POSITION TITLE: FACT Team Counselor

EFFECTIVE DATE: 2024

PROGRAM: FACT REPORTS TO: FACT Program Manager

FACILITY: Gilmore Annex

CITY: Lakeland

JOB STATUS: Full time

FLSA: Non Exempt

Job Summary:

This member of the multidisciplinary team has training in one of the mental health professions (social work, rehabilitation counseling, or psychology) and clinical skill and experience to assess, plan, develop, coordinate, and provide treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to program participants with severe and persistent mental illnesses under the clinical supervision of the Team Leader and the Psychiatrist. This member functions as a clinical member of the multidisciplinary team and provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services or may be designated by the Team Leader to function as the Lead Mental Health Professional, a team vocational Specialist, or Substance Abuse Specialist.

General Expectations:

In the performance of their respective task and duties, all employees are expected to conform to the following:

1. Fully understand and consistently exhibit all of Peace River Center's Core Values, while fostering the same with all direct reports.
2. Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
3. Interact professionally with other employees, customer and vendors.
4. Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
5. Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.

Essential Duties/Requirements/Activities:

• Ability to abide by principles of EEO compliance and a workplace of dignity and respect
• Ability to work cooperatively in a group/team setting
• Ability to show respect to others
• Ability to take guidance and direction from supervisors
• Ability to report to work with clean hygiene
• Ability to adhere to company /program dress code standards
• Ability to professionally Ability to arrive/report to work on time and ready to work
• Ability to communicate with others
• Must meet Peace River Center's driving requirements with a minimum age of 21.
• Must have a valid Florida driver's license.
• Must submit to a Florida criminal/offender background check
• Comply with all Center policies and procedures except those for which the employee gives notice of the need for reasonable accommodation and for which the Center can make such reasonable accommodation.
• Attends all scheduled work hours, meeting, training, and other center functions, including on-call as required.
• Provide case management for an assigned group of people including coordinating and monitoring the activities of the individual treatment team, assume primary responsibility for developing, writing, implementing, evaluating and revising overall treatment goals and plans in conjunction with the ITT, provide the individual with the support necessary for symptom management, ensure immediate changes are made in treatment plans as persons need change, educate and support person's families, and advocate for person's rights and preferences.
• Provide case management for an assigned group of people including coordinating and monitoring the activities of the individual treatment team; assume primary responsibility for developing, writing, implementing, evaluating, and revising overall treatment goals and plans in conjunction with the ITT; provide the individual with the support necessary for symptom management; ensure immediate changes are made in treatment plans as persons' needs change; educate and support persons' families; and advocate for persons' rights and preferences.
• Complete all daily progress notes, SALs, and assessments in a timely manner as mandated in the FACT Team policies and procedures.
• Participate in the completion of a comprehensive assessment of all FACT participants admitted to the program.
• Consult with community agencies and families to maintain coordination in the treatment process.
• Provide on-call crisis intervention as assigned
• Document persons progress to maintain a permanent record of person's activity according to established methods and procedures
• Participate in daily staff organizational meetings and treatment planning review meetings.
• Participate in providing substance use and treatment support services
• Provide transportation to participant's for scheduled medical, dental, or other appointments as needed and determined to be in the best therapeutic interest of the participant as assigned.
• Assist and support FACT participants to carry out personal hygiene and grooming tasks.
• Assist FACT participants to find and maintain a safe and affordable place to live--apartment hunting, landlord negotiations, and procuring necessities to set up housekeeping.
• Help FACT participants to access reliable transportation (e.g., arrange for cabs, access bus line, apply for Handibus, etc.).
• Organize and lead individual and group social, educational, and recreational activities to structure FACT participants' time, increase social experiences, and provide opportunities to practice social skills and receive feedback and support.
• Provide practical help and supports, advocacy, coordination, side-by-side individualized support, problem solving, direct assistance, training, and supervision to help FACT participants obtain the necessities of daily living including medical and dental health care; legal and advocacy services; financial support; money-management services; transportation; social-skill development; and assertiveness training to increase their social and interpersonal activities in community settings.
• Deliver medications to FACT participants and observe participants self-administer those medicaions, documenting observations, time, and any medications left for the participant to take independently at a later time.
• Provide individual counseling to FACT participants as assigned when it has been determined by the team that counseling would be therapeutic for that individual.
• Perform the duties of the Substance Abuse Specialist or Vocational Specialist if designated that role by the Team Leader according to the respective job duties-- (You may be designated to fill this role up to approximately 33% of your employment term with the FACT program.
• Approximately 75% of work performed will be in-home or in the community, outside of the office.
• Weekends are assigned on a rotating basis with other clinical staff, approximately every six weeks. When you are working weekends, those days are included in your five work days per week, which would give you two week days off in that two-week pay period. Holidays are also rotated throughout the year, requiring that you work one or two holidays per year. Holiday work hours are from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. When you work a holiday, you may select another day within the following 30 day period to take off for your holiday with the approval of the FACT Program Manager.
• You will be assigned one day per week to be on-call for any needed crisis intervention or support. You will also be on-call for the holidays you are assigned to work throughout the year.

