Cognitive Counselor (Master's Degree)

Who is Alpharus Health?

Alpharus Health is a national nonprofit behavioral health provider dedicated to helping people build healthier lives. For nearly 60 years, we have provided substance use and mental health treatment that helps individuals, families, and communities find healing, hope, and lasting wellbeing. Our mission is simple: We help people build healthier lives. By combining clinical expertise with a person-centered approach, we help people build the skills, resilience, and support systems needed to create meaningful, lasting change. 

Why join us?

Consider joining our team, where your impact can be truly meaningful. Our organization focuses on delivering high quality clinical services as a recognized leader in evidence-based treatment proven to get results. By joining our team, you'll be working for an organization that values you and aims to be an employer of choice.  You can expect to be part of a vibrant culture that emphasizes teamwork and professional growth. When you join us, you'll discover personal and professional fulfillment by aligning your career with your values.

We are honored to offer behavioral healthcare services in Corrections

Perks of working in correctional healthcare:

• Opportunity to make a positive impact on a marginalized population
• Exposure to diverse patient demographics
• Focus on driving change, tracking progress, and improving care
• Development of skills in a unique healthcare setting

Location: Atascocita - 2310 1/2 Atascocita Rd. Humble, TX 77396

About Our Atascocita Location (Harris County): Alpharus Health’s largest facility, Atascocita is a residential correctional center focused solely on substance use treatment for court-ordered clients. With 12 buildings and nearly 500 clients, the facility provides a structured, secure environment without armed guards. Staff work collaboratively in a team of 170, including counselors, probation officers, and support staff. The location is undergoing major renovations to become a state-of-the-art treatment center. We foster a supportive culture with team-building activities, recognition programs, and a strong mission-driven focus on recovery and rehabilitation.

Work Schedule: Varies

Cognitive Counselors are responsible for:

Under direct supervision, provides support, intervention, advice, and conflict resolution during substance use disorder treatment to encourage clients through difficult phases of recovery by basic didactic group and individual counseling.  Under direct supervision, carries a case load.  Maintains clinical documentation. Performs office administrative duties.

Job Responsibilities:

• Conducts client interviews to review substance use disorder and treatment history. Under weekly supervision and with supervisor’s approval, evaluates client response to treatment to recommend modifications to the treatment plan and assist with caseloads and development of individualized treatment plan and preparing individually appropriate goals, interventions, and necessary support. 
• Assists with and provides basic didactic group counseling, including psychoeducation, drug education, and family education to ensure peer support occurs.
• Under direct supervision provides individual client counseling, educational programs and lectures to address relapse prevention, problem solving, behavior modification, anger management, etc., and to assist in overcoming substance use disorder, adjusting to pro-social life, and making cognitive and behavioral changes.
• Under direct supervision and with supervisor’s approval, carries case load, per State and contract requirements.
• Collaborates with clients to develop discharge summary and plans for supervisor’s approval to integrate aftercare treatment with referral resource services.
• Coordinates services to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations in support of continued recovery. 
• Collects and maintains treatment records and reports to ensure organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and contractual compliance.
• Performs office administrative duties, such as answering telephones; relaying messages; responding to inquiries regarding program services and policies; filing, photocopying and faxing documents; planning special events, assembling intake packets, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimimum Education and Experience:

• Masters in counseling, social work, criminal justice or a related field
• Some experience in a forensic counseling setting or with substance abuse preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of the principles of human growth and psychosocial development
• Basic knowledge of group and individual dynamics, conflict resolution and intervention techniques based on client maturation level
• Basic understanding of mental health disorders requiring referrals
• Basic communication skills to exchange information and interact with various internal and external audiences regarding client care
• Active listening skills and social perceptiveness
• Ability to read and interpret policies and instructions
• Ability to understand side effects and impact of medications on client
• Adaptability / flexibility: ability to shift priorities

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to read, write, and understand and follow written instructions
• Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data
• Ability to record, proofread and check documents and files for accuracy
• Ability to respond to telephones, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises
• Ability to walk and move about the facilities for up to two hours at a time, to monitor and interact with clients
   

Work Environment: 

• Works in a correctional facility where there is exposure to potentially disruptive and violent inmates. The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions, however might experience relatively few discomforts due to dust, dirt, noise and the like.

Compensation: 

• $21.50 - $23.50 per hour
• Alpharus Health conducts annual performance reviews, with merit increase eligibility determined by employee performance and organizational financial performance.  

Benefits at Apharus Health:

Health and Wellness:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health

Financial Wellbeing:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match 
• Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Alpharus
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) 

Flexibility and Time Off:

• 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
• 9 paid company holidays
• Work-life-balance

Personal Development:

• Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU’s and job-related training
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Alpharus Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.