Counseling Manager

Position Summary:
The Counseling Manager for Continuity (Counseling Manager) at the University Counseling Center (UCC) is a mid-level clinical staff position that will provide leadership to clinicians and perform comprehensive mental health and consultation services for Vanderbilt University’s diverse student population with a focus on normal transitional and developmental stressors young adults experience in a university setting. The Counseling Manager is one of two Counseling Managers reporting to the Associate Director for Continuity, and one of four Counseling Managers at the UCC. The position will provide clinical and administrative supervision to the UCC Counselors reporting to them, ensuring Individual Service Plans (ISPs) are met, help new counselors gauge and assess treatment needs particularly for more complex diagnoses, assist in determining if off-campus care or termination of client relationship is appropriate, and managing team workloads effectively to support student needs in the UCC.

Typical duties include, but are not limited to, providing clinical assessment and individual and group counseling and crisis intervention services to Vanderbilt University undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, the development of treatment plans, conceptualization of clinical presentations that take into account unique aspects of identity, and assisting UCC Counselors in determining appropriate treatment plan recommendations, continuation or termination of client relationship. This position will also perform community outreach, consultation, and liaison activities including some limited evening hours as needed to support satellite and/or outreach services. Specific events and scenarios may also require after-hour consultation and/or postvention work. Multicultural awareness and responsiveness are important components of all clinical and community outreach-oriented work.

About the Work Unit:
The University Counseling Center (UCC) supports the mental health needs of Vanderbilt students, encouraging their work toward their academic and personal goals. Our highly skilled and multidisciplinary staff develop evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each individual’s unique background and needs by working together with students, campus partners, and community providers. The UCC also emphasizes prevention and education through collaboration and consultation focused on the development of the skills and self-awareness needed to excel in a challenging educational environment. We offer culturally responsive services in a safe and affirming space and are committed to engaging in an ongoing dialogue that provides our team with opportunities to grow in the context of their own cultural identity development. The UCC is committed to understanding the role of diverse experiences and backgrounds in order to best promote mental health and wellbeing in the lives of individuals and in our community.

About the Student Care Network:
The Student Care Network (SCN) is comprised of the Center for Student Wellbeing, Student Care Coordination, the University Counseling Center, and the Student Health Center. The SCN is a holistic network of services and resources pertaining to health and wellness available to all Vanderbilt University students who have paid the Student Health Fee. As such, staff within the offices comprising the SCN work collaboratively to create integrated processes, referrals, and treatment plans to better serve the entire student.
 

About Student Affairs at Vanderbilt:
Student Affairs serves a central role in student learning and development at Vanderbilt, advancing the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service. Student Affairs at Vanderbilt cultivates vibrant, inclusive communities that foster a student’s sense of belonging and wellbeing through collaborative partnerships, transformative learning experiences, and an accessible and holistic network of resources. We value connection, belonging, compassion, development, and innovation. Our staff are committed to continued growth in knowledge, awareness, skills, and experience engaging with these priorities in a higher education environment.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Provide professional, short-term mental health services to students:

• Provide an integrated assessment of students presenting for counseling to include the influence of bio-psycho-social variables on treatment and to effectively guide subsequent treatment planning.
• Develop appropriate treatment plans to target the needs of the student within a short-term, multidisciplinary, and multimodal system of care and collaborate effectively with other treatment resources for the benefit of students.
• Participate in the planning of effective and innovative intervention and skill development programs for students based on knowledge and awareness of emergent campus mental health trends and needs.
• Develop effective working relationships with the Vanderbilt community, including Student Care Network entities, academic deans, faculty, residential staff, Student Affairs departments, Vanderbilt University Police Department, and other relevant campus partners, to ensure a collaborative support network on campus to respond to student needs and optimize support and safety for Vanderbilt students.
• Provide outreach and educational programming to campus community to support an ethos of care, resilience, wellness, and skill development.
• Maintain appropriate and timely documentation for recordkeeping and communication with other service providers based on ethical and legal standards and requirements to enhance care for students.
• As needed, provide clinical assessments of students in a mental health crisis demonstrating effective diagnostic skills and effective treatment planning for a variety of mental health concerns and conditions, with varying levels of severity.

