DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves performing skilled tasks in the care of inpatient or outpatient behavioral health patients at the Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC). The incumbent participates with other professional and paraprofessional staff as an active member in the overall care and treatment of patients suffering from a variety of psychological and/or chemical dependence problems. The incumbent may be assigned to a given inpatient unit or outpatient clinic to carry out program activities, provide direct therapy services or crisis intervention/counseling as required by program needs. The work is performed under the direct supervision of a licensed Psychologist, or higher-ranking licensed Social Worker for clinical matters. Depending on location of assignment, work may be performed under the general supervision of a professional nursing supervisor for non-clinical matters. Supervision is not a function of this position. Does related work as required.TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:Performs behavioral health assessments and develops treatment plans using established methodologies;Participates as a primary counselor to individuals, in groups and for families;Participates as a team member in the treatment planning process;Participates in the intake and screening of new patients;Collects and maintains appropriate data from various sources such as professional staff and patient's families to establish an overall approach to the solution of the patient's mental and social problems;Provides a psychosocial history for patients;Provides counseling services to help patients adjust to their disabilities and social environment;Provides individual treatment and/or crisis intervention under clinical supervision;Provides support and guidance to the patient's family in order to accomplish treatment goals;Observes and records patients' behavioral and psychiatric status, activities, responses to treatment and overall physical, behavioral and mental health condition and reports to the team;Modifies treatment plans as needed;Plans with the treatment team and with community agencies in order to relate the patient's treatment and rehabilitation program to the social situation prior to discharge;Coordinates outpatient services with appropriate community resources;Coordinates the discharge and planning for patients as assigned;Participates in the development and implementation of the daily program activities;Participates in the process of transferring patients to other levels of treatment as appropriate;Refers clients to other governmental and non-governmental agencies;Participates as a member of the team to provide quality assurance and peer-review of the treatment delivered;Assists in the orientation of new staff and in staff development programs and in-service training.FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of behavioral health treatment and of the special factors affecting disease and disability; good knowledge of psychiatric concepts and treatment techniques; good knowledge of community resources for individuals with challenging mental health behaviors; working knowledge of interviewing, assessment and counseling techniques for individuals with challenging mental health behaviors; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to develop effective treatment plans; ability to effectively manage crisis situations; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to interpret Federal, State and local laws affecting medical and health programs as they relate to the field of mental health; ability to organize work effectively; ability to work well as a member of a team; ability to prepare reports; initiative; dependability; sound professional judgment; tact; capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Possession of a Master's Degree* in Social Work, Counseling, or a Master's Degree considered substantially equivalent to Social Work or Counseling as determined by the New York State Education Department.SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Possession of a license and current registration as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) as issued by the New York State Education Department at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or:
- Possession of a Limited Permit to practice as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) as issued by the New York State Education Department at time of appointment and licensure and registration within one (1) year of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or:
- Possession of a license and current registration to practice as a Mental Health Counselor as issued by the New York State Education Department at the time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or:
- Possession of a Limited Permit to practice as a Mental Health Counselor as issued by the New York State Education Department at the time of appointment and licensure and registration with two (2) years of appointment** and maintenance throughout duration of appointment.
ADDITIONAL SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Possession of Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from an ECMCC approved provider within sixty (60) days of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment.
ADDITIONAL SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - IF ASSIGNED TO AN INPATIENT CARE SETTING:
- Completion of New York State Office of Mental Health-Bureau of Education and Workforce Development (BEWD) certified safety program within three (3) months of appointment and participation in annual re-training.
NOTE*: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency.A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at You must pay the required evaluation fee.NOTE 2: Section 424-A of the Social Services Law requires that local social services district to inquire whether the applicant is the subject of an indicated child abuse or maltreatment report on file the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment. All potential employees for this position will be requested to sign the necessary clearance form prior to being advised that they will be hired. Refusal to sign will be cause for automatic non-selection.NOTE 3: Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.NOTE 4**: Mental Health Counselor Limited Permit holders are required to have 3,000 hours of supervised experience after completion of master's degree when applying for Mental Health Counselor license. Master Social Worker license applicants have no experience requirement when applying for license, hence the difference in allowance of length of time to achieve full licensure.HOURLY RATE: $38.68