Overview

Come join a friendly and inclusive team that provides quality care! Community Healthlink (CHL) recognizes the power of a diverse community and seeks applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. Community Healthlink (CHL) is looking for a full-time (37.5 hrs/wk) Residential Counselor at our Worcester site.

The Worcester Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) serves clients who are admitted due to struggle with a mental health crisis often additionally struggling with substance abuse. Our clients enter the program with an evaluation and client history completed by a qualified clinician prior to admission. The CSU may be used as a diversion to prevent a hospitalization or as a step-down immediately following a psychiatric hospital discharge to assist the client in transitioning back into the community. The unit receives admissions 24 hours/day, 365 days/year depending on bed availability (10 beds) for clients who do not need hospital level of care and meet the unit’s admission criteria. Although a voluntary program, individuals must remain on the unit for the duration of their stay for safety and treatment purposes. Clients meet with a multi-disciplinary team to aid with following their individualized treatment plan and meet their treatment goals as well as a psychiatric workup and medication evaluation.

The Residential Counselors will be expected to supervise and support clients in crisis, using evidence-based therapeutic techniques and a community-based approach to treatment

Benefits:

Compensation based on education and related work experience, licensure and other qualifications

Health and Dental insurance (available upon starting)

Generous paid sick, personal, holiday, and vacation time

CEU benefits

Life and Disability insurance

401k with agency contribution

Flexible Spending Accounts available

Wellness activity discounts

Work related travel reimbursement

Responsibilities

• Performs duties using recovery orientated principles.
• Maintain and comply with regulations for DMH, HUD, BSAS and DPH MAP Certification.
• Effective communication with consumers, peers, other professionals.
• Ability to write behaviorally stated treatment plans.
• Ability to observe, document, teach and respond to mental and physical health as well as other needs of consumers such as community living skills.
• Demonstrates person centered strength based communication and relationship with consumers.
• Demonstrate effective communication with staff, peers and other professional

• Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.

• Serve as residential counselor for specified number of residents as requested by supervisor.
• Develop, implement and document treatment needs assessments, treatment plan, and progress reviews as part of continuous quality improvement activities.
• Work with residents to assist with activities of daily living and foster a sense of safety in the community which includes personal hygiene and self-care skills, money management and budgeting, symptom management, relapse prevention, use of public transportation and transporting, problem solving and conflict resolution, and other interventions as necessary.
• Ensure healthful menu planning, food shopping, and meal preparation through coordination and assistance.
• Monitor residents’ medication, refills, documentation of medications and changes, assist with attending appointments, and safe storage.
• Lead two or more skill development or recreational group (s) per week as assigned.
• Attend teams and case conferences, and collaborate with other providers for designated residents.
• Provide outreach as designated to community-based residents.
• Prepare daily log entries, incident reports and other required paperwork to ensure the program meets the standards.
• Work with residents to maintain the residence on a daily basis including chores, bedroom upkeep, yard and other light housekeeping duties.
• Human Rights, dual diagnosis, infection control, CPR, First Aid, MAP, agency and divisional policy and procedures as well as other required
• Perform other related job duties 
• May include transporting residents in personal car or program vehicle, physical assistance, close supervision, and other such duties.

Qualifications

• Grade C02: Residential Counselor I: HSD/GED/HiSet required; Associates degree preferred
• Grade C04: Residential Counselor II: Bachelor's degree required; degree and/or coursework in social work, counseling, psychology or related field preferred. 
• Minimum of two years experience required
• Current valid US-issued driver's license and ability to provide registered, inspected and insured automobile for work related purposes including transporting clients in your own vehicle
• Must be able to pass required trainings including Medication Administration Program (MAP), CPR and First Aid within first 5 months of employment
• Must be able to pass a CORI background check 

Community Healthlink is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual preference, political affiliation or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items.If applicable, Community Healthlink shall also abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals on the basis of disability. These regulations require affirmative action by Community Healthlink to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.