Counselor

Schedule Part‑time 24 hours Night shift 7:00pm‑7:30am (12‑hour shifts) with variable days scheduled for the needs of the department Every other weekend and holiday rotation required Location Acute Psychiatric Therapy Unit (APTU), Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA Benefits High‑quality, low‑cost medical, dental and vision insurance Generous PTO Continuing education support and reimbursement Farm Share Memberships 403b retirement company match & annual company contribution increase based on years of service Free money coach advice from a certified professional Wellbeing programs that include but are not limited to mental, physical, and financial health Adoption assistance Pet, home, auto and personal insurance Life insurance Work‑life integration Reimbursement for a variety of wellbeing activities, including gym membership and equipment, personal trainer, massage and more Summary Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, performs a wide variety of duties involving patient management, therapeutic interaction, and physical care of patients admitted to the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. The incumbent is expected to adhere to System and department compliance policies, and any and all applicable laws and regulations. The description covers the essential functions of the position. The incumbent is expected to perform other similar and related duties as assigned. Qualifications High School Diploma (Associates or Bachelors in Psychology or related field preferred) 1 year of healthcare experience Certified Crisis Prevention Intervention/CPI CPR through American Heart Association BLS Provider (required) Job Responsibilities Participant in a Multidisciplinary Team approach to patient care. Familiar with admission and progress notes of team members to develop a better understanding of patients. Collaborates with the team in evaluating patients, planning therapy, and developing treatment goals. Reports observations of patient status to the team and provides input in the preparation and updating of treatment plans. Assists team members in providing care to patients and follows through on team decisions. Assists in orienting new counselors and welcomes and orients all new staff to the milieu. Provides a safe environment. Maintains current certification in Non‑violent Crisis Intervention (NCI). Intervenes appropriately during crisis situations by providing direct and indirect support to patients needing restraint and/or seclusion. Maintains safety by monitoring and properly documenting restrictions and restraints & seclusions. Conducts daily sharps checks on patients upon arrival to the program and when indicated by the team. Observes potential safety hazards on the unit and reports hazards immediately to supervisors. Documentation. Documents patient mental status, social behavior, and progress toward identifying goals daily. Documents the ongoing assessments of the patient by completing (Rounds) Safety Check sheets. Documents restraints and seclusions in accordance with policies. Provides a therapeutic milieu. Assesses patient mental status social and symptomatic behavior throughout the course of treatment. Counsels patients with empathy and respect to assist them in formulating treatment goals and dealing with problems. Refers patients’ physical problems to RN for assessment and intervention. Collaborates with the Team to initiate and implement a plan of care to meet the ADL needs of patients who are unable to perform these tasks. Identifies patient knowledge deficits and implements appropriate teaching in collaboration with the team. Provides 1:1 intervention when indicated. Adheres to defined boundaries and guidelines regarding self‑disclosure with patients. Facilitates patient groups and demonstrates a willingness to fill in as needed. Demonstrates adequate understanding and use of Trauma Informed Care principles. Demonstrates accountability for personal and professional growth. Demonstrates support for the philosophy of the program and adherence to policies, procedures, and standards. Attends all mandatory in‑services on an annual basis. Collaborates with supervisors to identify own professional goals and seeks experience to accomplish these goals. Assists with the identification of program in‑service needs. Demonstrates competency for one‑to‑one observation of patients based on department and unit‑specific needs. Onboarding and training of new staff (Counselor II). Provides an exceptional, high‑quality orientation for new staff. Culture contribution. Provides new ideas for groups and unit activities in collaboration with the Social Work and Occupational therapy disciplines. Quality involvement. Participates in at least two of the following: a hospital‑driven committee, a champion‑based initiative, instructor/super‑user for a project within Baystate (e.g., Hand‑Hygiene champion, Fall Committee member, or CPI instructor). Safety leadership. Leads de‑escalation of patients within the milieu. Actively works to reduce restraints of all types within the unit. May be required to onboard and precept new staff. Must complete department‑specified de‑escalation training within 30 days of hire. Skills and Competencies Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to train onboarding staff providing a strong foundation of Behavioral health knowledge. Age Specific Competencies in‑service or equivalent training. Behavior Management Training/Collaborative Problem Solving. Restraint and Seclusion in‑service or equivalent training. Compensation Note: The compensation range(s) in the table below represent the base salaries for all positions at a given grade across the health system. Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. Actual salaries may vary by position and will be determined based on the candidate’s relevant experience. No employee will be paid below the minimum of the range. Pay ranges are listed as hourly for non‑exempt employees and based on assumed full time commitment for exempt employees. Minimum – Midpoint – Maximum: $17.98 – $23.27 – $29.82 Equal Employment Opportunity Equal Employment Opportunity Employer #J-18808-Ljbffr