Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Blaisdell Atc) NYS Helps

Minimum Qualifications Possession of a license and current registration as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State OR current service as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and eligible for transfer

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*

To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are: possession of a license and current registration as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State.

• For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.

• At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.

NOTE: Candidate(s) must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicaid and Medicare programs. Failure to maintain Medicaid/Medicare eligibility will result in the termination of employment.

Mandatory overtime (MOT) is a requirement of this position. Chosen candidate(s) will be added to the mandatory overtime roster, which is utilized on a rotating basis. The MOT is applied during times of emergency, after the agency has made a good faith effort to have overtime covered and all other staffing options have been exhausted (volunteers, hourly staff, contracted staff). Our Addiction Treatment Centers (ATCs) operate 24/7/365 programing. Therefore, MOT IS an essential function of this position and is critical to maintaining adequate staffing at all times in order to ensure the health and safety of clients within the facility.

Duties Description Responsibilities for the Licensed Mental Health Counselor include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Function as member of a multidisciplinary treatment team and serve as a resource regarding social adjustment, discharge service needs, and the effective utilization of community services.

• Conduct interviews to complete various clinical assessments; involve individuals in the development of treatment plans; and monitor individual compliance with treatment goals.

• Utilize evidence-based practices to provide therapeutic intervention for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

• Provide individual and group mental health counseling and facilitate a variety of clinical activities.

• Assess individual and family needs, strengths, and limitations.

• Educate individuals and families about the nature of the disorder/illness and available resources and how to access them.

• Record significant psychosocial events and/or changes in clinical condition.

• Determine the individual needs for referral to community-based services; and work in conjunction with the psychiatric prescribers to provide additional mental health services and supports for individuals who are dealing with co-occurring mental health issues.

• Present/conduct lectures, videos, psycho-educational groups, and specialty groups.

• Intervene when individuals are in crisis and utilizes clinical skills to problem solve.

• Complete forms, documents, and records efficiently, including discharge planning, while adhering to all applicable confidentiality regulations.

• Participate in activities to improve patient care and facility operations.

• Maintain relationships with vocational, educational, social services, probation, parole, referral agencies, and other community agencies associated with individual rehabilitation to ensure continuity of services.

• May oversee therapeutic interventions of individuals assigned to their team.

• Supervise lower-level clinical staff and/or interns.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Comments Salary Range:

$66,527 -$84,496*

• Plus $3,087 location pay

Prospective appointees will be: 1) Checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable. 2) Investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC) that includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee's employment application may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees. 3) Screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees may be required to pay any necessary fees. Additionally, prospective employees whose names are indicated on the SCR may be barred from appointment.