Counselor or Senior Counselor

The University of Maryland, Baltimore Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, School Mental Health Program has an exciting opportunity for a Counselor or Senior Counselor position. The selected candidate will fill either role commensurate with their education and experience. 

The Counselor or Senior Counselor position will provide a full continuum of mental health services (prevention, early intervention, treatment, and staff consultation) and supports to  students enrolled in Baltimore City Schools. The individual will have access to and will be trained as part of their duties in a wide variety of evidence-based programs and practices to effectively support students and families.   

The individual will provide a broad range of prevention, early intervention, and clinical services including:

1. clinical assessments and evaluation (including diagnostic and safety assessments),
2. individual, group, and family therapy,
3. school-wide and crisis intervention, as needed,
4. teacher, school team, and caregiver consultations, and
5. classroom and school-wide prevention, education, and training regarding promoting positive student mental health. 

The primary duty of the position is to manage school site services by providing mental health services and support across three tiers (mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention). Services and support will include direct clinical services (individual, family, group therapy), school-based consultation with educators to promote student success in the classroom and school setting, mental health prevention activities including small group evidence-based programs, and mental health promotion at the classroom and school-wide levels. The position is responsible for managing referrals, triaging cases, maintaining client records, completing required billing documents, and completing other paperwork. As part of the array of clinical work, the clinician will provide more intensive mental health services for youth with DSM 5 Clinical Diagnoses that impact daily functioning and success at school. The clinician may also provide individual and/or group supervision to master’s level trainees working in the School Mental Health Program.   This position may require some level of tele/virtual services, but predominantly is in-person at the school. This position is a 12-month position and services continue to be provided over summers. 

Benefits Information
UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. This position participates in a retirement program that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, paid holidays, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland.  All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

Primary Duties-Counselor

• The Counselor works under the supervision of a licensed professional and assists individuals, families, and/or groups in identifying, understanding, and decreasing the impact of social, emotional and environmental factors associated with mental illness, through the provision of a broad variety of direct services and programs. Work under the supervision of an LCSW-C or LCPC when any care provision is involved.
• Promote counseling services and generate referrals at the school site by building relationships with school staff, school teams and the school community.
• Assess risk through screening and interviewing clients, caregivers, and school staff (as applicable). Identify psychosocial conditions and needs and determine best course of therapeutic treatment.
• Evaluate, refer, and counsel individuals, families, or groups to assess needs and address issues. Provides preventive, protective, or supportive services to individuals or groups who are in or threatened by situations detrimental to their well-being.
• Document client(s) progress. Perform chart reviews and generates notes on evaluations, therapy sessions, reports and other accountability measures.
• Development of treatment plans and healthcare evaluations for a variety of mental health  issues.
• Consult with other therapists, case managers and, if applicable, researchers. Provide work coordination and training to graduate and/or undergraduate level trainees in their clinical work.
• Works with National Center for School Mental Health to participate in projects that involve specific school site and evidence-based trainings. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Primary Duties-Senior Counselor
Perform all duties of a Counselor including:

• Provide training, guidance, and support to colleagues who are not fully licensed as mental health providers (e.g., LMSW/LGPC, graduate trainees).
• Implements evidence-based program and practices.
• Participates in special initiatives such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion sub committees, special projects, and other leadership roles within the program.
• May supervise other counselors or trainees, per licensure.
• Assists in development of policies, protocols, or procedures as requested.
• Responsible for review and submission of authorized documentation for reimbursement per licensure. Ensure all CARF, COMAR and program policies are followed.
• Responds to crisis at other school sites as part of a team for major traumatic events, as needed. Supports school and provides emergency petitions as needed (primarily for SMHP clients).
• Works with National Center for School Mental Health as part of clinical-research teams, supporting implementation in schools and providing feedback on interventions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Counselor
Education: Master’s degree in Social Work or Psychology.
Experience: None Required.
Certification/Licensure: Licensed Master Social Work - (LMSW) or Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) in the State of Maryland.
Other: No substitution of experience for minimum education requirement.

Senior Counselor
Education: Master's degree in Social Work or Psychology.
Supervisory Experience: One (1) year of direct supervision or responsibility for training, work coordination, and monitoring the work of others preferred.
Certification/Licensure: State of Maryland licensure as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C).
Other: No substitution of experience for minimum education requirement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Possess knowledge of best practices in the field as well as relevant federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and programs/policies related to children’s mental health. Ability to perform position expectations in compliance with Maryland requirements, regulations, and laws related to working with children and their profession. Ability to maintain high ethical and practice standards and maintain awareness of trends and influences related to children’s mental health. Assumes personal responsibility for all outcomes; makes effective and timely decisions; and learns how to effectively use technology. Maintains productivity and uses knowledge strategies to increase knowledge base. Ability to use measurable and verifiable information for resolving problems and facilitating decision-making processes. Ability to manage complex interpersonal situations with tact, diplomacy, understanding and fairness. Ability to maintain confidentiality of client and information obtained during treatment. Excellent organizational and/or work coordination skills.  Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team with individual and/or family from diverse ethnic, racial and social-economic backgrounds. Ability to use measurable and evidence-based strategies  for resolving problems and facilitating the decision-making processes. Effective interpersonal skills; ability to effectively interact with a diverse patient population using various evidence-informed interviewing techniques and consultative approaches.
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Interprets and understands written information and is able to listen attentively to verbal and non-verbal cues that lead to a deeper understanding. Ability to maintain confidentiality of client information in accordance with professional standards, HIPAA (Health Information Portability & Accountability Act) and to understand implications of FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) and state regulations. Ability to effectively interact with a diverse client population using best practice clinical techniques and consultative approaches. Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Well-being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery.

Counselor Hiring Range: $56,000 - $66,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Senior Counselor Hiring Range: $66,000 - $75,000, commensurate with education and experience.

UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy. For assistance related to employment, please contact the Talent Recruitment department at HRJobs@umaryland.edu. 

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact HRDiversity@umaryland.edu. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.