Triage Counselor

Essential Job Duties:

This position as a Triage Counselor is an integral part of clinical service access to the counseling center. The center is responsible for all mental health services for students at NC State University. The first point of access to services will occur through this clinician. This position will interact with and assess needs of students as well as determine if immediate risk is evident. A major focus of the job will be to partner with existing staff members to connect students to needed services either immediately or by appointment.

Specific functions will include providing professional assessment, crisis, counseling and outreach services to NC State students as well as consultation to University administrators, staff and others who have concerns about the mental/emotional status of NC State students. This position acts as a screener for risk and must be knowledgeable in determining appropriate modalities of care such as individual, group, couples counseling and assessment. Flexibility and adaptability is needed to manage the demands of when to refer and when to assess as the primary clinician. Team skills will be utilized to collaborate with regard to all treatment decisions for students.

After hours crisis response, assessment, on-call and coordination is necessary as well as providing prevention and intervention outreach and consultation. The team approach is used during shared risk assessment. As part of a counseling center in-house team, this staff member will evaluate risk level of incoming students, assist in identifying and tracking of at-risk students as well as assisting in follow-up consultations, act as a “first responder” to students in crisis and make determinations for referral, level of care and primary modality of treatment.

Clinical Staff provide professional individual and group counseling services and outreach to NC State students as well as consultation to University administrators, staff and others who have concerns about the mental/emotional status of NC State students.

Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Clinical Service (in accordance with IACS standards)

• Provide individual and group counseling, as well as crisis intervention services for students/clients.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments (personal, academic, and vocational) and provide appropriate counseling interventions.
• Evaluate students for potential withdrawal from the University.
• Provide evaluations and recommendations for students experiencing academic and conduct-related concerns.
• Participate in after-hours “on-call” rotation and provide occasional evening office hours, as needed.

Indirect Clinical and Outreach Services

• Complete clinical documentation, including note writing and session preparation.
• Develop and participate in outreach programming and prevention initiatives.
• Provide consultation to faculty, staff, parents, and other stakeholders.
• Engage in case management activities to support continuity of care.

Administrative and Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in staff meetings, committees, and other administrative functions.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• Perform general administrative duties in support of Counseling Center operations.

Other Responsibilities:

• Adhere responsibly to Center policies and procedures.
• Maintain communication with other Center staff to foster positive client services.
• Effectively utilize the Center’s electronic medical records/scheduling program.
• Complete all documentation in a timely manner
• Establish and provide statistical information as requested.
• Receive regular supervision from designated supervisor.
• Attend clinical and administrative staff meetings as assigned by supervisor.
• Serve on center committees and teams as directed by supervisor.
• Work closely with staff at all units to assure timely responsiveness and customer service.
• Perform public relations duties as needed.
• Respond promptly to requests for services, both walk-in and telephone.
• Assess needs of applicants for service by both telephone and in person.
• Work to link applicants to the most appropriate services both within and outside the Counseling Center.
• Assist in emergency admission situations as needed.
• Follow up on referrals to both inpatient and outpatient programs.
• Present a positive image of the Center to the public.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree required and a doctorate preferred in psychology, counseling, or clinical social work or closely-related field.
• Independently Licensed in the State of North Carolina in appropriate discipline and maintained according to NC laws.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Strong clinical skills and interpersonal skills and a well-integrated understanding of short-term therapy, crisis intervention, community consultation, and outreach programming are necessary.
• Successful candidates will be strong generalist clinicians who are multiculturally affirming and possess competence and experience in working with varied populations.
• Thorough knowledge of ethics and law in research/data applications for contemporary issues in psychology.
• Experience with models of triage and referral.
• Commitment to multicultural competencies, strong clinical skills, experience handling crisis situations, strong interpersonal skills, experience in a college counseling setting.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a cohesive team-oriented environment.
• Knowledge of legal and ethical issues in counseling.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a university counseling center is desirable.
• Experience utilizing a time-limited model of care.
• Computer word processing skills and expertise with other software programs such as Excel, PowerPoint, Wordpress, Qualtrics, EMR and other Internet applications.

Required License(s) or Certification(s):

State of North Carolina Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or eligible to attain such licensure within one year of hire due to an out of state move.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In addition to application, please attach resume, cover letter, and contact information for at least three professional references.