A Mental or Behavioral Health Counselor works with patients to treat mental health problems. Assesses patients and assists with diagnosis, counseling and crisis intervention. Consults with nurses, doctors and psychiatrists. May work with specific populations, such as youth, senior citizens or substance abusers, in group settings, facilities or hospitals.
To provide high quality patient care within an adult residential treatment milieu for patients with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Essential Responsibilities:
PATIENT CONTACT
Actively participates therapeutically in the community in order to engage patients in treatment, treatment planning, and interventions. Provides physical, emotional, and protective care for patients consistent with treatment planning in both structured and unstructured patient activities/settings. Demonstrate an attitude of acceptance of diversity with staff and patients. Attend, participates, and communicates with treatment team and other team meetings regarding patient interactions, observations, and changes in patient status. Facilitates, assists and provides support with assigned patient supports/activities (e.g. patient admissions/discharges, group facilitation, collection of urine drug screens, safety checks, patient orientations, admissions, transfers, discharge, meals, laundry, nursing care, mail distribution, meetings on the unit, etc.). Greets and monitors patient visitors to the unit. Drives/escorts patients to off site meetings or appointments as needed.
DOCUMENTATION
Assures appropriate documentation in patient record for important behavioral observations/interactions related to successful progress in treatment. Documents in patient log significant issues for smooth transition between shifts Informs staff of missing and/or needed documentation in patient record. Assists in collecting demographic information from patients.
TEAM MEMBER
Acts as an active team member providing and supporting patient care. Contributes and carries out individualized treatment plans. Attends and participates in unit meetings. Provides coverage for the unit as scheduled and as needed for uninterrupted patient care. Actively participates and involves self with supervision. Works collaboratively with staff with minimal conflict. Able to resolve conflicts with patients and staff. Able to use effective communication skills with team and patients/families. Assist nursing staff as needed. Perform other unit duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
Experience Minimum three (3) years of experience in mental health, addictions treatment setting or residential treatment facility treating adults and families with mental health / addiction issues. Education Bachelors degree in psychology, social work, or closely related field from an accredited institution License, Certification, Registration Basic Life Support within 1 months of hire National Provider Identifier required at hire
Additional Requirements:
Understands and explains counseling skills and the therapeutic intentionality of basic counseling practice and the recovery/treatment process for adults and families. Able to describe and demonstrate reflective listening skills/process. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of, and explain basic group dynamics, facilitation skills, conflict diffusion, and how to use those skills. Experience or demonstrated ability to provide education groups. Demonstrate and describe a thorough working knowledge of patient observation and assessment skills, interpersonal skills, a non-judgmental and compassionate approach to patient care, problems solving skills, empathy, and professional boundary-setting abilities. Working knowledge of best practices in mental health and/or addictions treatment. Knowledge of the community-based support groups. Thorough and working knowledge of professional ethics (including but not limited to roles, values, dual relationships, undue influence, and boundaries) and the legal requirements for abuse reporting. Aware of the cultural and psychological influences on the counseling process. Working knowledge of universal precautions of body fluids. Awareness of the accepted practice protocols (including charting protocols) and other professional behaviors for addiction and mental health counselors. Demonstrates customer-focused service skills. Excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Able to facilitate and learn additional mental health and alcohol and drug curriculums. When working with detox patients, ability to support the psychosocial needs of these patients by providing specific resources related to their aftercare transition plan. Able to manage data and data related projects. Ability to apply assessment tools in reviewing referrals, eg
ASAM CSSRS
Preferred Qualifications:
Five (5) years of experience within residential treatment facility treating adults and families with addictions and mental health conditions. CADC (or equivalent state addiction certification) Experience in providing mental health and substance abuse consultation. Ability to describe and demonstrate a thorough understanding of group facilitation and CBT and DBT therapies. Understands role as mandatory reporter for neglect, sexual and physical abuse. Working knowledge of universal precautions of body fluids. Aware of state requirements for licensing residential co-occurring treatment programs. Ability to use appropriate procedural/testing equipment. Comfortable interfacing with large provider and support staff groups. Previous computer experience with electronic medical records.
