Job Information
University of Washington STUDENT COUNSELOR in Seattle, Washington
Req #: 239329
Department: SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Job Location Detail: Hybrid eligible
Posting Date: 10/02/2024
Closing Info: Open Until Filled
Salary: $5,847 - $6,667 per month
Shift: First Shift
Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701_a11y.pdf)
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.
The University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSoM) is looking for a UWSoM Student Counselor (Counselor) to join their team.
The Counselor provides confidential, free, individual and couples counseling to students in the M.D. degree, physician assistant, and rehabilitation medicine programs and their partners, as appropriate, and facilitates student wellness programs. The Counselor provides consultation for staff, faculty, and administration on student concerns. This position works collaboratively with School of Medicine (SoM) and regional WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) partners to support students throughout their training.
Counselors are currently providing in-person and virtual sessions via Zoom, and work until 7pm two times per week to provide services to students.
The Counselor has frequent contact with students in the M.D. and Allied Health programs and works closely with administrative leadership across the five-state WWAMI region. This position must be experienced in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric disorders, including suicide risk assessment, and able to handle confidential information responsibly. The Counselor must have a welcoming demeanor and be able work effectively with students, faculty, and staff who possess a wide range of perspectives, values, beliefs or political affiliations while maintaining a non-judgmental and unbiased professional posture.
The Counselor impacts the scope and quality of the SoM medical education program provided to 1,100+ enrolled medical students, 200+ physician assistant students, and 200+ rehabilitation medicine students. The position is integral in ensuring that counseling services are accessible and available to all students across the WWAMI region. Research has shown that graduate students in the medical and healthcare related fields experience a higher degree of stress, depression, burnout, and anxiety than graduate students in other programs. The Counselor provides critical assistance and services towards fulfilling the national standards for services as required by federal and state laws, university regulations, and school accrediting organizations.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Student Counseling Services (60%):
Provide brief, solution-focused individual, couples and/or group counseling to students and their spouses/partners via in-person or distance counseling. Maintain appropriate documentation for each session/contact and adhere to professional standards as established by governing organizations and associations.
Provide crisis intervention services and resources to students during business hours, as needed.
Assist students in addressing personal, mental health, academic and professional concerns.
Conduct mock interviews and provide feedback to students in the preparation for Student Progress Committee interviews.
In consultation with the director, make appropriate referrals for medication assessment and management, and specialized and/or long-term treatment.Wellness Support & Community Building (25%):
Design and implement wellness programs and services for students and their partners (e.g. workshops, seminars, groups, and/or events).
Participate in Wellness Council meetings. Provide consultation and support to students in the creation of student-led wellness activities.
Generate email/newsletter content on topics related to student mental health and well-being.
Use and maintain the SoM library of self-help and mental health resource materials.
Develop and facilitate workshops in consultation with the director and other departments within the SoM.
Ensure that all programs and services provided reflect a commitment to and respect for equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
Participate in other SoM programs and events, such as orientations, class meetings, graduations, and other ceremonies.Consultation & Referrals (10%):
Consult with faculty, staff, and administration as needed regarding wellness programs, student issues, and/or student progress/behavior while maintaining strict confidentiality.
Coordinate referrals with other campus and community providers as appropriate (e.g. student health services, disability services, Washington Physicians Health Program, etc.).
Consult with academic support and/or career advising on issues related to student learning, academic performance, and/or residency match, as appropriate.Administrative Duties (5%):
Maintain quarterly statistics of UWSoM Student Wellness and Counseling Services activities.
Participate in meetings and committees as required (e.g. weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.).
Participate in staff development as requested.
Complete special projects or additional duties as required by the director of wellness and counseling services. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Master’s degree in a mental health field (Social Work, Marriage and Family Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, or Clinical Psychology) and at least two years of counseling experience.
Must have current Washington state license, including those with an “Associate” designation, as a mental health provider. Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Experienced in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric disorders, to include suicide risk assessment. Familiarity with assessment and treatment of common problems seen in the Counseling Service including mood and anxiety concerns, transition and adjustment to graduate education, relationship conflict, along with other similar issues seen in outpatient settings.
Ability to handle confidential information responsibly.
Ability to interpret and communicate to others complex policies and procedures.
Proven track record in exercising discretion and independent judgment effectively in decision-making processes.
Demonstrated commitment and respect for equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently with a high degree of reliability, accuracy and productivity.
Effective at dealing with sensitive issues and maintaining collegial relationships.
Computer proficiency in a Windows environment. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience providing counseling in a higher education or health care setting.
Experience working with racial and ethnic minority populations, LGBTQ and other under-represented populations.
Experience working with models of time-limited and evidenced-based psychotherapy, in addition to group theory and process.
Experience with crisis counseling working in an emergency department or acute care clinic.
Experience and/or familiarity with medical school programs. CONDITITONS OF EMPLOYMENT The position may require the employee to work beyond a normal work week (e.g. more than 40 hours a week). The position requires evening time (until 7pm two times per week) and intermittently weekend time to provide counseling services, meet project deadlines, and give presentations at events and/or meetings.Telework may be permissible in a limited capacity. Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.