Mental Health Counselor Frontera Program (Laredo, TX)

Laredo Texas l Full-Time l $50,000-$60,000 annually

Make a Difference Through Meaningful Clinical Work

Serving Children and Adults in Need, Inc., (SCAN) is seeking a compassionate, skilled and clinically motivated Mental Health Counselor to join our multidisciplinary behavioral health team.

This position offers an opportunity to provide meaningful mental health treatment to individuals who may otherwise face significant barriers to care. The Mental Health Counselor will provide individualized, trauma-informed and person-centered services to individuals experiencing mental health disorders and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

At SCAN, counseling is more than addressing symptoms. Our goal is to understand the whole person-their strengths, experiences, relationships, culture, environment, and goals-and work collaboratively toward recovery, improved functioning, and better quality of life.

The counselor will work alongside behavioral health professionals, substance use disorder counselors, case managers, peer and recovery staff, medical providers, and community partners in an integrated system of care. The program also connects participants with HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and other health and supportive services when needed.

This is an excellent opportunity for a clinician who values meaningful therapeutic relationships, evidence-based practice, professional growth, teamwork, and serving the Laredo community.

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Mental Health Counselor at SCAN, you will:

• Provide individual, group, and family counseling based on participant needs and clinical appropriateness.
• Conduct mental health screenings, assessments, clinical evaluations, and ongoing assessment of treatment needs within your professional scope of practice.
• Develop individualized, strengths-based treatment plans in collaboration with participants, incorporating clinical needs, risks, strengths, preferences, and personally meaningful recovery goals.
• Apply evidence-based and evidence-informed therapeutic interventions appropriate to each participant's presenting concerns, diagnosis, developmental needs, culture, and treatment goals.
• Provide care using trauma-informed, culturally responsive, recovery-oriented, and person-centered approaches.
• Recognize and assess co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns and coordinate integrated treatment when indicated.
• Monitor clinical progress and modify treatment approaches and goals based on participant response, changing needs, and clinical judgment.
• Identify safety concerns and provide appropriate risk assessment, crisis intervention, safety planning, consultation, and referral within the counselor's scope of practice.
• Collaborate with substance use disorder counselors, case managers, peer recovery staff, medical providers and other members of the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Help participants overcome barriers to behavioral health care and improve engagement and retention in treatment.
• Assist participants in connecting with HIV testing, prevention, treatment, primary care, and other health and supportive services when appropriate.
• Participate in clinical consultation, supervision, case review, quality management activities, professional development, and multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Maintain accurate, timely, clinically meaningful documentation that reflects assessment, treatment interventions, participant response, progress, and continuity of care.
• Maintain the highest standards of professional ethics, clinical boundaries, and participant confidentiality in accordance with HIPPA, 42 CFR Part 2 when applicable, and other federal and state requirements.
• Assist with the required program and performance data collection while protecting participant confidentiality.
• Support the successful implementation and continued development of the MAI-SI program.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a counselor who combines clinical skill with empathy, curiosity, sound judgment, and respect for the people we serve.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university.
• Current Texas behavioral health professional license or associate-level license. Eligible credentials may include LPC, LPC Associate, LCSW, or LMSW, as applicable.
• Knowledge of mental health assessment, treatment planning, counseling, crisis intervention, and coordination of care
• Ability to conceptualize participant needs from a person-centered, strength-based, and trauma-informed perspective
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary clinical team.
• Bilingual English and Spanish
• Strong interpersonal, written, verbal, organizational, and clinical documentation skills.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and community backgrounds.
• Commitment to professional ethics, appropriate clinical boundaries, and confidentiality.
• Valid Texas driver's license, good driving record, and reliable transportation.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT

SCAN recognizes that good clinical care requires ongoing learning, collaboration, and support. Mental Health Counselors participate in orientation, ongoing training, case consultation, clinical supervision as applicable, multidisciplinary collaboration, and quality-improvement activities designed to strengthen both clinical practice and participant outcomes

We want clinicians not only to provide excellent services, but also to continue developing as behavioral health professionals.

WORK ENVIROMENT

The Mental Health Counselor works within a collaborative, multidisciplinary behavioral health environment. Services may be provided in office, community, outreach, and other approved settings based on participant and program needs.

Some local travel may be required for participant services, care coordination, outreach, training, and other program activities.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary: $50,000-$60,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

Full-Time employees are eligible for:

• Employer-paid health and life Insurance
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation & sick leave
• 401 (K) retirement plan
• Dental and vision insurance available at minimal employee cost
• Bi-weekly pay through direct deposit
• Comprehensive orientation and ongoing job training
• Opportunities for ongoing clinical learning, consultation, and professional development

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The selected applicant must successfully complete all agency-required background checks, screenings, credential verification, and required training before or following employment, as applicable.

Employees must maintain all professional licenses, credentials, continuing education, and other requirements applicable to the position.

GRANT-FUNDED POSITION

This position is currently grant-funded through December 31, 2027. Continued employment beyond that date is dependent upon the availability of funding and satisfactory job performance.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

SCAN, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal or state law.

Deadline: Until position is filled.