PRN Resident Counselor (Nashville, TN)

About the role

Mental Health Cooperative, Inc. (MHC) is a rare and special place where outstanding company culture is intentional. Clients and associates are treated the same, as equals. Founded in 1993, MHC serves individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders across Middle and East Tennessee.

Responsibilities

• Actively engage consumers during their stay to effectively intervene and problem-solve during a crisis episode.
• Maintain continuous and consistent contact with consumers while admitted to Treatment programs.
• Complete all required paperwork by the end of each shift.
• Advocate for consumer’s needs: Social Security benefits, representative payee, financial assistance; TennCare; Food Stamps; Housing; Set appropriate appointments, i.e., psychiatric, medical, dental, therapy; Assist consumer in referrals to alcohol and other drug treatment, and Transportation.
• Assist consumers in understanding their psychiatric diagnosis and medication.
• Communicate with and support consumers during his/her crisis episode to seek resolution to his/her crisis and reintegrate into his/her primary support systems.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment free of sharps and other potentially harmful objects.
• Search personal belongings of each consumer entering Treatment programs.
• Discuss precipitating events and possible alternatives with each consumer.
• Monitor consumer’s behavior, level of cooperation, and ability to remain safe while in Treatment programs.
• Assist consumer with finding community resources.
• Facilitate consumer groups as needed.
• Complete regular safety checks on each consumer.
• Use de-escalation skills with consumers to avoid any potential problems.
• Provide consumers with needed supplies (food, toiletries, etc).
• Participate in cross-training in all EPS Treatment programs.
• Work collaboratively with MCRT staff.
• Make Customer Service a priority with internal and external customers.
• Communicate effectively with staff, supervisors, and consumers.
• Demonstrate proficiency in taking vital signs.
• Aids in nursing with UDS, obtaining and interpreting.
• Aids in organizing supplies as needed.
• Maintain flexibility in the workplace.
• Attend team meetings, supervision, and training as required.
• Reports all maintenance/facility issues to Supervisor.
• Follow Universal Precautions policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in health-related field of counseling, psychology, or social work preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a non-health related field will be considered.
• Or at least 5 years of experience in a health-related setting.
• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License.
• Acceptable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR).
• Acceptable Criminal Background Investigation.

About You

Internal and external customer service indicative of mutual respect and trust. Effective written and verbal communication. Ability to prioritize, remain calm and focused when dealing with consumer crisis. Remain flexible and demonstrate positive attitude to respond to changing needs.

Physical Demands And Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Company Culture

Mental Health Cooperative, Inc. (MHC) embraces inclusion, diversity and equal opportunity. We're committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Mental Health Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.