Mental Health Counselor

Job Title: Mental Health Counselor

Effective Date: 1/28/2025

Reports to: Behavioral Health Coordinator

Pay Range: Class L

$77,821-$94,592 per year

Status: Full Time Part Time Regular Temporary

FLSA: Exempt Non-Exempt

Job Summary:

The Mental Health Counselor will work with the Behavioral Health Coordinator to support streamlining clinical and operational processes based at our housing development site ?al?al in Pioneer Square. In this position attention and skills are needed in culturally specific behavioral health support, planning, and service delivery as well as data systems and tracking for funding and reporting purposes. The ideal candidate practices harm reduction, trauma informed, and equity focused.

This position is on site and must be willing to travel as needed. This position will be interactive and engaged with community members.

The Mental Health Counselor will help support healthcare integration best practices and changes to Washington's Medicaid health insurance system.

Essential Job Functions:

• Perform initial evaluations of residents needs and develop customized treatment plans that include traditional wellness staff and case management support with an emphasis on cultural/identity development.
• Educate staff and clients on adaptive coping for cooccurring disorders.
• Provide consultation to case managers as needed for residents housed with one of Chief Seattle Club's locations: ?al?al.
• Provide individuals with the resources that allow for full autonomy in reaching identity cohesion.
• Monitor resident's progress and modify their treatment plans as needed.
• Coordinate with social and medical agencies, healthcare providers and community outreach programs to provide clients with needed services.
• Support both Traditional Wellness and Programs team in managing crisis.
• Comply with all Washington Administrative Codes, Washington State laws (RCWs), King County Integrated Care Network Provider Manual, and HIPAA privacy rules.
• Observe service and other program data to track performance and compliance in program specific areas.
• Other duties as assigned.

Non-Essential Job Functions:

• Must be willing to travel to all Chief Seattle club locations.
• Attend and participate in relevant team meetings, agency sponsored training, all staff meetings, and mandatory organizational events.
• Provide additional support, resources, and information needed to support members/residents. Attend training and tools to help staff successfully implement change.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Education: Bachelor's Degree/master's degree preferred in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field

Experience:

• Strong knowledge of mental health disorders with a focus on strengths versus pathology: Experience applying knowledge of mental health disorders with an emphasis on identifying strengths in clients rather than focusing solely on pathology.
• Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and/or Internal Family Systems: Experience utilizing or having knowledge in therapeutic modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and/or Internal Family Systems.
• Understanding of Native Culture and Trauma: Experience understanding Native culture from a historical context, with emphasis on epigenetic trauma, transgenerational trauma, and intergenerational trauma and their converse (e.g. epigenetic resilience).
• Analytical Skills in Treatment Planning: Experience using strong analytical skills to assess client situations and build culturally relevant treatment plans.
• Crisis Intervention Skills: Experience applying crisis intervention techniques to respond effectively to patients in acute distress.
• Experience Working with Co-occurring Disorders: Experience working with individuals who have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
• Experience ensuring compliance with federal regulations, including HIPAA privacy rules, as well as state and local laws (Washington Administrative Codes, RCWs), and applicable provider manuals, while safeguarding confidentiality and protected health information.

Licenses/Certifications: This role requires a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) credential

Technical Skills & Competencies:

• Proficient in Windows and Microsoft Office Suite products (Teams, Outlook, etc.)

Soft Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for effectively conveying complex ideas, educating residents and staff, and ensuring accurate reporting.

• The ability to mediate and resolve conflicts in a calm, constructive manner, which is especially important when dealing with difficult situations or clients in distress.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in CPR and First Aid to provide immediate assistance in emergency situations.
• Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
• Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits Summary:

Full-time employee benefits package includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and an Employee Assistance Program
• Public Transportation (ORCA) pass
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, and Night Shift Differential
• Transparent Pay Schedule
• Internal Hiring and Encouraged Advancement