Crisis Counselor - Community Based Counseling at LifeWorks Austin in Austin, Texas

Job Description:

LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for a full-time Crisis Counselor to join our Community Based Counseling team! As a fully licensed and experienced counselor, the Crisis Counselor provides crisis services to transition aged youth with a history of trauma, who may be experiencing homelessness, justice involvement, and other systemic barriers to stabilization.  Services are primarily community based. The Crisis Counselor demonstrates robust clinical knowledge and skill, works independently, and is able to thrive in a faced-paced environment responding to the high acuity needs of clients and support other staff in stabilizing crisis.  This position is also critical in establishing and strengthening relationships with other system partners who may be needed to secure higher levels of care, such as the local mental health authority or mental health law enforcement officers. This position carries a small caseload of clients who are working toward stabilization while being connected to appropriate mental health services.

This full time, exempt position earns a competitive rate ranging from $73,982.31-$80,846.65 Benefits are also included, which consist of 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 15 paid holidays per year; a free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options!); a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions, and much more!

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide client-centered, healing-centered crisis counseling services to diverse individuals who may have experienced chronic homelessness, systems involvement, mental health challenges, substance use challenges, a history of trauma, early pregnancy/parenthood, etc.


• Provides counseling and crisis services including intake, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, record keeping and documentation, case management, evaluation and follow-up.


• Provides crisis response and de-escalation to clients in immediate need.


• Supports other agency staff managing crisis situations, offering best available resources, and guidance including community supports, etc.


• Facilitates clinical staffing meeting with other clinical and non-clinical teams who are providing wraparound supports in the areas of housing, workforce, education, and mental health.


• Administers client services as appropriate to program, which may include:
  
  
  
  • intake and assessment
  
  
  • diagnosis, session planning and treatment
  
  
  • accurate and timely documentation of services in agency database
  
  
  • record keeping, including third party billing documentation
  
  
  • limited case management duties as appropriate
  
  
  • evaluation of client progress
  
  
  • completing follow-ups with clients after case closure
  
  
  • contacting and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders
  
  
  
  


• Provides appropriate referrals; keeps apprised of available community resources.


• Collaborates with and/or coordinates with the community’s crisis response teams, such as MCOT, Mental Health Officers, and Austin Police Department.  


• Follows the guidelines of oversight entities including the program, agency, funder and/or accrediting body.


• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships internally and externally.


• Attends team meetings and supervision.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling or a related field and advanced licensure.


• Requires 2+ years post-graduate direct clinical experience.


• Competent in use of electronic systems such as client databases, MS Office including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint.

ABOUT LIFEWORKS

With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, we are a fearless advocate for youths who are on journeys to lives they love and stability for themselves and their families. LifeWorks goal is to be able to provide clients with the resources they need a place to call home, the chance to heal, and the opportunity to learn and to work. We have one of the most comprehensive continuums of housing and support options for vulnerable youth in the country. We are committed to innovative problem saving, shared accountability and a relentless focus on achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve. A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow and develop your professional skills while making an immediate difference in the lives of youth and families in our community.

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