Rehabilitation Counselor (A/B)

About the role

The Rehabilitation Counselor works as a member of the Rehab Services Department and collaboratively with the assigned unit team to design and facilitate rehabilitation groups and treatment opportunities that promote recovery and independent living skills for people living with severe and persistent mental illness. They facilitate group programs that provide opportunities for skill building in leisure planning, vocational skills, supported education, and community transition. They provide individual and small group treatment including recovery education designed to address the needs of patients who demonstrate high volume self-injurious and aggressive behaviors, as well as rehab advocacy for assigned patients. The Rehabilitation Counselor monitors and evaluates individual progress collaboratively with the person and treatment team, completes required documentation, and participates in rehab department meetings and supervision to ensure appropriate and available programming.

Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively with the Rehab Team and Multi-disciplinary Team to plan, organize, facilitate, and evaluate skill-building groups and activities that promote recovery, wellness, and transition to the community for patients living with persistent mental illness.
• Designs and facilitates, in collaboration with the rehab department, a group program that includes skill building, recovery-oriented educational, leisure, and vocational activities, tailored to patients’ age and skill level.
• Facilitates groups on and off the units; helps organize special events and holiday activities.
• Coordinates with rehab and nursing staff to ensure groups are organized, attended, and consistently held; informs staff and patients of activities through verbal and written schedules and notices.
• Ensures unit-based groups are integrated into the unit rehabilitation schedule.
• Provides recreational therapy programming for the assigned unit after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, weekend day shifts, and some holidays; coordinates, plans, and administers recreational, social, educational, and art groups.
• Independently plans, organizes, supervises, and reviews special community events and activities to encourage growth and motivation for patients; solicits community businesses (museums, theaters, sports, etc.) for donations of tickets, tours, etc. to support community awareness and integration efforts.
• Attends rounds, team meetings, and other relevant meetings to give and hear progress, discuss referrals, and review problems and issues.
• Evaluates each patient’s needs for rehabilitation interventions through direct observation, record review, one-on-one interviews, and discussions with caregivers; completes all documentation related to patient care and department protocol in a timely manner; makes recommendations for rehab treatment and referrals.
• Evaluates need for and requests materials and supplies.
• Drives a van for leisure/recreational activities and community field trips.

Requirements

• Understanding of the principles and techniques of recovery and rehabilitation.
• Comprehension of the types and symptoms of mental and/or emotional disorders.
• Knowledge of motivational and reinforcement techniques.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of therapeutic recreation.
• Understanding of safety practices and procedures followed in general recreation activities.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of counseling as applied to therapeutic recreation.
• Ability to interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress.
• Capacity to give clear oral instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
• Ability to exercise leadership in group situations.
• Ability to write concisely, express thoughts clearly, and develop ideas in logical sequence.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to stimulate interest and participation in recreational activities.
• Ability to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural, and/or economic backgrounds.
• Capacity to maintain a calm manner in stressful and/or emergency situations.
• Ability to evaluate clients in the area of physical skills, identify deficiencies, and establish appropriate goals.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

• At least two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or paraprofessional experience in social work, social casework, vocational counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or educational counseling.

Substitutions:

• A Bachelor’s or higher degree in rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.
• A Bachelor’s or higher degree in a major other than the listed fields may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience on the basis of four years of education for one year of experience.
• Licensure as a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals or Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification may be substituted for the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with and enthusiasm for working with adults living with severe and persistent mental health conditions.
• Completion of academic requirements for and ability to be certified as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Expressive Therapist, Music Therapist, or other professional Rehabilitation Counseling degree/licensure.
• Excellent organizational and writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with demonstrated effective communication skills.
• Valid Massachusetts driver’s license and ability to drive a 15-passenger van.

Schedule

• Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Monday through Thursday: 12:30 PM – 9:00 PM
• Days off: Friday and Saturday

Pay

$66,367.60