Description

This position works part-time with benefits 20 hours per week with a every other weekend commitment and a holiday rotation. 

The Behavioral Health Associate reflects the mission, vision, and values of NMHC, adheres to the organizations Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Behavioral Health Counselor delivers direct care to the psychiatric patient. This role effectively interacts with the patients and their support network, and with the treatment mileau to facilitate positive patient outcomes. The Behavioral Health Counselor will perform these tasks in a fashion where they assures, embraces, and communicates the pledge, values and policies of Northwestern Medicine.

Responsibilities:

• Facilitates treatment groups (including check-in, educational, expressive therapy, relaxation), along with milieu management.
• Provides individual intervention to patients in partnership with the assigned clinical therapist. This includes supportive patient management along with identifying and responding to patient crises.
• Monitors and documents patients progress toward treatment plan goals.
• Plans for patient discharge, by securing outpatient treatment resources and appointments.
• Facilitates new patient orientations.
• Completes evaluations/assessments as part of intake when assigned, and using patient placement criteria documents justification for recommended level of care.
• Demonstrates ability to cross train to other areas of BHS and seeks professional development opportunities to expand knowledge base. Accepts assignments of work to other units within BHS.
• Plans and implements care in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team. Able to begin and add to the Master Treatment Plan. Documents inpatient medical record via Microsoft Word or other automated medical records software in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Communicates effectively and works cooperatively with other team members. Has respect for and understanding of other clinical disciplines and their duties.
• Understands and communicates clearly and in a motivational fashion the information pertaining to self-help groups, which therefore assists patients in utilizing such groups as an ongoing support system.
• Demonstrates baseline knowledge and understanding of 'street drugs' and other drugs of abuse. Able to identify withdrawal symptoms of narcotics and alcohol.
• Conducts telephone screenings (inquiry calls) in a fashion resulting in appropriate disposition based on the phone contact.
• Understands patient placement criteria and can identify proper level of care to convey to Managed Care along with the initial pre-cert.
• Communicates to Manager any incidents regarding patients and staff that may compromise unit safety.
• Understands admission process to the hospital from the partial hospital program. Assists in facilitating such admissions as needed.
• Contributes to the intake process by handling inquiry calls as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related field.

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.