Relief Counselor-Sonoma

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: RELIEF COUNSELOR

ACCOUNTABILITY: To Assistant Director or Program Director

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED required. Experience in mental health related field may be substituted for the degree requirement.
• Specific experience in residential treatment and/or knowledge of social rehabilitation is preferred.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with staff, clients, and other providers both orally and in writing.
• Must demonstrate an acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability.
• At all times must be able to negotiate several flights of stairs multiple times during each work shift, and must be able to lift and carry 20 lb. packages multiple times during the work shift.
• Must demonstrate ongoing clearance with the California State Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, allowing direct contact with program clients.

RESPONSIBILITIES:


Under the supervision of the Assistant Director or Program Director, Relief Counselors replace regular staff who are on vacation, sick, or otherwise absent from work. Relief Counselors provide support and assistance to clients at one of the Progress Foundation programs, most of which are housed in multi-level facilities. Generally, the Relief Counselor has primary responsibility for responding to the treatment and rehabilitation needs of the program clients. Specifically, Relief Counselors perform the following functions:

Essential Functions

A. Orient new clients to the program and facility or, whenever possible, enable another client to orient a new client.

B. Respond to psychiatric and/or medical emergency situations throughout the facility in a professional, thorough, and timely manner, and do crisis intervention work with clients.

C. Assist clients in the evacuation of all floors of the facility in case of fire, earthquake, or other emergency.

D. Support clients' efforts to implement treatment plans which have been developed by regular staff with clients.

E. When necessary, communicate appropriately with referral sources and other treatment personnel both within and outside the agency, exchanging information relevant to client treatment.

F. Write progress notes on all clients, when appropriate.

G. Lead or co-lead day or evening group sessions, including house meetings or other activities, adhering to the schedule of fixed events, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.

H. Relay clinical and house-status information to other staff at shift changes and at other appropriate times.

I. Monitor and record client medications, complying with program procedures.

J. Participate in meal planning and preparation at designated intervals, and encourage clients to become involved in these activities. Relief Counselors are to join program clients for all meals.

K. Attend supervision sessions and case consultation meetings, as scheduled.

L. Consult with the Assistant Director or Program Director, as necessary, on such issues as case review, medications, group dynamics, etc.

M. Be responsible for the physical plant. This includes investigating problems throughout the facility and performing minor cleaning, repair work, and other household tasks, and reporting more serious maintenance problems in a timely manner to the Program Director.

N. Comply with all applicable federal, state and local governmental laws and regulations, as well as all agency policies and procedures, including the Code of Ethics.

O. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Assistant Director or Program Director.

P. Inform the Assistant Director or Program Director of any personal events and/or circumstances which may affect the ability to perform the required job responsibilities and functions or to meet minimum qualifications.

Functions which may be accommodated for Persons with Disabilities covered under the "Americans with Disabilities Act"

A. Lead and/or participate in outings and other recreational activities planned for clients.

B. Shop for groceries and other household items with program clients.