Description

Aurora Mental Health & Recovery (AMHR) is seeking a full-time Milieu Counselor to join our crisis stabilization unit (CSU). A strong candidate will possess social and de-escalation skills coupled with a strong interest in serving the mental health needs of the City of Aurora. Our CSU provides voluntary intensive Person-Centered Therapy services and the Milieu Counselors assist to maintain 24/7 unit coverage. The position itself requires the Milieu Counselor to be flexible in their duties, be willing to learn mental health treatment and principles, work very well with a diverse populations, and provide excellent documentation and customer services.

Salary for this role. Starting wage is based on experience and company equity. Paid bi-weekly.

• $18.50 - $26.78 per hour

Shift: This position is fully on-site working 4 - 10 hour shifts, day shift: 6:30 am - 5:00 pm, Wednesday through Saturday

Shift Differential Pay.

• Weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun): $1.00/hour

Bilingual Language Differential Pay. *rate depends on language requirements for the position and candidate's fluency.

• Will receive scheduled earnings on a bi-weekly basis for all hours worked (excluding non-productive hours paid but not worked, e.g., paid time off, holiday, administrative, etc.) in an amount equivalent to 5% of their regular base rate (hourly or salaried), to a maximum amount of $3,000.00 per calendar year. *the annual maximum amount will be prorated based on full time equivalency (FTE).

About the role.

The Milieu Counselor cares for clients who are receiving mental health support while staying in the CSU for up to 5 days. This includes oversight of activity on the unit at all times, offering group therapy support, individual support through conversation and connection, assistance with meals, assistance with safety checks, and responding with flexibility to the sometimes fast-paced changes that happen in the CSU.

Essential Functions:

• Assist in the development and implementation of treatment and disposition plans.
• Participate in crisis and behavior management/de-escalation interventions as needed, according to state regulations, training, and established best practices.
• Develop and facilitate psychoeducational groups.
• Works with clients to identify personal strengths, un-met needs, and interventions that will support the client in regaining a sense of control.
• Assist with intake procedures including: decontamination, documentation, inventory of client belongings, and orientation to the facility.
• Assist with discharge procedures.
• Conduct one-on-ones to ensure that the treatment team has a comprehensive understanding of the clients self-identified needs.
• Provide trauma-informed interventions that minimize harm and restrictive measures and empower clients to share responsibility in their recovery plan.
• Provide group and one-on-one education to clients based on the clients individual treatment plan and goals.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment that emphasizes recovery, resilience and building a sense of community.
• Assist or take a lead role in meal preparation for clients.
• Maintain a clean unit.
• Staff member will complete needed care coordination tasks for their assigned role.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in human services field or unrelated bachelors degree and one-year equivalent experience.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective problem-solving skills.
• Professional and timely communication assessing and describing client observations to applicable staff.
• Ability to assess crisis situations and intervene appropriately.
• Understanding and ability to work with differing behavioral health presentations.
• Effective organizational skills.
• Preferred: Bilingual

Required Vaccinations and TB Test.

AMHR has prioritized the health and safety of our clients and staff and requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, receive an annual influenza (flu) shot, and receive negative TB test results prior to their first day of hire. Proof of both vaccinations and negative TB test will be required upon your first day of employment. Medical and religious exemptions may be requested for the COVID 19 vaccine, annual flu shot or TB test.

Benefits:

• Health insurance: Kaiser
• Dental, vision, and flexible spending accounts (dependent care & health care)
• Company paid basic life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability coverage*
• 403(b) retirement plan which provides 100% vesting immediately, and matching contributions up to 4% after one year of employment
• Accrued Vacation pay up to 12 days and accrued Sick Pay up to 12 days per year, plus 10 Paid Company Holidays, and 2 floating holidays (hours calculated pro-rata basis based on full-time equivalency)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary term life insurance
• Short term disability*

*Eligible for benefit if working 30 hours per week or more

Our Mission, Vision and Core Values.

Mission: Deeply rooted in our diverse community, we deliver state-of-the-art care and meaningful outcomes that impact emotional well-being and addiction recovery.

Vision: To foster hope and healing through empathetic, quality care.

Core Values: Passionate caring; Rising to the challenge; Honoring and respecting all persons; Believing in resilience; Putting clients and community first; Commitment to teamwork

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Aurora Mental Health & Recovery and subsidiaries (AMHR) are dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. We do not tolerate discrimination in any form or context including harassment or exclusion.

Diversity Statement.

We are committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strive to ensure that it is interwoven into the fabric of our organization. We support and nourish an inclusive and welcoming environment for employees from diverse backgrounds.