Milieu Counselor - CSU (Swing Shift/FE) (61206)

Aurora Mental Health & Recovery (AMHR) is seeking a full-time Milieu Counselor to join our Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU). The ideal candidate will have strong social and de-escalation skills and a passion for serving the mental health needs of Aurora’s community. The Milieu Counselor provides care to clients staying in the CSU for up to five days, ensuring safety and engagement through continuous oversight, group therapy support, individual conversations, assistance with meals, safety checks, and adaptability to the dynamic nature of the unit. This role requires maintaining 24/7 coverage and supporting voluntary, intensive Person-Centered Therapy services. Candidates should be flexible, eager to learn mental health treatment principles, adept at working with diverse populations, and capable of delivering excellent documentation and customer service.

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

• $21.03 - $31.56 per hour

Schedule. This position is fully Onsite/In-person. Available schedules are:

• Sunday - Wednesday Swing Shift, 12:30 pm - 11 pm

Shift Differential Pay. The Day weekend shift differential is paid from 7 am to 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays only; the Swing shift differential is paid from 3 pm to 11 pm; and the Overnight shift differential is paid from 11 pm - 7 am

• Day Weekend (Sat, Sun): $1.50/hour 
• Swing Weekday (Mon-Thurs): $1.50/hour 
• Swing Weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun): $2.75/hour 
• Overnight Weekday (Monday - Thursday): $2.75/hour 
• Overnight Weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday): $4.00/hour 

Bilingual Language Differential Pay. Employees who successfully pass a language assessment are eligible to receive bilingual differential pay. This differential is provided as a fixed amount of $3,000 per calendar year, paid on a bi‑weekly basis across 26 pay periods, and prorated based on hire date and full‑time equivalency (FTE). Eligibility and payment are subject to the language requirements of the position and the employee’s demonstrated proficiency in the language. 

Essential Functions:

• Assist in the development and implementation of treatment and disposition plans.
• Provide crisis and behavior management/de-escalation interventions as needed, according to state regulations, training, and established best practices.
• Develop and facilitate daily psychoeducational groups.
• Collaborate with clients to identify personal strengths, un-met needs, and interventions that will support clients 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 individual check-ins with clients and provide advocacy to ensure that the treatment team has a comprehensive understanding of each client’s self-identified needs.
• Provide trauma-informed interventions that minimize harm and restrictive measures while empowering clients to share responsibility in their recovery plan.
• Provide group and individual education to clients based on each client’s individual treatment plan and
• goals.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment that emphasizes recovery, resilience and building a sense of community.
• Facilitate regular meal services for clients.
• Maintain a clean and orderly unit.
• Complete needed care coordination tasks for their assigned role.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, nursing, human services, or a related field; or 
• An unrelated bachelor's degree plus one (1) year of equivalent experience; or 
• Current Qualified Behavioral Health Associate (QBHA) certification in place of a bachelor's degree, with at least one (1) year of equivalent experience. 
• Must possess a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or obtain one within 30 days of hire. 
• 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 Vaccination and TB Test.

At AMHR, the health and safety of our clients and staff are our top priorities. As part of this commitment, all employees are required to receive an annual influenza (flu) shot and present a negative TB test result before their first day of work. Proof of both the flu shot and a negative TB test must be provided on your first day of employment. A medical or religious exemption can be requested if necessary.

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, and 2 floating holidays (hours calculated pro-rata basis based on full-time equivalency)
• The company observes 11 designated holidays each year. Exception: Employees working in 24/7 programs or facilities are scheduled to work their regular shifts if the holiday falls on their scheduled workday. In these cases, employees will receive their regular pay for hours worked plus holiday pay.
• 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 compassionate, 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.

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Salary : $21 - $32