Mental Health Professional

Our Mental Health Professional provides clinical services under the direction of the MH Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor or MH Director to inmates. Provides mental health consultation and training to facility staff.

Education for Mental Health Professional:

• Master's degree in a behavioral/social science field from an accredited college or university

Experience for Mental Health Professional:

• Coursework and professional experience that indicates knowledge of mental health counseling, group and individual psychotherapy, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, psychological assessment techniques, crisis intervention, and mental health consultation.

Licenses/Certifications for Mental Health Professional:

• LMSW, LPC, or similar licensure in the state from the appropriate state licensing board
• Current CPR Certification
• Any other certifications (such as First Aid) required by contract

1. Provide direct clinical and consultation services in accordance with CCS Policies and procedures, policies and procedures of the institution, and in accordance with the ethics and standards of relevant professional organizations (e.g., NASW, APA)
2. Responsible for having a basic understanding of mental health accreditation standards issued by National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) and American Correctional Association (ACA) if those accrediting bodies are applicable to the facility
3. Interrelate and work effectively with facility staff, inmates, and outside support agencies as delegated by MH Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor, or MH Director
4. Maintain the confidentiality of inmate information in accordance with CCS policy and procedure, state law, site policy and the standards of the NCCHC and ACA, if those accrediting bodies are applicable to the site
5. Completion of specific duties and responsibilities as designated by the Mental Health Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor or Mental Health Director. Designation of duties will be determined by current needs of the inmate population and the mental health professionals privilege status, taking into consideration employee's interests whenever possible.
6. Provision of individual and group psychotherapy/counseling to inmates with the goals of reducing maladaptive behavior and fostering effective psychological functioning.
7. Provision of crisis intervention services to inmates as referred by institutional and medical staff or to self-referred inmates. Crisis intervention may require consultation with institutional staff regarding management/treatment concerns, referral, and/or mental health follow-up. Crisis intervention duties may be assigned by the Mental Health Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor or Mental Health Director after normal working hours and weekends.
8. Completion of Clinical Service Reports of inmates as assigned by the Mental Health Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor or Mental Health Director based upon requests of the Facility administrative staff, Parole Board or other appropriate agencies in accordance with the policy and procedures of CCS. Reports are to be completed in a timely, professional manner. Personality, intellectual and other such testing may be administered, interpreted, and reported as allowed by State statutes, rules and regulations governing the employee's license.
9. For Mental Health Professionals assigned to a Reception and Diagnostic Unit, primary duties include completion of a diagnostic evaluation, to include clinical interview, interpretation of psychological testing, and development of a written report to include findings and recommendations. For those MHPs whose level of training and licensure do not allow for psychological test interpretation, consultation with a supervisor or department staff member interpreting testing shall occur.
10. Provision of consultation services for institutional screening committees to include, but not limited to, Initial Classification Boards and Segregation Review Boards. Provision of consultation services to institutional staff concerning the mental status and management of inmates.
11. Provision of training in human behavior and/or mental health issues to institutional staff in accordance with the institution's training program and as assigned by the Mental Health Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor or Mental Health Director.
12. Completion of relevant clinical documentation in the health record regarding the inmates participation in mental health treatment.
13. Completion of regular reports of the employee's activities in accordance with the policies and procedures.
14. Provision of support and/or monitoring of inmate's mental condition for institutional psychiatric staff as assigned by the Mental Health Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor or Mental Health Director
15. Provision of consultation and in-service training to the Facility personnel as assigned by the Mental Health Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor or Mental Health Director.
16. Participation in staff meetings and in-service training programs.
17. Inform Mental Health Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor or Mental Health Director of personal need for additional clinical supervision, overall problems in the delivery of clinical services, and/or proposals to improve clinical skills.
18. Participation in specialized clinical services and/or program development activities in a professional, timely manner providing these duties have been assumed with the mutual agreement of the Mental Health Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor or Mental Health Director and the individual staff member.
19. Maintain accountability for services provided through timely and accurate recording of activities through participation in the Quality Improvement program
20. Compliance with employee standards of the Facility. Compliance includes, but is not limited to, the maintenance of a professional working environment and personal appearance consistent with professional responsibilities, development of harmonious working relationships, and timely notification of supervisory personnel of absences from institution.
21. May be required to participate in a system of 24-hour crisis intervention services.
22. Must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance.
23. Must be able to apply principles of critical thinking to a variety of practical and emergent situations and accurately follow standardized procedures that may call for deviations.
24. Must be able to apply sound judgment beyond a specific set of instructions and apply knowledge to different factual situations.
25. Must be alert at all times; pay close attention to details.
26. Must be able to work under stress on a regular or continuous basis.
27. Post orders, if applicable, per site contract.
28. Perform other duties as assigned.

CCS is an EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability Employer