.

• Must be able to speak the English language in an understandable manner.

• Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress of the position.

• Must possess sight/hearing senses, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with patients, personnel, and support agencies.

• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.

5. Working Conditions:

• Moves intermittently throughout working hours.

• Is subject to frequent interruptions.

• Is involved with residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, co-workers, supervisors and management.

• Is subject to emotionally upset and difficult residents, family members, staff and visitors.

• Communicates with the nursing team, nursing management and staff from supporting departments on a frequent basis.

• Works beyond regular working hours and on weekends and holidays when assigned and/or when necessary.

• Is subject to call-back in the event of emergency conditions such as severe weather, post-disaster, etc.

• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

• Is subject to exposure to infectious diseases, conditions, etc, including TB and the AIDS, HIV and Hepatitis viruses.

• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.