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. The Counselor provides progressively basic-to-complex patient care services, increasing independence with experience and skill. This position reports to the Adolescent Services Unit.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement therapeutic plans and relationships with assigned patients and ensure treatment plans are followed appropriately for patients to progress toward their goals.
• Provide patient-centered care that is resiliency and recovery-oriented, focusing on patients' health and safety.
• Conduct patient group sessions and patient education that reflect treatment plans and goals; facilitate daily therapeutic activity groups; ensure follow-up with appropriate clinical and/or support staff.
• Assist patients with daily living and maintain a safe and therapeutic milieu along with an orderly work environment.
• Participate in hospital safety training programs and meet with a Senior Counselor and Supervisor for ongoing mentoring, guidance, and supervision.
• Utilize interventions consistent with current research relevant to developmental, cultural, and disability-specific needs.
• Maintain 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.
• Consult and communicate 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.