Residential Counselor Crisis Stabilization Unit

Come join a friendly and diverse clinical team that provides quality care! Community Healthlink (CHL) is looking for a part-time (15 hrs/wk) Residential Counselor in Northern Worcester County.

The North County Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) serves clients who are admitted due to struggle with a mental health crisis often additionally struggling with substance abuse. Our clients enter the program with an evaluation and client history completed by a qualified clinician prior to admission. The CSU may be used as a diversion to prevent a hospitalization or as a step-down immediately following a psychiatric hospital discharge to assist the client in transitioning back into the community. The unit receives admissions 24 hours/day, 365 days/year depending on bed availability (13 beds) for clients who do not need hospital level of care and meet the unit’s admission criteria. Although a voluntary program, individuals must remain on the unit for the duration of their stay for safety and treatment purposes. Clients meet with a multidisciplinary team to aid with following their individualized treatment plan and meet their treatment goals as well as a psychiatric workup and medication evaluation.

Residential Counselors conduct intakes and discharges for the program and will work with clients on topics including personal hygiene and self-care skills, money management and budgeting, symptom management, relapse prevention, healthy eating, use of public transportation and transporting, problem solving and conflict resolution, and other interventions as necessary, running therapeutic groups to further enhance life skills in these areas. The Residential Counselor will monitor and distribute medication, maintain unit facility as required, and complete routine paperwork to ensure the program meets the standards

• Maintain and comply with regulations for DMH, HUD, BSAS and DPH MAP Certification.
• Ability to observe, document, teach and respond to mental and physical health as well as other needs of consumers such as community living skills.
• Performs duties using recovery oriented principles.
• Must be able pass required trainings including Medication Administration Program (MAP), CPR and First Aid
• Ability to write behaviorally stated treatment plans.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Continuity of Care Attend teams and case conferences, and collaborate with other providers for designated residents. Provide outreach as designated to community-based residents.
• Community Living Work with residents to assist with activities of daily living and foster a sense of safety in the community which includes personal hygiene and self-care skills, money management and budgeting, symptom management, relapse prevention, use of public transportation and transporting, problem solving and conflict resolution, and other interventions as necessary.
• Primary Counselor Serve as residential counselor for a specified number of residents as requested by the supervisor.
• Routine Paperwork Prepare daily log entries, incident reports and other required paperwork to ensure the program meets the standards.
• Nutrition Ensure healthful menu planning, food shopping, and meal preparation through coordination and assistance.
• Medications Monitor residents’ medication, refills, documentation of medications and changes, assist with attending appointments, and safe storage.
• Facility Upkeep Work with residents to maintain the residence on a daily basis including chores, bedroom upkeep, yard and other light housekeeping duties.
• Other Duties Other related job duties as assigned in order to provide quality rehabilitation services. May include transporting residents in personal car or program vehicle, physical assistance, close supervision, and other such duties.
• Treatment Planning Develop, implement and document treatment needs assessments, treatment plan, and progress reviews as part of continuous quality improvement activities.
• Groups Lead two or more skill development or recreational group (s) per week as assigned.
• Current valid US-issued driver's license and ability to provide registered, inspected and insured automobile for work related purposes including transporting clients in your own vehicle
• All Bilingual applicants are strongly urged to apply.
• Maintain Competencies Human Rights, dual diagnosis, infection control, CPR, First Aid, MAP, agency and divisional policy and procedures as well as other required competencies.
• All candidates will be subject to a CORI review as outlined in the regulations set by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. For more information, click here
• Will consider a Bachelor's degree in a non-related field with human services experience.
• Grade 6 Residential Counselor II Bachelor's degree in social work or related mental health field or occupational therapist with Associates degree.

Community Healthlink is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual preference, political affiliation or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items.

If applicable, Community Healthlink shall also abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals on the basis of disability. These regulations require affirmative action by Community Healthlink to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.