Counselor I

About the role

The Counselor at Hampstead establishes therapeutic relationships with assigned patients and facilitates maintaining the therapeutic environment in the Psychiatric Unit. This position is Evening Shift, 40 hours per week, every other weekend required. Reporting to the Child Services Unit.

Responsibilities

• Provides progressively basic-to-complex patient care services, increasing independence with experience and skill.
• Creates and implements therapeutic plans and relationships with assigned patients and ensures that treatment plans are followed appropriately for patients to progress toward their goals.
• Conducts patient group sessions and patient education that reflect treatment plans and goals; facilitates daily therapeutic activity groups; ensures follow-up with appropriate clinical and/or support staff.
• Aids patients with daily living and maintains a safe and therapeutic milieu along with an orderly work environment.
• Participates in hospital safety training programs and meets with a Senior Counselor and Supervisor for ongoing mentoring, guidance, and supervision.
• Utilizes interventions consistent with current research relevant to developmental, cultural, and disability-specific needs.
• Maintains current knowledge in the field of psychiatric care to apply a broad range of established therapeutic techniques; work becomes more complex and independent with increased knowledge, training, and experience.
• Consults and communicates with other professional treatment staff regarding various treatment interventions, psychosocial and environmental influences, the availability of community resources, and needs for transition to the community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university with major study in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related behavioral science area.
• Three years' experience in social work, clinical mental health counseling, or related field in a psychiatric in-patient or clinical environment.
• Preferably licensed or eligible for licensure through reciprocity as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in New Hampshire.
• Experience in providing clinical services within the mental health service delivery system.
• Familiarity with computer applications such as e-mail, basic word-processing, and database input.