COUNSELOR AIDE

Core Competencies

Core Competencies are foundational commitments and skills that all SIHB staff are expected to develop.  These competencies define common measures for performance that are applied to every role in the organization.

• Commitment to Indigenous and Organizational Values:  Everything we do at SIHB is centered on Traditional Indian Medicine.  It is our responsibility to maintain cultural integrity in all that we do.
• Accountability:  All employees of SIHB effectively manage their own work and the work of their teams.  We take ownership of our actions and decisions.  We all strive to deliver the highest quality work and care, while respecting our teammates and relatives.
• Collaboration:  SIHB is a team-oriented organization. As team members, we share the responsibility of working toward a common purpose. We collaborate with our colleagues across the organization to deliver the highest quality of care and results in alignment with our mission, vision, values and Theory of Change.
• Communication:  We practice effective and clear communication with staff, relatives, teams and community.  We demonstrate empathy among each other and with those we serve, and transparency in our decision making.
• Customer Service Orientation:  All employees of SIHB recognize the needs of the diverse community we serve. We put the needs of our relatives first by delivering the highest quality, professional, responsive, and innovative care. Our relatives come first and deserve the best.

Position Summary: Performs a variety of relative (patient) related tasks that include reporting, documenting, monitoring, and intervening.  Coordinates and conducts relative (patient)  activities, including walks, classes, and crafts. Monitors safety and appropriateness.  Assists with medical management and relative (patient)  medications as per center policies.  Assist relatives (patients) s to maintain the treatment schedule.  Interact with treatment team and peers to ensure information sharing and consistent practice. Conducts quality assurance and data collection.  Answers phones and directs phone calls appropriately.  Documents relative (patient)  and milieu activities.

Organizational Structure/Reporting Relationships:  Counselor Aides are a part of the Residential Behavioral Health team and have no direct reports.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Hold Indigenous values and practices with respect and integrity
• Hold yourself accountable to the highest standard by being resourceful, innovative, creative and solutions-oriented
• Actively participate in organizational activities with the understanding that success is achieved through teamwork.
• Recognize that communication is central to the organization’s success and actively champion your words and actions to maintain respect for others, encourage constructive feedback, be open to share laughter and acknowledge differences in skills and opinions, all while keeping others’ best intentions in mind.
• At SIHB, we refer to our customers as Relatives. Our Relatives come first and deserve the best.  Serve the needs of our Relatives first by delivering the highest quality, professional, responsive and innovative care. 

Job Responsibilities

• Assists in conducting quality assurance activities using appropriate forms, collecting data. 
• Log each shift observations of relative (patient) s in the milieu and unusual occurrences as described by the center policy. 
• Documents relative (patient)  discharge list, assuring that each requirement on the list is met and all appropriate documents, medications, etc. are given to the relative (patient)  under the guidance of senior staff.  Place the relative discharge list in the relative file. 
• Assists in the monitoring of relative (patient)  milieu (including relative (patient)  guests and family) to include behavior, participation, health, and safety.  Interacts and intervenes with relative (patient) s constructively and consistently with the treatment philosophy of the center and the relative (patient) ’s treatment plan. 
• Assists staff with relative (patient)  problems and assists in relative (patient)  emergencies.  Alerts staff when safety, health or relative (patient)  behavior problems develop.  Alerts administrative staff on call (clinical supervisor or director) when problems or concerns develop, and a counselor or nurse are not on site or available. 
• Answers phone calls and takes messages, provides information about the center as appropriate.  Conducts tours for guests and new relative (patient) s. 
• Assists intake coordinator with admission by providing to the relative (patient)  a laundry bag, pen and pencil, paper and conducting a search of relative (patient)  belongings separating contraband and medications from other belongings. 
• Coordinates relative (patient) ’s activities including meals, recreation activities, visitation, and specific treatment classes. 
• Maintains confidentiality regarding relative (patient)  information. 
• Observes relative (patient)  self-medication and documents accurately time, dosage as per nurse and physician instructions.   
• Monitors relative (patient)  location, at all times.  
• Monitors milieu for safety and health potential and actual problems.  Intervenes in relative (patient)  behavior that is unsafe, contradicts center policy or is disruptive to the milieu.   
• Monitors sleeping areas and building security. 
• Assists in the cleaning, organizing and maintaining order in relative (patient)  common areas, resident aide office/storage area, supply closet and storage areas.   
• Assist in transporting relative (patient) s to appointments and meetings if approved driver. 
• Actively participate in internal quality-improvement teams and work with members proactively to drive quality-improvement initiatives in accordance with the mission and strategic goals of the organization, federal/state/local laws and regulations, and accreditation standards. 
• Work well under pressure, meet multiple and often competing deadlines. 
• At all times, demonstrate cooperative behavior with supervisors, subordinates, colleagues, relative (patient) s and the community. 
• Performs other duties as assigned