Mental Health Counselor

JOB SUMMARY:

Under routine supervision, the Licensed Mental Health Counselor provides individual and group counseling services for the university community with wellness as a unifying theme to maximize personal development and well-being; assists the Director of Counseling in carrying out all services offered by Counseling Services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Provide individual and group counseling services to enrolled college students.

• Maintain and abide by updated knowledge of legal, ethical and professional issues related to mental health counseling.

• Maintain confidentiality of information both during and after their employment with the University. Any questions regarding the confidentiality of material should be referred to the supervisor. Any violation shall subject the employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment

• Assume independent responsibility for assessment, treatment planning and case management of mental health counseling cases.

• Serve as university counselor/consultant for mental health, providing prevention, crisis intervention, and consultation and education services to the university community.

• Assists the Director in planning and coordinating outreach to the university community.

• Provide training for various campus constituencies (i.e., Residence Life and other campus partners)

• Participate in case consultation and in-service training programs with all counseling staff.

• May be involved in providing individual and group supervision of interns.

• Prepare and submit periodic reports to the Director of Student Health and Wellness.

• May perform some counseling-related administrative duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Considered Essential Personnel whose physical presence is required on campus and must also be prepared to address those functions remotely (from off-campus) as needed when operations are restricted or the campus is closed.

• Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Possession of a license in mental health counseling and clinical skills necessary for the assessment and treatment of a broad spectrum of psychological problems, ranging from personal/social adjustment issues to severe emotional disturbances.

• Mental health counseling experience with college-age students.

• Demonstrated ability to provide individual and group counseling, assessment, treatment planning and case management on an independent basis.

• Experience in conducting counseling services or outreach programs for specialized groups.

• Knowledge of crisis intervention methods for psychological emergencies.

• Knowledge, sensitivity and ability to work with students from diverse ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, ranging in age from 17 to over 60.

• Must be comfortable being a member of a team and able to work with faculty and staff in a consulting/training role.

• Flexibility and openness to a variety of theoretical orientations, including but not limited to: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic, psychodynamic, family & systems, motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment, and solution-focused.

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to receive telephone calls, respond to inquiries and communicate with others with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Ability to utilize Microsoft Word XP and other software for electronic health records applicable to Counseling Services.

• Sufficient manual dexterity with proficiency to handle various office machines including but not limited to: computer keyboard, computer software applications, calculator, phone, copy machine and fax.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

• A Master Degree in Mental Health Counseling or a related field is required.

• Must have a New York State License in Mental Health Counseling.

• A minimum of one to three year's mental health counseling experience working with college-age clients is required.

• A valid New York State driver's license is required that satisfies both University and insurance company underwriting rules and regulations for driving a motor vehicle.

Niagara University affirms its commitment to equal opportunity and non-discrimination and recognizes its responsibility to provide for all employees an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, pregnancy-related condition, ex-offender status, military status, veteran status, disability or any other category protected by law. 

The university also does not tolerate any actual or attempted reprisals or retaliation against an employee who raises a sincere and valid concern regarding harassment, and/or retaliation is, therefore, strictly prohibited. This statement protects and covers the conduct of all employees without regard to job title or status.