• Maintain the expectations of Individual Service Plan which outlines a 40% caseload level throughout the academic year.

  Provide Administrative and Clinical Supervision for UC Counselors:

• Serve as part of the Continuity team leadership to help develop policies and protocols for the team’s work, review treatment and case notes to ensure consistent and professional practice, and build an atmosphere of trust and professionalism amongst team members.
• Provide clinical supervision to UCC Counselors and trainees to support clinical work and compliance with ethical/legal standards for documentation, practice and developing treatment plans.
• Guide UCC Counselors in determining appropriate treatment plan recommendations, continuation or termination of client relationship.
• Consult on cases involving alcohol or other drug dependency, disordered eating, and other complex cases typical in the college environment.
• Track performance and compliance with Individual Service Plans and quality of clinical work as determined by Associate Director of Continuity.
• Provide clear performance expectations, effective and on-going feedback, regular and annual evaluations to ensure staff understand expectations and are successful in fulfilling their job functions.
• Assist in staff professional growth by offering professional development opportunities that will enhance counselors as clinicians and team-oriented colleagues.

• Ensure staff are adhering to department, division, and university policies and procedures.

  Perform consultation for staff and trainees:

• Work closely with Associate Directors to assess staff training and support needs to assess and enhance Counselor performance.
• Provide specific crisis related consultation to other UCC clinicians and trainees.
• Participate in training activities including case conference, small group supervision, and seminars/workshops to support trainee development and progress within the UCC’s accredited training program.

• Co-facilitate therapy and skill-based groups/works with trainees to provide effective treatment and coping skill development for students as well as learning and role modeling for trainee co-facilitators.

  Institutional, Divisional, and Department Administration activity:

• Contribute to the broader mission and objectives of Student Affairs and the University by serving on divisional and institutional committees, task forces, and working groups. 

• Actively participate in key divisional initiatives and events, including Move-In Day and all-division meetings and gatherings. 

• Maintain a working knowledge of relevant university policies, procedures, and systems—such as those related to travel, procurement, expense, and time reporting—to ensure effective, compliant, and responsible operations.  

• Demonstrate a collaborative spirit by supporting divisional colleagues and engaging in efforts that advance shared goals and strategic priorities. 

Supervisory Relationships:
This position provides administrative and clinical supervision for up to 3 Continuity Counselors who may be licensed or unlicensed. The position reports administratively and functionally to the UCC Associate Director of Continuity. This position also has clinical supervisory responsibility for unlicensed and newly licensed mental health clinicians and trainees as assigned.

Education and Certifications:

• A Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education in psychology, counseling, social work or other mental health-related field is necessary.
• Active clinical supervision certification is strongly preferred, and required within the first 6 months.

Experience and Skills:

• 6+ years of clinical experience is required.
• 3+ years working with high acuity patients is required.
• Training in trauma-informed practices is preferred.
• Experience with young adult population is required.
• Experienced in crisis care evaluation and intervention is preferred.
• Experience working in a higher education setting is preferred.
• Effective interpersonal skills to form and maintain meaningful relationships with students, colleagues, and all stakeholders is required.
• Demonstrated skill in written and oral communication, including public speaking and group meeting facilitation is required.
• Demonstrated team orientation in style and philosophy is required.
• Leadership skills and abilities such as ability to effectively manage with various communication styles, experiences, and backgrounds in mind; delegate; collaborate; manage time; multitask and pivot quickly; work through ambiguity; and adjust as needed through systems changes is necessary.
• Specific knowledge, experience, and skills in providing services to a diverse student population including APIDA, international, Latinx, African-American, LGBTQI, military, first-generation, low-income, and/or rural is preferred.
• Evident language fluency in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, Hindi, Bengali or other Asian languages is preferred.