Mental Health Counselor, Contractor at The Chicago Lighthouse in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

BASIC FUNCTION: Provide counseling services and mental health support to clients of the Chicago Lighthouse and all related activities therewith.

• Deliver clinical mental health services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired;


• Implement program activities including overseeing student program (externships, internships, etc.) for clinical service delivery, which may include psychotherapeutic and mental health services throughout the system;


• Perform diagnostic evaluations as needed, via multi-modalities of care;


• Conduct individual, group and family sessions in a virtual environment;


• Recommend outreach and marketing strategies to increase the number and variety of appropriate referrals;


• Prepare required reports, responses to referrals, and other appropriate documentation;


• Maintain affiliation with Chicagoland Universities, Colleges, and Professional Schools with accredited programs in psychology, counseling, social work and marriage and family therapy;


• Collaborate with agency research staff on the initiation and establishment of future research protocols in partnership with area programs;


• Provide in-service training to agency staff on the biopsychosocial impact of blindness and low vision while being available to advise staff on specific patient needs PRN;


• Oversee daily activities of externs, interns, post-doctoral residents, fellows, or any other persons designated as "trainee";


• Maintain an active interest and participate in the professional field at all levels; analyze trends, innovations, and research in the field to determine if integration into our program would improve scope of services and professional reputation;


• Present program to a variety of community and/or professional groups; may serve on community or professional committees related to the field of rehabilitation, low vision, or psychology (including but not limited to participation in local, regional and national meetings within field of the professional);


• Maintain his/her own professional license in the State of Illinois (or any other states/territories in which delivery of clinical services applies);


• Maintain professional liability insurance any other related and necessary minimum credentials;


• Adherence to the individuals discipline specific code of ethics;


• Adherence to HIPAA rules and regulations.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Licensed in Illinois as clinical (or counseling) psychologist or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist required;


• Degree in clinical psychology, counseling, social work or marriage and family therapy from an accredited program required;


• Experience working with individuals who are blind or visually impaired in a professional capacity preferred);


• Experience providing individual, group, marriage and family therapy, preferably to individuals who are blind or visually impaired;


• At least two years licensed clinical experience in active psychotherapy service delivery required;


• Possess excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills;


• Possess a strong ability to organize, prioritize, and coordinate various activities to meet deadlines;  


• Membership in appropriate professional organizations preferred;


• Full disclosure of any conflicts of interest or ethical issues related to the assumption of the position;


• Successful completion of a background check;


• Bi-lingual (Spanish speaking) preferred;


• Commitment to our mission of providing opportunities for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, or have multiple disabilities is essential.