Adolescent Counselor (short hour) - Mental Health 169

Adolescent Counselor Position

Willow Rock is a 16-bed psychiatric health facility in Alameda County for adolescents 12-17 years old who are experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms.

Position Summary: The Adolescent Counselor is a treatment team member who is responsible for providing care to meet the physical and psychological needs of members served through providing direct and indirect services in a manner consistent with rehabilitation and recovery principles.

Shifts Available: Short-Hour | PM | Shifts: 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM | Days: Sunday - Monday

Expected starting wage is $23.00 - $28.00. This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and is subject to union membership requirements upon hire. Telecare applies geographic differentials to its pay ranges. The pay range assigned to this role will be based on the geographic location from which the role is performed. Starting pay is commensurate with relevant experience above the minimum requirements.

Qualifications Required: A BA or BS degree and two (2) years of experience with psychiatric patients, preferably adolescents, in a mental health setting, or an Associate's Degree and three (3) years of experience, or six (6) years of experience working directly with individuals in a mental health setting, is required. Individuals may also qualify for these positions if they have equivalent experience working in a setting providing direct care to adolescents with behavioral issues or learning issues or in an educational/group home setting. Must have belief in individual's ability to recover from disabling mental illness. Knowledge of basic psychiatric rehabilitation interventions. Good communication skills and a desire to work with persons with mental illness. Incumbents must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and be proficient in reading, speaking and writing English. Negative TB screen is required. Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be CPR, Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), and First Aid certified on date of employment or within 60 days of employment and maintain current certification throughout employment. All opportunities at Telecare are contingent upon successful completion and receipt of acceptable results of the applicable post-offer physical examination, 2-step PPD test for tuberculosis, acceptable criminal background clearances, excluded party sanctions, and degree or license verification. If the position requires driving, valid driver's license, a motor vehicle clearance, and proof of auto insurance is required at time of employment and must be maintained throughout employment. Additional regulatory, contractual, or local requirements may apply.

Preferred: Experience with psychiatric adolescent clients/patients.

Essential Functions:

• Demonstrates the Telecare mission, purpose, values and beliefs in everyday language and contact with internal and external stakeholders.
• Completes the following assessment activities: Reviews admission documentation, Assists in members served reviews and assessment of members served care plans, Demonstrates the ability to recognize changes in members served milieu and make modifications in care giving methods.
• Provides safe, effective and efficient implementation of direct care in accordance with established policies, procedures and standards of care, including CPI and psychiatric rehabilitation principles.
• Establishes, maintains, and co-facilitates a therapeutic relationship with members served. Acts as a role model in maintaining a hopeful and positive attitude in problem solving and coping with the disabilities associated with mental illness.
• Attends and participates in community meetings and groups.
• Actively participates in multidisciplinary team meetings and treatment planning meetings.
• Documents activities of daily living, response to interventions, and significant behavior changes as appropriate. Informs the Clinical Director of members served behavior and condition, particularly changes in mental and/or physical condition.
• Admits and discharges members assigned; this includes completing associated documentation.
• Contributes to the treatment of the whole person inclusive of physical care. Obtains vital signs and weights, as assigned.
• Ensures members served safety via monitoring including but not limited to rounds as well as safe and appropriate seclusion and restraint supervision.
• Demonstrates commitment to teamwork via questions and cooperation.
• Practices body substance precautions at all times.
• Provides supervision and support during meals. May be required to assist in meal set up.
• Demonstrates knowledge of CPI principles and techniques.
• Participates in and assists members served during group outings.
• Promotes and assists members served in developing self-help skills.
• Explains policies and procedures to members served and their families.
• Demonstrates a good rapport and cooperative working relationships with all members of the team; responds to co-workers with concern and promotes group morale.
• Maintains an effective and courteous working relationship with members served and other staff members through the use of appropriate interpersonal skills.
• Protects the confidentiality of employee and members served information.
• Protects members served from behavior that could damage themselves or others.
• Demonstrates knowledge of nursing policies and procedures as they relate to direct and indirect members served care.
• If employed at Inpatient program, must assist with restraint of members served in the event of assaultive behavior and pass assault crisis/crisis prevention training.
• If employed at Outpatient program, must evade members served in the event of assaultive behavior and pass assault crisis/crisis prevention training.

Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted and/or changed at the discretion of management.

Physical Demands: The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is occasionally required to stand, twist, squat, kneel and lift and carry items weighing 25 pounds or less as well as to frequently sit, walk, reach, bend and do simple and firm grasping. The position requires manual deviation, repetition and dexterity.

EOE AA M/F/V/Disability: Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.