Group Counselor - Full Time - Behavioral Health

Group Counselor

The Group Counselor provides therapeutic and recreational group activities and leisure assessment and group counseling services to assigned caseloads of patients.

*Hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm; adult behavioral health experience preferred.

Responsibilities

A day in the life of a Group Counselor at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Provides therapeutic activities/leisure assessment and counseling services to assigned patient groups. Groups are of a psycho educational nature and include: social and recreational skills, grief counseling, substance abuse counseling, creative expressions, stress management, coping skills and physical activities.
• Completes the Group Counselor Assessment of the patient within 48 hours of admission.
• Provides a minimum of four therapeutic groups per day, an evening group one day per week, and weekend groups on assigned units.
• Participates in the Wellness Choices program to provide groups on other units.
• Understands and adheres to the organization's health and safety requirements.
• Understands and adheres to all Hospital, Federal, State, and Joint Commission requirements.
• Assesses the patient's learning needs, readiness and barriers to learning of patients and documents appropriately. Provides age appropriate learning opportunities (individual and group) and documents teaching and outcomes appropriately. Provides educational materials that are specifically appropriate for the patient/family, considering age, educational level, culture and disability.
• Takes the lead in unit preparations for holiday celebrations.
• Provides information to the treatment team regarding the patient's participation/progress in conducted groups.
• Develops a plan of care for the patient that reflects the assessed needs, strengths, preferences and goals, and stages in the recovery process. Attends multidisciplinary treatment plan conferences for assigned patients and works collaboratively with members of the treatment team to assess.
• Completes documentation of patient's progress toward achieving goals in a weekly progress note, weekly treatment plan review or revision and transfer or discharge summary in the context of specific treatment objectives.
• Participates in departmental meetings, unit meetings, in-services, and other meetings as requested.
• Maintains current knowledge in their field of specialization by attending continuing educational programs/offerings.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related field.
• Minimum 1 year relevant work experience in a healthcare setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills that may include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

• Masters Degree.

If you feel the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!

Compensation Minimum rate of $48,110.40 Annually HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package. The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to:

• Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness.
• Experience: Years of relevant work experience.
• Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training.
• Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies.
• Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location.
• Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization.
• Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered.

Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts. In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH (HMH) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, genetic information, refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available to an employer the results of a genetic test, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, national origin, nationality, ancestry, disability, marital status, liability for military service, or status as a protected veteran.