Position Summary

OnPoint NYC is seeking a Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker. This position is a critical component for the agency’s street and office-based Mental Health program, which includes low-threshold risk reduction education, general social work services, drug treatment placement, HIV and HCV counseling and testing, the provision of educational and support groups, and low-threshold mental health services. OnPoint NYC’s service model is based on educating participants and facilitating empowerment so that individuals advocate for themselves and make self-identified changes in their lives.  

Consistent with this philosophy, OnPoint NYC’s mental health services help participants identify their strengths, needs, and barriers to accessing services, while promoting concepts of wellness, developing their support networks, and connecting them to opportunities to identify, influence, and change the policies that affect their lives.  The Mental Health Counselor/Social Worker is key to ensuring that OnPoint NYC operates in a manner consistent with the principles of Harm Reduction and is responsible for modeling behavior consistent with an agency culture that values education, growth and collaborative team-based management.  

Reports to: Associate Director of Mental Health
Annual Salary: $75,000 – $90,000
Position Type: Full Time
Hours Per Week: 35 hours per week/Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm. 1 Saturday a month required.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health subject matter expertise and consultative support to staff working in the Drop-In Center, the Overdose Prevention Center, and the Holistic Center.
• Facilitate brief interventions in the Drop-In Center, the Holistic Center and the Overdose Prevention Center, engaging participants and educating them about available services.
• Provide support to Drop-In Center staff and Overdose Prevention Center staff in crisis situations, utilizing crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies.   
• Screen participants for current symptoms of common mental health conditions utilizing valid and reliable screening tools such as the PHQ-9, the GAD-7, and the PTSD Checklist.
• Conduct assessments of clients seeking mental health and social work services.   
• Carry a caseload of 15-25 participants, engaging participants in regular counseling and therapy services.
• Provide ‘light touch’ therapeutic and crisis intervention engagements to a larger number of participants (25+) in OnPoint’s lower-threshold programs including the Drop-In Center/Lounge spaces, respite rooms and Overdose Prevention Center.
• Support case management team in providing clients with complex care coordination services.
• Ensure maintenance of proper documentation and conduct regular chart audits.  
• Coordinate care with NY metro-area social work and mental health counseling programs.
• Assess environment for group service needs, gathering information from participants and staff; identify group-based curricula that meet these needs; schedule, plan, promote, facilitate and document group services.
• Continuously monitor and report on outcomes, service deliverables, and participant satisfaction, and work with the Director of Holistic and Clinical Care and the Data and Evaluation department to implement a comprehensive quality management plan that includes the development of appropriate performance measures.
• Represent OnPoint NYC in the community, at conferences, and with other service providers as needed.
• Monitor feedback from staff and participants to ensure that the agencies to which we refer are effective and treat participants with respect and dignity.
• Work on a multidisciplinary clinical team and with external providers to coordinate the delivery of these services (including medical and dental care, and food and clothing distribution) to OnPoint NYC participants.
• Continually and proactively educate yourself about new developments in the field and work with colleagues to share information and best practices.
• Perform other related tasks and responsibilities as assigned.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS

• LCSW, LMSW, or LMHC preferred but not required. Candidates who do not have a license are required to obtain a license or limited permit within 6 months of obtaining employment with OnPoint NYC.
• Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) certification or willingness to obtain within 6 months preferred.
• Should have two or more years of direct service experience with marginalized populations including active drug users, sex workers, and formerly incarcerated individuals.  Experience with the delivery of street-based services and outreach strongly preferred.
• Significant work and/or life experience in the areas of substance use, sex work, HIV and HCV required.  Knowledge of the Bronx, East Harlem, and/or Washington Heights IDU/substance use communities preferred.   
• Must have strong interpersonal and team building skills, excellent communication and presentation skills, and the ability and willingness to be hands-on and creatively solve problems as they arise. Strong clinical and administrative skills are required.
• Must be committed to the Harm Reduction philosophy and to working with marginalized people (mainly people who use drugs and sex workers) in a multi-cultural, multi-racial environment in a non-judgmental manner.
• Must be dedicated to advancing an agenda of equal rights and social justice for marginalized individuals, especially through participation in advocacy and community activism.
• Proficiency with MS Office (including Word, Excel and Outlook) and use of the Internet for research required.
• Experience documenting services in an electronic Health Record (eHR) strongly preferred.
• Must be willing and able to work outdoors and on Mobile Units at our street sites hours may vary, and working one (1) Saturday per month is required.   
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) is highly preferred

This is a bargaining unit position represented by New England Joint Board, Unite Here.