Duties
I. Non-medical Clinical Counseling for Children, Parents and Families (90%)
Receive and assess referrals made by military and civilian agencies. Provide direct non-medical, short term solution focused counseling services to eligible children, parents, families and groups using psychotherapeutic services, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, acceptance and commitment therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, family systems therapy, expressive therapies, etc. Collect bio-psychosocial information from clients using interview, case history, and observation techniques and assessment methods. Assess client's needs and the nature and scope of their problem(s) and behavior, explore basic personality structure in relation to behavior patterns, mechanisms and symptoms, and analyze information collected to develop a diagnostic impression and treatment plan, and/or provide treatment referrals, as appropriate, to other clinical agencies.
Consult reference materials, i.e., the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM), textbooks, manuals, and journals to identify symptoms, make diagnostic impressions, and develop treatment plan. Recognize symptoms in clients with diagnosable disorders falling outside of the authorized scope of practice such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, substance use disorders, major depression or other symptoms requiring specialized medical/psychiatric intervention and/or longer-term treatment.
Collaborate with clients on developing accurate and attainable treatment goals and work together when barriers are identified. Develop, initiate, and facilitate group treatment programs to address the needs of families, parents, children and adolescent groups. Assist individuals and families with finding satisfactory ways of coping with commonly occurring life stresses (e.g. career change, work-related stress), family dynamics (e.g. divorce, communication problems), parenting, crisis response (e.g. physical, sexual or emotional abuse), or other stressors.
Identify crisis situations (e.g., suicide or homicide risk, danger of physical or sexual abuse to family members, increased risk of inter-familial or extra familial violence) when conducting clinical assessments, and provide immediate crisis intervention, conduct risk assessment, and prepare and/or coordinate safety planning IAW best practices in the mental health community. Educate military, civilians and families on suicide intervention and at-risk behavior. Refer clients presenting with imminent suicidal or homicidal risk for appropriate treatment and follow-up.
Comply with reporting protocols involving high-risk case when reporting risk of suicide, homicide, domestic abuse or child abuse, and high-visibility cases, including child sexual abuse allegations - including multiple child sexual abuse incidents, fatality due to suicide, fatality due to homicide, felony-level child abuse, and involvement of DoD child and youth facilities, the Child Development Centers (CDC), Child Protective Services (CPS), or Child Development Homes in cases of allegations of child sexual abuse. Conduct onsite/regional quarterly quality assurance (QA) reviews of cases per DON policy to ensure that all clinical services provided are safe and of good quality. Schedule, account for and document all non-medical counseling services provided in the Scheduling and Clinical Case Record modules within the automated FFSP management information system.
II. Community Liaison (10%)
Attend community liaison meetings to establish or strengthen relationships with other agencies serving the target population. As directed, provide a summary of liaison meetings for supervisor review, and recommend additional collaborations that will reduce duplication of services and expand the range of programs for the population serviced.
Inform military and civilian agencies on scope of practice, how to engage in services, available counseling services (i.e., couples, individual, and children/family), and clinical issues and treatment related to children and adolescence; and train on clinical areas of interest (i.e., sleep hygiene, healthy communication, etc.) upon request and if availability allows. Consult and coordinate with other military and civilian service agencies on specific client cases (i.e., military treatment facility behavioral health, civilian military health providers, CPS, etc.), on an ad-hoc basis. Maintain complete and timely records and workload statistics using forms and automated systems. Collaborate with civilian community service boards and organizations regarding issues unique to military children.
Performs other duties as assigned.
How to Apply
Applications are not accepted in person or via email. Applicants must apply online.
Click the blue APPLY button at the top of this announcement to apply.
Next steps
Using the required qualifications of the position, a standardized rating and ranking criteria of knowledge, skills, and abilities will be used to screen and assess each application.
If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Times may vary during the hiring process, as your application status updates/changes you will be notified with a notification letter via email.
Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., Spam Blocker, etc.), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.