Mental Health Counselor, Adolescent

Eastern Connecticut Health Network

  • Manchester, CT
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 month ago
We are a small community hospital where your voice is heard! We believe in sharing ideas and working with staff to create innovative ideas to improve employee engagement and patient care.What we offer:
  • Generous Vacation that is front loaded based on budgeted hours. Ex. 40 hours/ week = 26 days a year!
  • Sick Time on an accrual basis
  • 401(k)/Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance/Employee Assistance Program/Voluntary Benefit Options
  • Tuition Reimbursement- eligible after 3 months of employment!
  • Free Parking at all work sites: MMH- Employee Parking garage and parking lot, RGH- Parking lot
  • Perk Spots (Discounts at local retailers, restaurants, travel, and childcare centers)
  • Career Growth within the organization via career ladders, committee involvement, and more.
POSITION SUMMARY:This position reports to the Clinical Coordinator of Child and Adolescent and the Director of Ambulatory Services. Responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, structured and therapeutic milieu, with age-specific behavioral management practices. This position requires some familiarity with psychiatric disorders, the willingness and ability to learn Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and age-appropriate behavior management techniques. Plans, implements and facilitates a variety of skill training and theme-specific psychoeducational groups; role models skills such as communication, negotiation, problem-solving and conflict resolution. Documents and communicates pertinent information to the Treatment Team. Contributes to creating a caring and compassionate environment through ECHN’s Core Values of Teamwork, Communication, Respect and Caring.EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:
  • This position requires a High School degree or GED equivalent
  • Associates or Bachelors in psychology or other human services field is strongly preferred.
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is preferred, but not required.
EXPERIENCE:
  • Prior experience working with adolescents is required; prior experience working with adolescents in the Behavioral Health field is considered a plus.
  • Training and/or familiarity in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is desirable.
COMPETENCIES:
  • Must be competent in the use of a personal computer and have basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook.
  • A demonstrated strength in team orientation is preferable.
  • This position requires strong interpersonal and leadership skills and an ability to serve as a role model for effective coping skills.
  • Strong written as well as verbal communication skills using the English language are required.
  • Must be flexible in approach so that service-specific as well as overall system needs can be met.
  • Must be able to function effectively and, at times, independently in an environment where multi-tasking is necessary.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITES:Disclaimer: Job descriptions are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. They are intended to be accurate reflections of the principal duties and responsibilities of this position. These responsibilities and competencies listed below may change from time to time.Job-Specific Competency
  • Demonstrates the ability to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment, as evidenced by proactively monitoring, close supervision of adolescents, implementing appropriate interventions that de-escalate behaviors, as evidenced by patient, peer and supervisor feedback.
  • Demonstrates clinical perceptiveness, empathy and interpersonal warmth, as evidenced by supervisor and peer observation and feedback on satisfaction surveys.
  • Facilitates skill development as evidenced by careful planning of DBT skills groups designed to improve the patient’s level of functioning, using modalities which are developmentally and clinically appropriate.
  • Effectively uses psychological and physical management techniques to manage violent or potentially violent situations consistent with Physical Management Training (PMT) and participates in Early Response and Dr. Strong codes, as evidenced by peer and supervisor observation.
  • Completes all documentation and filing of patient records within established timeframes, as evidenced by chart reviews.
  • Demonstrates the ability to identify areas where additional assistance is needed and takes initiative in helping without being asked, as evidenced by feedback from team members and supervisor observation.
  • Demonstrates a sound understanding of growth and development issues as well as current issues specific to adolescents, as evidenced by observation of interactions with patients.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of learning disorders, as evidenced by demonstrating flexibility in teaching methods and by interactions with patients.
  • Consistently provides and/or arranges for safe and timely transportation, as evidenced by an absence of traffic violations and arrival of adolescents on time for program.
  • Demonstrates organizational skill and knowledge of specific transportation arrangements and communicates pertinent information to the appropriate person, as evidenced by supervisor observations and feedback.
  • Under the direction of the Director of Child and Adolescent Ambulatory Services, assures that snacks are ordered according to established protocol and adheres to budgetary guidelines and kitchen is maintained in accordance with infection control policies, as evidenced by supervisor observation and review.
  • Contributes to meeting the fluctuating staffing needs of the department, as evidenced by willingness to adjust scheduled hours and assignments in accordance with needs of the program.

Eastern Connecticut Health Network