Health Counselor MR027

Job Overview

Would you like to join the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) efforts to become the healthiest state in the nation? If so, VDH has a perfect opportunity to join the Mount Rogers Health District’s Population Health team!

We are seeking a highly motivated Health Counselor for the Smyth County Health Department located at:

201 Francis Marion Lane
Marion, VA 24354

This is a full-time, salaried position with full state benefits including 12 paid holidays, health insurance, short term, and long term disability coverage, VRS retirement, and group life insurance. For more information regarding our benefits, please visit: http://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Peer Recovery Specialist grant for a period ending September 30, 2022. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date. Employment is contingent on the continued availability of grant funds.

The Health Counselor position will serve as a member of the Population Health Team. This position will be assigned to work within the Comprehensive Harm Reduction program, as well as the ASPIRE peer program. These programs are designed to help individuals who use substances, with an emphasis on those who use by injection. This position is geared towards professionals with experience working as Peer Recovery Specialists (PRS), or those who have completed the 72-hour training to become a Peer Recovery Specialist.

The work schedule for this position is 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

The Virginia Department of Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Minimum Qualifications

A successful candidate will possess the following minimum qualifications:

Effective oral and written communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
Ability to listen, understand, and empathize in a culturally sensitive manner, and use motivational skills to build rapport with clients and engagement in services; ability to work with diverse populations in diverse settings, develop and make presentations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, comply with program policies, and work independently during various hours and settings (eg., field, non-clinical and clinical, office).
Basic computer knowledge/skills, including word processing, electronic mail, and data entry/management.
In order to expand the program, the employee may be required to travel to other health departments and offsite locations within the district, therefore a valid driver’s license or access to reliable transportation is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Ready to join our knowledgeable, engaged, and valued staff? The following qualifications are preferred:

Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist (Or prior completion of the required 72-hour training to become a Peer Recovery Specialist).
Skilled in establishing supportive relationships with persons with mental illness and substance use disorder, with respect for their rights and personal preferences.
Ability to teach wellness skills and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support individuals in self-directed recovery.

Special Requirements

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHS IG Exclusion List check, employment reference check, and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, or other background checks prior to employment may be required for certain positions. Completion of Statement of Economic Interests will be required upon employment.

VDH accepts only online applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the job closing date.

VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website on page 5 of 10 www.vdh.virginia.gov. VDH is an equal opportunity employer by both policy and practice, therefore prohibits discrimination on basis of sex, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of our workforce. As a V3 organization, VDH honors the Commonwealth’s veteran’s hiring preference.

State agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a onetime dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year’s seasonal influenza vaccination.

Special Instructions to Applicants

VDH accepts only online applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the job closing date.