Counselor II

About the role

The Counselor II at Hampstead Hospital establishes therapeutic relationships with assigned residents and facilitates maintaining the therapeutic environment in the Residential program. The Counselor II provides progressively basic-to-complex patient care services, increasing independence with experience and skill.

Responsibilities

• Creates and implements therapeutic plans and relationships with assigned residents and ensures that treatment plans are followed appropriately so that they may progress toward their goals
• Provide resident-centered care that is resiliency- and recovery-oriented, with a primary focus on patients' health and safety
• Conducts patient group sessions and psycho education and recreation groups under supervision of clinician or program director
• Provide opportunities for residents to attend and participate in community activities and outdoor recreation
• Support residents in developing independent living skills that will help them succeed in the community
• Assists residents 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 the Program Director 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
• Updates and maintains accurate medical records and other documentation in accordance with all Joint Commission, State Licensing, and Medicare standards as applicable
• Follows 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 and/or concerns to the Program Director

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
• Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience
• Each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Valid Driver's License