National War College Alumni Association

GENERALIST COUNSELOR/ADVOCATE

NF-0101-04

I.       INTRODUCTION:  This position is that of a fully credentialed clinical counselor/advocate located within the Counseling and Advocacy Program (CAP) at the Fleet and Family Support Center, Navy Region Southwest (NRSW).  The primary purpose of the position is to provide direct service in the form of counseling individuals, couples, families, and groups on matters pertaining to family dynamics, parent-child interaction, couples communication, stress reduction, adjustment to military lifestyles, Family Advocacy Program (FAP) case management, treatment services and psycho-educational training programs.  Clinical counseling includes the psychosocial assessment of individuals, development of treatment plans, treatment delivery, and appropriate referral.  Case management services include the identification, reporting, risk assessment, safety planning, psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, treatment, referral, and follow-up of child and spouse abuse allegations for active duty military members and their families.  The position requires knowledge of intensive psychosocial services and a wide range of skills (casework, group work, individual and family therapy).  Cases may involve multiple difficult and complex family problems including dual diagnoses, violence and impulsivity, and a variety of other mental health problems.

Factor 1:  Knowledge Required by the Position

1. Successful candidates for this position shall meet all qualifications as outlined below:

• State licensure or state certification that provides legal authority to provide

clinical services as an independent practitioner.

• When the state licensing or certification requirements include a written

examination, candidates must have achieved a passing score on that examination.

• Possess at least a master’s degree in one of the following clinical fields; Marriage and Family therapy, Social Work, or Psychology from an accredited program.

• Have engaged in 2 years (which includes at least 2000 hours) full-time, post-

masters supervised clinical experience.

1. Knowledge of the military lifestyle that furnished the employee with an understanding of the specific demands of military lifestyles, such as frequent separations, and high stress working environments that have an extensive impact on individuals and their families.

1. Ability to present sensitive, at times controversial information to groups of people in a clear, concise manner.

1. Ability to modify programs to meet the ever changing needs of the active duty military community.

1. Ability to recognize, identify and assess mental disorders per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

1. Understanding of, and ability to, apply family systems, brief solution-focused, and motivation-interviewing treatment techniques.

1. Knowledge of dynamics and diagnostic skills necessary for family violence identification, risk assessment, and safety planning.

1. Knowledge of family violence treatment principles for victims and offenders.

1. Knowledge of group dynamics.

1. Knowledge in the areas of family systems particularly as it relates to patterns of abusive behavior and abuse response, substance abuse, human behavior, human sexuality, attention deficit disorder, and juvenile delinquency.

1. Ability to recognize and define personal and social problems, to independently reach accurate conclusions, and to provide appropriate solutions.

1. Ability to effectively interview, and clinically respond to the needs of clients including assessing suicidal and homicidal and substance abuse.

1. Ability to communicate orally to interview alleged offenders and victims; to maintain cooperative and professional relationships with law enforcement, Child Protective Services, medical treatment facilities, and senior personnel from commands of offenders and victims; makes IDC presentation notes; and to exercise strong facilitation skills for individual and group counseling.

1. Ability to communicate in writing to develop and prepare case management memos, correspondence, and reports; to document psycho-social assessments, treatment plans, and IDC reports; to develop lesson plans for briefing and classroom presentations.

1. Knowledge and ability to use a personal computer and a variety of software programs to develop multi-media presentations and to facilitate work assignments.

Factor 2: Supervisory Controls

1. The incumbent shall report directly to the FFSC CAPS for both clinical and administrative supervision. Work is performed independently with the CAPS/Clinical Director kept informed of progress in clinical supervisory sessions and consulted when major or unusual problems arise.  Case referrals are accepted and evaluated, treatment is initiated, and disposition accomplished without supervisor's specific approval.  Work may be administratively and clinically reviewed while in progress and upon completion.

1. In the event of a mental health emergency or high-risk situation the incumbent will follow all Navy and FFSC policy and procedures in a manner reflective of his/her level of privileging respecting any limitations in the scope of FFSC services as per instruction.