Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Qualifications:

1. Licensed, or eligible for licensure, in the State of Nebraska as a (P)LMHP and/or (P)LADC.

2. Have a sophisticated set of interpersonal skills, including verbal fluency, interpersonal perception, affective modulation and expressiveness, warmth and acceptance, empathy and focus on others.

3. Have the ability to display cues of acceptance, understanding and expertise in the first moments of interactions with consumers to develop rapport through verbal and non-verbal communication.

4. Possess the ability to form a working alliance with a broad range of consumers, which includes the therapeutic bond and agreement about the tasks and goals of therapy.

5. Be influential, persuasive and convincing through the use of motivational enhancement techniques.

6. Exhibits flexibility and a willingness to adjust therapy if resistance to the treatment is apparent or the consumer is not making progress.

7. Does not avoid difficult material in therapy and uses such difficulties therapeutically. Is comfortable with interactions with strong affect.

8. Has the ability to communicate hope and optimism, utilizing consumer strengths and resources to facilitate the consumer’s ability to solve his or her own problems. Creates consumer attributions that it is the consumer, through his or her work, who is responsible for therapeutic progress.

9. Is aware of the consumer’s characteristics, culture, and context. Works to coordinate care of the consumer with other psychological, psychiatric, physical or social services. Is aware of how his or her own background, personality and status interact with those of the consumer, in terms of the consumer’s reaction to the counselor, the counselor’s reaction to the consumer and to their interaction.

10. Is aware of one’s own psychological process and does not inject their own material into the therapy process unless such actions are deliberate and therapeutic.

11. Is aware of the best research evidence related to the particular consumer, in terms of treatment, problems, social context and so forth. Has an understanding of the biological, social, and psychological bases of the disorder or problem experienced by the consumer.

12. Seeks to continually improve and obtain feedback from consumers, coworkers and supervisor.

13. Has knowledge and skills in different theoretical approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, Consumer-Centered, and Gestalt Therapy.

14. Exhibits familiarity with Federal and State Regulations on 42 CFR issues, HIPAA, and Professional Counselor Ethics.

15. Is flexible with scheduling and has the ability to work evenings and/or weekends as required.

16. Is able to work independently and use appropriate clinical judgment to determine the need to seek out consultation and/or supervision.

17. Possesses the ability to create and implement treatment programs

18. Possesses strong Clinical Records Management skills.

19. Has strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

20. Possesses an understanding of the importance of self-care, boundaries, assertiveness skills and self-compassion when working in the human service field.

21. Has the ability to work with other agency professionals to meet needs and best interest of consumers, serving as a liaison between agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Obtain and maintain licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and/or Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Complete all Continuing Education requirements as outlined in licensure requirements.

2. Assist consumers through the therapeutic counseling relationship to identify strengths, needs, abilities and preferences, define goals, plan action, change maladaptive behaviors.

3. Attend workshops and take additional college classes as necessary to be effective and creative in day-to-day work with consumers.

4. Obtain and maintain knowledge of and compliance with Federal and State Regulations on Confidentiality and Professional Counselor Ethics.

5. Perform in the twelve (12) core functions set out in Title 209 NAC 1-001.22 certification regulations:

1) Screening of referrals to determine appropriateness and eligibility for services, utilizing ASAM criteria and State of Nebraska Service Definitions.

a) Evaluate psychological, social and physiological signs and symptoms of alcohol and other drug use and misuse.

b) Identify any coexisting conditions (medical, psychiatric, physical, etc.) that indicate the need for additional professional assessment and/or services.

c) Adhere to applicable laws, regulations and agency policies governing services.

2) Intake interview with new consumers as assigned. This is the administrative and initial assessment procedure for admission to WELL services.

a) Complete required documents for admission to the program, including those required for program eligibility and appropriateness.

b) Obtain appropriately signed consents when soliciting from or providing information to outside sources.

3) Orientation of consumers.

a) Provide an overview to the consumer by describing program goals and objectives for consumer care.

b) Provide an overview to the consumer by describing consumer obligations and rights.

c) Provide an overview to the consumer of program operations.

4) Assessment, identifying and evaluating each consumer’s strengths, weaknesses, problems and needs for the development of the treatment plan.

a) Gather relevant history from consumer using appropriate interview techniques.

b) Identify methods and procedures for obtaining corroborative information from collateral sources.

c) Identify appropriate assessment tools.

d) Explain to the consumer the rationale for the use of assessment techniques in order to facilitate understanding.

e) Develop a diagnostic evaluation of the consumer’s substance abuse based on the results of all assessments.

5) Treatment planning.

a) Explain assessment results to the consumer in an understandable manner.

b) Complete Individual Treatment Plan within identified timeframes and update the plan on a regular basis, noting follow-up in the Progress Notes weekly.

c) Identify and rank problems based on individual consumer needs in the written treatment plan.

d) Formulate agreed upon immediate and long-term goals using behavioral terms in the written treatment plan.

e) Identify the treatment methods and resources to be utilized as appropriate for the individual consumer.

6) Counseling (individual, group, and family/couples).

a) Select the counseling theory(ies) that apply(ies).

b) Apply techniques to assist the consumer, group, and/or family in exploring problems and ramifications.

c) Apply techniques to assist the consumer, group, and/or family in examining the consumer’s behavior, attitudes, and/or feelings.

d) Individualize counseling in accordance with cultural, gender, and lifestyle differences.

e) Interact with the consumer in an appropriate therapeutic manner.

f) Elicit solutions and decisions from the consumer.

g) Implement the treatment plan.

7) Case Management and networking with the community.

a) Coordinate services for consumer care.

b) Explain the rationale of case management activities to the consumer.

8) Crisis intervention.

a) Recognize the elements of the consumer crisis.

b) Implement an immediate course of action appropriate to the crisis.

c) Enhance overall treatment by utilizing crisis events.

9) Consumer education (i.e. assertiveness, relationships, parenting, etc.).

a) Identify educational deficit areas for each consumer.

b) Provide education in an individual and group setting.

10) Referrals to assist consumer needs and transition process.

a) Identify needs and/or problems that the agency and/or counselor cannot meet.

b) Explain the rationale for referral to the consumer.

c) Match consumer needs and/or problems to appropriate resources.

d) Assist the consumer in utilizing the support systems and community resources available.

11) Reports and record keeping (i.e. charting notes, discharge summaries, aftercare plans, reports to other agencies, and other consumer related data).

a) Prepare reports and relevant records integrating available information to facilitate the continuum of care.

b) Chart the ongoing information pertaining to the consumer.

c) Complete documentation according to agency standards within established timeframes for individual and group counseling sessions.

d) Upon time nearing for discharge, assist resident/consumer to establish Aftercare Plan and Follow-Up based on program policies.

e) Complete a final and summarizing counseling session with the resident and write up a final summary report of progress and services rendered.

f) Utilize relevant information from written documents for consumer care.

12) Consultation with clinical supervisor and other referral professionals in regard to consumer treatment and services.

a) Recognize issues that are beyond the counselor’s base of knowledge and/or skill.

b) Consult with appropriate resources to ensure the provision of effective treatment services.

c) Adhere to applicable laws, regulations and agency policies governing the disclosure of consumer-identifying data.

d) Consult, on a regular basis, with referring agencies about residents’ progress according to the Authorization to Release Information form signed.

e) Staff consumer progress and barriers with Clinical Supervisor each week.