Counselor - Screening - Relief on Call

Top reasons to work for SMA Healthcare:

  • Career growth and advancement potential
  • Great benefits such as: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, & Disability Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Paid Personal Leave (up to 25 days after 3 years of service)
  • 403b Retirement Plan (matches one to one of employee contribution for the first 3%, then a 50% match on the next 6% of employee contribution)

Essential Job Functions: 

  • Provides therapeutic services which may include assessment, brief individual counseling, group counseling, case management services, and coordinating referrals to appropriate level of care.  
  • Advocates for clients' rights and preferences.
  • Conducts assessments and behavioral health screenings as indicated and appropriate for the client.
  • Consults with community agencies and families to maintain coordination in the treatment process and obtain collateral information necessary for appropriate referrals. 
  • Documents client progress to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures. 
  • Provides direct clinical services to clients on an individual, and(or) group basis in the office. 
  • Participates in setting treatment goals and plans with clients to reduce or abstain from substance use, maintain/stabilize mental health, and to learn relapse prevention measures.
  • Coordinates with outside inpatient services to detoxify clients or stabilize mental health; establish linkage to outpatient treatment, self-help programs (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Bipolar Support groups), outpatient services, and residential facilities. 
  • Provides practical help and support, advocacy, coordination, side-by-side individualized support, problem solving, direct assistance, training, and supervision to help clients obtain the necessities of daily living.
  • Performs related work as required or assigned.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education and/or Experience: Graduation from an accredited school with a bachelor's degree in a human services field with a minimum of 1 year of work experience in a mental health related field required. Master's degree in a human services field or psychiatric nursing preferred. Licensed to practice as a Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor, or Marriage and Family Therapist preferred.  Currently Certified or working toward certification as an Addictions Professional or Criminal Justice Addictions Professional in the State of Florida preferred. Must complete a course in emergency screening prior to or within 3 months of assuming emergency screening responsibilities.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of HIPAA compliance, and clinical documentation.
  • Knowledgeable of community and state resources and ability to assist individuals in accessing them.
  • Knowledge of how to institute the Baker Act and Marchman Act criteria.
  • Ability to organize data, plan, provide written and verbal feedback to referral sources, utilize the electronic medical record system, and provide and link clients to services.
  • Knowledgeable of Medicaid rules, state contract requirements, 65-D30 and Federal Substance Abuse regulations, and ability to implement those rules for quality care and billing purposes.
  • Knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and ability to recognize signs/symptoms of psychiatric illness and substance related diagnoses.

Necessary Special Requirements: Possession of a valid Florida driver's license, acceptable driving record, and proof of personal automobile insurance if required to drive an SMA vehicle and/or use a personal vehicle for SMA business. Complete State of Florida mandatory background screening prior to start of employment.  Complete SMA required training during the first six (6) months of employment and updated if required.

Physical: Mobility and ability to bend and reach during an 8-12 hour day. Able to lift minimum 10 pounds. Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to evaluate, intervene, treat, and record client health care needs. Fine motor skills for legible and accurate charting, daily correspondence and presentation, either manually or orally. Work endurance ability to work 8-12 hour shifts with a meal break, as possible. Routine 8-12 hour shifts. Hours and days off may vary. Extra hours may be required. Work assignment locations may vary.

Application:This class specification is intended to identify the class and illustrate the kinds of duties that may be assigned to its incumbents.  It should not be interpreted as describing all of the duties whose performance may ever be required of such an employee or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such individuals may be given.