Department/Unit: HBD - Aids Program Work Shift: Day (United States of America) Salary Range: $55,895.80 - $83,843.71 JOB DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE: Mental Health Counselor DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Department of HIV Medicine EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or social work required. Current LCSW or LMHC required. Must be eligible for reimbursement as a participating provider with managed care private insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid. Experience working with a medically compromised patient population preferred. RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direction of the Director of Client Services (and psychiatrist when clinically indicated) the Mental Health Counselor will be responsible for providing the following services to HIV infected or HIV/HCV co- infected clients and their families: + Provides psychological assessments. + Provides individual, couples, family and group therapy, as needed. + Tracks and completes quarterly treatment updates/plans with patients and documents in the medical record. + Completes quarterly care coordination with primary medical provider and other members of patient’s care team. + Reviews case load monthly, providing re-engagement efforts to patients who have lapsed in services and closing patients who have been inactive, per program policy. + Provides other psycho-social support services for patients. These services could include providing support for HIV disclosure issues, bereavement support, substance abuse recovery readiness, crisis intervention, motivational counseling, behavior change, and risk reduction. This is provided as needed, to be determined by the mental health program staff. + Provides and/or coordinates crisis intervention and interdisciplinary team treatment for HIV infected or HIV/HCV co-infected patients and their families active with AIDS Program Mental Health Services. + Develops long and short term therapeutic interventions and provides input into the development of an interdisciplinary treatment plan on at least a quarterly basis. + Completes service data encounters for entry to AIRS (AIDS Institute Reporting System). + Completes billing encounter forms and other paperwork as required by health plans. + Documents therapy sessions and other patient contacts in the electronic health record (EHR). + Provides referral to outside MH agencies and Substance Abuse Rehab with the assistance of the Mental Health Specialist or Substance Abuse Specialist. + Works collaboratively with the medical provider, case manager, psychiatrist (if warranted), and other team members in the delivery of care. + Participates in care coordination meetings, as needed. + Supervises MSW/ Counseling students as warranted or appropriate. + Facilitates support groups, as needed. + Complies with AIDS Institute Mental Health Standards of Care and other grant requirements. + Participates in monthly programmatic supervision with the manager of client services and monthly clinical supervision with the mental health program psychiatrist. + Actively participates in process improvement efforts within the mental health and AIDS programs. + Provides retention efforts including phone calls, letters, and communication with team when patients miss appointments. Strives to improve patient retention in mental health and HIV primary care services. + Provides monthly updates regarding trainings, trends, services and program related issues for grant reporting. + Participates in continuing education activities in HIV, Mental Health, Hepatitis C, and other pertinent health topics. + Other related duties as assigned. Computer Skills: Proficient with basic PC skills (accessing internet, editing/saving documents, sending documents via email, etc). Proficient in Microsoft Word, familiar with Microsoft Excel, ability to learn electronic systems such as the electronic medical record and AIDS Institute Reporting System (AIRS). Language skills : Ability to read and understand medical information; knowledge of medical terminology helpful. Fluency in written and oral English. Spanish is a plus. Good listening skills. Ability to respond to routine inquiries or complaints from clients, regulatory agencies, or members of the community. Mathematical Skills : Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, and percentages. Good typing and computer skills are preferred. Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to handle high levels of stress. The employee is occasionally exposed to infectious diseases. Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Mental Health worker may provide home visits on an as needed basis. The noise level is the work environment is usually moderate. Thank you for your interest in Albany Medical Center!​ Albany Medical is an equal opportunity employer. This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Medical Center, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA Protected Health Information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that: Access to information is based on a “need to know” and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Med Center policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification.