Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Counselor

Job Overview:

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Counselor provides a combination of culturally and linguistically appropriate individual mental health counseling services, individual and group psychosocial services, and case management to forcibly displaced individuals and families. This position works under the close supervision of a licensed Clinical Supervisor, who provides training, coaching, and supervision of cases. The counselor is expected to learn and implement evidenced-based and evidenced-informed interventions that improve individual, family, and community well-being, and implement services in a client-centered and trauma-informed way. Services must be provided in a linguistically accessible and culturally responsive manner as clients are from various national and ethnic backgrounds, many of whom do not speak English. This position helps educate forcibly displaced individuals and communities about behavioral health and engages in community and provider capacity building to strengthen community capacity to respond to and serve the mental health needs of forcibly displaced people and helps build a strong referral network for forcibly displaced people with mental health concerns and needs.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Work under the direction of a licensed Clinical Supervisor to provide in-office and/or remote group and individual counseling utilizing the most appropriate evidence-based and evidenced-informed practices to mitigate distress and improve symptoms. This includes intake, assessment, and service planning.
• Conduct risk and safety assessment and develop a safety plan with assigned clients as needed and under the supervision of the Clinical Supervisor.
• Based on clients’ needs, coordinate care psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care providers, or other services providers.
• Reduce barriers to services by arranging for interpreters and transportation as needed.
• Maintain client files by completing required documentation, reports, clinical case notes, and data entry in a timely manner.
• Communicate and coordinate regularly with the Mental Health Supervisor to ensure that services are being delivered effectively and in a timely manner.
• Provide network capacity-building activities, including helping develop resources, conducting outreach and providing internal and external training.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with community agencies, case managers and clinical teams; make referrals to other services, support and resources where needed. Be a strong advocate on behalf of clients to ensure they are receiving adequate and quality services.
• Participate in clinical supervision, program meetings, staff development activities, clinical consultations, and fully engage as a member of the team.
• Follow all IRC policies, procedures and protocols including adherence to the IRC Way and Adult/Child Safeguarding.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology or counseling field with practicum experience providing case management and/or counseling services with refugee and immigrant families.
• Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Fluency in English and at least one other language relevant to forcibly displaced populations in the US.
• Strong understanding of the systems and processes that impact forcibly displaced individuals and families.
• Strong intercultural communication skills and demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

Working Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12-month time period.