Mental Health Counselor (Behavioral Health)

Overview

The CCS Mental Health Counselor (Direct Support) provides direct service in an adult Community Crisis Stabilization (CCS) Program, designed to provide a staff-secure, safe, and structured crisis stabilization and treatment environment for adults ages 18+ who have behavioral health symptoms, mental health, substance use or co-occurring disorders, that require 24-hour per day care in an unlocked treatment setting in a community-based program that serves as a medically necessary, less-restrictive, and voluntary alternative to inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. The CCS Mental Health Counselor (Direct Support) 

• Helps prepare clients returning to the community to engage in a recovery process and to 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; attend 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 monitor dining area.
• Adheres to all company and 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. Access on-call back up when needed.Completes incident documentation as needed.
• Ensures maintenance and safety of physical site.
• Certified Peer Specialist Staff provide peer-to-peer support and psycho-education about rehabilitation and recovery.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Responsibilities

Summary:

The ACCS Mental Health Counselor provides direct service in an. ult Community Crisis Stabilization (YCCS) Program, designed to provide a staff-secure, safe, and structured crisis stabilization and treatment environment for adults ages 18+ who have behavioral health symptoms, mental health, substance use or co-occurring disorders, that require 24-hour per day care in an unlocked treatment setting in a community-based program that serves as a medically necessary, less-restrictive, and voluntary alternative to inpatient psychiatric hospitalization.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:

• Helps prepare clients returning to the community to engage in a recovery process and to 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; attend 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 monitor dining area.• Adheres to all company and 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. Access on-call back up when needed.Completes incident documentation as needed.• Ensures maintenance and safety of physical site.ACCS Mental Health Counselor MA BHAS 2• Certified Peer Specialist Staff provide peer-to-peer support and psycho-education about rehabilitation and recovery.• Performs other related duties as required.

About Vinfen

Why Vinfen? We are committed to you! We offer great training, great benefits, career growth and job security!

About Us:

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. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• One to two years of job-specific experience in the human services field preferred. Preference given to bilingual/bi-cultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions.
• Strong commitment to the right and ability of people served by CCS to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the resources and support needed in their community of choice.
• Ability to work in a therapeutic milieu setting.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented, person-centered, and strengths-based values, and principles and modalities
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
• Must complete all neccessary training with defined timelines upon hire including CPR, First Aid, and CPSS 
• A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least 6 months, and access to a personal vehicle
• Must be able to successfully pass a multistate CORI, SORI, reference check, employment verification, education and credentialing background check

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong commitment to the right and ability of people served by CCS to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the resources and support needed 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, and principles and modalities• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques• Sensitivity to the 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.• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment

Typical Requirements:

One to two years of job-specific experience in the human services field preferred. Preference given to bilingual/bi-cultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions.

Preferred /Required Education:

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

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, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least one year, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check. If driving, must maintain a safe driving record, which is subject toannual checks. If using a personal vehicle, must possess and maintain adequate insurance.

Physical Effort:

Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very 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 by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.For positions in day programs or group residences, the ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.Required Certifications:

CPR is required within two weeks of hire.First Aid is required within two weeks of hire.CPSS is required.NET is required.

Pay Range

USD $23.58 - USD $23.58 /Hr.