Additional Requirements/Duties/Activities:

1. Substance Abuse Specialist: 1.) Educate other staff members in the field of substance abuse so that all participants have a tightly coordinated treatment plan addressing their co-occurring disorders. 2.) Complete Comprehensive Substance Abuse Assessments on all new participants. 3.) Take primary responsibility for leading the substance abuse support groups for participants with co-occuring disorders. 4.) Appear in court on behalf of participants who have been court-ordered for substance abuse related issues. 5.) Prepare monthly
2. progress reports and coordinate with probation officers with participants who are involved with the Department of Corrections. 6.) Act as liaison for mental health drug court for FACT participants. 7.) Coordinate with outside inpatient services to detoxify participants and establish linkage to outpatient treatment, self-help programs (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous), and residential facilities.
3. Vocational Specialist: 1.) Provide individual vocational-supportive counseling to enable participants to identify vocational strengths and problems, establish vocational or career goals and plans to reach them, and recognize and target symptoms of mental illness that interfere with work. 2.) Plan and provide work-related supportive services, such as assistance with grooming and personal hygiene, securing of appropriate clothing, and securing transportation. 3.) Teach job-seeking skills. 4.) Conduct on-the-job performance assessments and evaluations, regular work review sessions with participants and their employers, on-the-job support, and crisis-assistance contacts when requested. 5.) Perform job coaching, problem solving, and support on and off the job site. 6.) Coordinate with state vocational rehabilitation and other employment services. 7.) Provide benefits counseling.
   

Qualifications:

Education:

Must have a Bachelor's degree in one of the core Behavioral Health Sciences

Experience:

Three years experience in a clinical or rehabilitation setting with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses preferred.

Certifications:

Training:

Complete all PRC required trainings

Knowledge and Skills:

Strong commitment to the right and ability of each person with a severe and persistent mental illness to live in normal community residences; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Ability to work with Team approach.

Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses and respect for person's rights and personal preferences in treatment.

Good written and verbal communication skills.

Safety Equipment

Universal Precautions

Comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and regulations

Life Safety Equipment (fire extinguisher)

Transportation:

Must have reliable transportation

Must meet Peace River Center's driving requirements with a minimum age of 25

Must have a valid Florida driver's license and clean driving record

Must submit to a Florida criminal/offender background check

Company cars are provided and will be used as available. At times, a company car may not be available at the time you may need to go into the community to provide services. During those times, you must use your personal vehicle and will be awarded travel reimbursement according to Peace River Center policies. However, FACT participants are never to be transported in personal vehicles. The company vehicles will be reserved for participant transportation. Must carry and maintain $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury coverage on personal vehicle and provide proof of coverage and be age 21+ to be a qualified driver.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to lift 30 pounds, climb stairs, ambulates safely throughout the community.

Machines, Tool and Equipment Used:

Computer, telephone, fax, copier

Supervisory Relationship(s)

None

Work Environment:

The work environment is fast-paced and consists of exposure to physical conditions typical of a normal office environment. The populations cared for will include patients who are confused, delusional, irrational, agitated, or uncooperative. Most of the job is performed while sitting, although the work may require occasional standing or walking and/or the lifting and carrying of small objects. A small amount of travel may be required for meetings etc. to another PRC location.

EEO Statement

One of the greatest assets of the PRC is the ethnic, cultural, and social diversity of its employees. PRC takes great pride in the diversity and values and respect of all its employees, regardless of race, color, sex, marital status religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, age, disability, gender identification, or sexual orientation.