Behavioral Health Special III - Counseling

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.
The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

The BHS III - Counseling assists in the delivery of counseling related services for mental wellness, including observations, providing staff instructions, and training/mentoring staff on supports for mental wellness commensurate with his/her level of training and experience. Develops, implements, and evaluates staff instructions to support mental wellness and generalization of counseling gains, commensurate with his/her level of training and experience. Works under the review and supervision of a lead clinician who reviews and signs that the observations, staff instructions, and ensures the interventions of the BHS III meets the needs established by the IDT for mental wellness and nonpharmacological support for those receiving psychotropic medication. Performs data collection and reporting, and program evaluation. Serves as a member of the Unit and Interdisciplinary Teams. For those receiving counseling by a licensed clinician, assists in staff training to promote generalization of therapeutic changes outside the clinical setting and provides feedback to staff responsible for implementing the generalization components of the counseling plans. Uses appropriate supervisory/management staff for assistance as needed. The BHS III - Counseling may be required to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others. Participates in quality assurance and quality enhancement activities related to counseling services. Works with individuals who have complex needs and who may exhibit aggressive, self-injurious, and/or other challenging behaviors. The work schedule varies situationally based upon service needs. Works under moderate supervision with some latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The BHS III is hired and directly supervised by the Unit Director in consultation with the Director of Behavioral Health Services (Unit Model) or hired and directly supervised by the Director of Behavioral Health Services (Departmental Model). Professional supervision is provided by the Director of Behavioral Health Services or designee.

Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
Conducts clinical assessments and ensures development and approval of counseling plans to meet individuals’ needs.
May assist or develop some types of behavioral health services plans, including psychiatric support plans and skill acquisition plans. Works under the review and supervision of a lead clinician who reviews and signs that the observations, staff instructions, and monitoring of the BHS III meets the needs established by the IDT for mental wellness and nonpharmacological support for those receiving psychotropic medication.
Conducts or ensures training for staff in counseling and behavioral health services, including trauma induced behaviors, individual counseling plans, and other relevant topics to provide adequate staff training to facilitate optimal treatment and training.
Monitors and evaluates counseling plans to ensure effective implementation.
Provides documentation (including data tables, graphs, and progress notes) to reflect and evaluate individuals' response to treatment.
Participates as an effective member of the Unit and Interdisciplinary Teams to provide counseling and behavioral health information and programming perspectives to facilitate overall service delivery.
Assists in the monitoring and evaluation of the use of restraints and emergency procedures and ensures their accurate and timely documentation to ensure appropriate and minimal use.
Assists in the use and review of psychotropic medications such that these medications are only used in conjunction with adequate nonpharmacological approaches, including counseling plans, behavioral support plans, and psychiatric support plans.
Assists in collecting information for evaluations to assess individuals’ level of intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior.
Maintains current knowledge in relevant areas in counseling and behavioral health services and training techniques to provide maximally effective services.

Performs special assignments as requested.

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge and experience in administering the delivery of counseling and behavioral health services to persons with intellectual disabilities.
Knowledge regarding etiology and characteristics of developmental disabilities.
Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and departmental and agency policy.
Knowledge in and ability to provide personal counseling and related behavioral health services.
Knowledge of and skills in the administration of discipline specific assessments including assessments of intelligence and adaptive behavior.
Knowledge and skills in understanding trauma induced behavior and counseling plan development, implementation, and evaluation.
Ability to train staff in generalization plans to reinforce behaviors outside of counseling sessions and basic psychological/behavioral concepts.
Ability to work within a model of professional supervision and make decisions within broad guidelines/parameters.
Knowledge and skills in using personal computers and relevant software.
Skills in effective written and oral communication.
Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
Ability to organize/prioritize work and complete basic duties with moderate supervision.
Commitment to facility workplace and service values.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Eligible to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor upon hire is preferred.

Initial Selection Criteria:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, education, or applied behavior analysis, or a related discipline.
Experience in a clinical practicum or clinical project related to caregiving, or other experience in caregiver settings preferred.

Additional Information:
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities. Males between the ages of 18–25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center employees are subject to Random drug testing.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

All new hire candidates will be required to receive COVID-19 medical screening (nasal test) as part of the due diligence process.

COVID-19 Precaution(s):

Personal protective equipment required and provided
Temperature screenings
Social distancing guidelines in place
Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place
Vaccines available for employees

MOS Code:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: 60U, 60W, 210X, 92, MED10, 44PX.
All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For additional information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx

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In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.