Mental Health Counselor (Behavioral Health)

About the role

The ACCS Mental Health Counselor provides direct service in a Young Adult Community Crisis Stabilization (YCCS) Program. This program offers a staff-secure, safe, and structured crisis stabilization and treatment environment for adults ages 18+ with behavioral health symptoms, mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders. The role supports individuals requiring 24-hour care in an unlocked, community-based setting as a medically necessary, less-restrictive, and voluntary alternative to inpatient psychiatric hospitalization.

Responsibilities

• Helps prepare clients returning to the community to engage in a recovery process and communicate their strengths and goals to their treatment team and supports.
• Assists with intake and orientation procedures with clients and their families or identified supports.
• Assists with the completion of functional and strengths-based assessments as needed.
• Contributes to the assessment, individualized crisis planning, discharge planning, and care coordination.
• Implements individual’s treatment plan.
• Ensures an environment that promotes safety, recovery, and treatment.
• Participates in training, supervision meetings, staff meetings, and team meetings as requested.
• Assists clients in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, and grocery shopping.
• Performs light meal prep and monitors the dining area.
• Adheres to all company, divisional, and program-specific policies and procedures, including safe work practices, worker’s compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Complies with accreditation and licensing standards, as well as physical site licensing standards and regulations.
• Uses crisis intervention techniques when necessary.
• Accesses on-call backup when needed.
• Completes incident documentation as needed.
• Ensures maintenance and safety of the physical site.
• Provides peer-to-peer support and psycho-education about rehabilitation and recovery (Certified Peer Specialist Staff).
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

• One to two years of job-specific experience in the human services field preferred.
• Bilingual/bi-cultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions are encouraged to apply.
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• CPR certification required within two weeks of hire.
• First Aid certification required within two weeks of hire.
• CPSS (Certified Peer Specialist) certification is required.
• NET (Nonviolent Emergency Techniques) certification is required.

Skills

• Strong commitment to the rights and abilities of individuals served to live, work, and have meaningful relationships in their community of choice.
• Ability to work in a therapeutic milieu setting.
• Skills and competence to establish supportive, trusting relationships with program clients.
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented, person-centered, and strengths-based values, principles, and modalities.
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues.
• Knowledge of human, legal, civil rights, community, and other resources.
• Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles.
• Ability to balance competing priorities.
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity.
• Proficiency in personal computer applications and equipment.

Physical Effort

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb as this is a physically active position.
• Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift.
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
• Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
• Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living.
• Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Driving Requirements

• May be called on to drive for Vinfen using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle.
• A valid driver’s license must be presented at the time of employment.
• Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age and have maintained a valid US driver’s license for at least six months.
• Must pass a driver’s screening background check.
• If driving, must maintain a safe driving record, subject to annual checks.
• If using a personal vehicle, must possess and maintain adequate insurance.

About Vinfen

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen’s 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Pay

USD $23.58 - USD $23.58 per hour.