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.

Responsibilities

• Provides patient-centered care that is resiliency and recovery-oriented, with a primary focus on patients' health and safety.
• 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.
• 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.
• Updates and maintains accurate medical records and other documentation in accordance with all Joint Commission, State Licensing, and Medicare standards as applicable.
• Fulfills program and departmental policies and procedures as well as discipline-specific standards and expectations with regard to psychosocial assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, and other required forms and reports.
• Promotes the hospital culture of patient safety in a non-punitive atmosphere; observes and reports significant events &/or concerns to the Senior Counselor/Charge Nurse/Milieu Supervisor.

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.
• License or eligibility for licensure through reciprocity as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in New Hampshire preferred.
• 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.