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. The role includes facilitating group programs for skill building in leisure planning, vocational skills, supported education, and community transition, as well as providing individual and small group treatment focused on recovery education for patients demonstrating high-volume self-injurious and aggressive behaviors. Additional responsibilities include rehabilitation advocacy, monitoring and evaluating patient progress, and completing required documentation. Participation in rehab department meetings and supervision is also expected.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Rehab Team and Multi-disciplinary Team to plan, organize, facilitate, and evaluate skill-building groups and activities that promote recovery, wellness, and community transition for patients with persistent mental illness.
• Design and facilitate group programs that include skill-building, recovery-oriented education, leisure, and vocational activities, tailored to patients' age and skill level.
• Facilitate groups on and off the units; organize special events and holiday activities.
• Coordinate with rehab and nursing staff to ensure groups are organized, attended, and consistently held; communicate schedules and notices to staff and patients.
• Integrate unit-based groups into the unit rehabilitation schedule.
• Provide recreational therapy programming for the assigned unit after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, weekend day shifts, and some holidays, including planning, program development, and administration of recreational, social, educational, and art groups.
• Plan, organize, supervise, and review special community events and activities to encourage patient growth and motivation; solicit community businesses for donations of tickets, tours, etc.
• Attend rounds, team meetings, and other relevant meetings to discuss progress, referrals, and issues.
• Evaluate each patient’s rehabilitation needs through direct observation, record review, one-on-one interviews, and discussions with caregivers; complete documentation and make recommendations for treatment and referrals.
• Evaluate and request materials and supplies as needed.
• Drive a 15-passenger van for leisure/recreational activities and community field trips.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Rehabilitation and/or supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• 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 under physical and/or emotional stress.
• Capacity to give clear oral instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships.
• Ability to exercise leadership in group situations.
• Skill in writing concisely to 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 physical skills, identify deficiencies, and establish appropriate goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with adults living with severe and persistent mental health conditions.
• Completion of academic requirements for and ability to become certified as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Expressive Therapist, Music Therapist, or hold another professional Rehabilitation Counseling degree/licensure.
• Excellent organizational and writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and 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

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.

Education 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 substitute 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 substitute 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 substitute for the required experience.