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Department/Unit:

HBD - Aids Program

Work Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Salary Range:

$55,895.80 - $83,843.71

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Mental Health Counselor

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: MEDICINE

DIVISION OF HIV MEDICINE (DHIVM)

REPORTS TO: Manager of Client Services

QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree and licensure in Social Work, Counseling/Psychology, or related field required. One to three years documented experience in the provision of case management and/or counseling services to medically compromised patient population, familiarity with DSM 5, community mental health resources and ability to work in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team setting required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

* Mental Health Counselor will receive and manage all referrals of (MH & SA) from providers, case managers, nursing staff, self-referrals

* Caseload of 20 patients for counseling services

+ Provide screenings, intakes, and brief mental health (MH) needs assessments and (SB) substance abuse for all patients referred by members of the DHIVM healthcare team. Formal cognitive assessments may also be needed.

+ Based on needs assessment and availability of services, develop mental health and Substance Abuse referral plan and initiate referral services rather in house or in the community.

+ Complete referral paperwork, including consents for release of HIV, MH and SA service providers, both internal and external.

+ Contact MH &SB service providers, as needed, to facilitate referral processes.

+ Follow up referrals through EPIC portal, patients, other healthcare team members, and/or mental health/substance abuse providers to ensure transition to MH/SA services.

+ Develop, implement, and update service plans for patients receiving MH/SA care coordination services.

+ Obtain and maintain consents/ ROIs for HIV and Mental Health/Substance Abuse information for the behavioral health team.

+ Contact external MH/SA providers annually and as needed to update internal records, exchange information, and coordinate care.

+ Assist with removing barriers and facilitating access to mental health/substance abuse care.

+ Provide crisis intervention and motivational interviewing skills, including de-escalation techniques, to patients in emotional crisis.

+ Serve as consultant to staff regarding communication, boundaries, and difficult emotional situations with patients.

+ Assist Behavioral Health Program staff with development and maintenance of mental health program information tools (brochures, resource lists, bulletin boards, etc)

+ Provide re-engagement services/ care coordination follow up to patients who have fallen out of mental health/ substance abuse in house counseling services care, both internally and externally.

+ Monitor Mental Health Counselor caseload, ensuring engagement efforts for patients who have lapsed in care, and program closure as needed.

+ Participate in routine/weekly care coordination and case conference meetings and other meetings as warranted.

+ Manage mental health/substance abuse program waiting list for counseling or psychiatric services by carrying a small caseload.

+ Facilitate support and educational groups for patients day and evening providing back up for primary counselors.

+ Participate in quality improvement activities within the Behavioral Health Program and other Division of HIV Medicine Programs.

+ Provide education to patients/families to help them cope with illness and promote wellness as they navigate through mental health services.

+ Participation in mental health/substance abuse provider community meetings

+ Utilize and continuously update Excel spreadsheet and maintain data to monitor referral status, program enrollment, program closure, and other data regarding patients receiving mental health and substance abuse services.

+ Carry out responsibilities in accordance with AMC and DHIVM policies as well as NYS AIDS Institute MH standards of Care and CASAC.

+ Other duties as assigned by the Manager of Client Services

Knowledge and Skills

+ Competence and knowledge in specialty areas

+ Effective interpersonal skills

+ Ability to provide continuous, comprehensive mental health/substance abuse care coordination.

+ Excellent communication skills

+ Understanding of the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation process essential to providing quality patient services

Quality of Work

+ Documents appropriate patient histories, findings, and plan of care in a clear and concise manner using both AIRS (AIDS Institute Reporting System) and the medical record EPIC.

+ Documents patient service activities in AIRS and the medical record

+ Facilitates process of ethical decision-making out-patient care

+ Maintain MH/SA referral tracker.

Interpersonal Relations

+ Facilitate communication and problem resolution among members of the health care team and the mental health/substance abuse program staff.

+ Collaborate with members of the health care team to facilitate goal achievement for specific patient population.

+ Works as a team member to improve patient care outcomes.

+ Serves as a spokesperson for the Medical Center when interacting with other professionals, patients/families, and the public.

Work Practices

+ Comply with organization and Human Resources policies and procedures as presented in orientation and contained in the Employee Manual, Patient Bill of Rights and as supplemented by departmental policy.

+ Meets institutional standards for own education, health monitoring and work practices.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

The employee must be able to handle high levels of stress.

The employee may be exposed to infectious diseases.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Thank you for your interest in Albany Medical Center!​

Albany Medical is an equal opportunity employer.

This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Medical Center, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA Protected Health Information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that:

Access to information is based on a “need to know” and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Med Center policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification.