Youth Counselor

Position Title: Counselor

Department: Psych Floor

Reports to: Unit Manager, Registered Nurse

General Summary: Establishes a therapeutic relationship with assigned patients.

Facilitates the maintenance of the therapeutic environment

in the psychiatric unit. Provides basic patient care services;

Maintains a clean and orderly work environment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Positions Supervised: None

Nature of Supervision

Provided: None

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Education: Associate/Bachelor degree in psychology or related field or, relevant mental health experience in lieu of college degree

.

Experience: Previous experience in psychiatric setting preferred.

COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

· CPR Certification (within 3 months of hire)

· Age Specific Care: This employee is expected to deliver patient care in a manner that is appropriate to the patient's age, physical ability and intellectual development and to demonstrate proficiency in the assessment, treatment and adaptation of care to meet the need of one or more of the following populations: pediatric, adolescent, special needs children and adolescents, adult.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Establishes a therapeutic relationship with assigned patients.

2. Participates in the development of patient treatment programs.

3. Develops and updates plans of care as assigned by treatment team.

4. Provides therapeutic and activity groups for the patient.

5. Assists the patient with routine activities of daily living.

6. Maintains current knowledge in the field of psychiatric care.

7. Maintains orderly work environment.

8. Communicates appropriately with nursing staff, physicians, and outside referral

agencies.

9. Satisfactorily performs medical record and other documentation in accordance with all JCAHO, State Licensing, and Medicare standards applicable.

10. Promotes the hospital culture of patient safety in a non-punitive atmosphere;

Immediately reports medical errors and significant events to nurse in charge; participates in hospital safety training programs and Performance Improvement activities.

11. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

· Heavy physical effort (lift/carry up to 50 lbs.).

· Amergisum weight to be lifted independently: 25 lbs.

· Lifting is required (floor to knee, knee to shoulder, and above shoulder)

· Frequent/prolonged standing/walking/bending

· Frequent reaching/stooping/kneeling/crouching

· Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients

· Lifts supplies/equipment

· Vision requirement: depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, must be able to read

and see small items, eyeglasses acceptable.

· Hearing requirement: must have normal ability to understand speech in noisy areas,

understand whispered speech, and be able to localize sounds, hearing aids acceptable

· Fine motor coordination sufficient to write, patient ADL's, and assisting patient needs

TYPICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT

· Contact with potentially violent patients under a wide variety of circumstances

· Exposure to blood and body fluids requires universal precautions

· May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases

· Participates in physical management of aggressive/self-injurious patients through approved

blocking, redirecting and restraint techniques

· Participates in emergency or crisis situations

REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT

+ Personal Protective Equipment including gowns, gloves, masks, etc.

+ Arm or shin guards as necessary.

+ General Comments

Counselors are entry level, they do progress notes, treatment plans but not individual counseling, not meeting 1 on 1. Run Milu activities (run exercise groups, assist with group work). Intervening with crisis, responsible for practicing and learning coping skills, bathing and toileting. MHT's are not able to write progress notes or run Milu activities but they do assist with them.

Successful candidates have a working knowledge of diagnoses and symptoms, have inpatient psychiatric experience or level 4 residential experience

They have to do physical restraints, so they need to be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Group focused and therapeutic focused when they move up in the facility.

The patient population is Predominately children 5-18, 1 young adult ages 16-28. Most patients have significant trauma, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Personality disorders, behavioral. Can be very physical - they get CPI training during orientation to combat against this.

General Comments

(2) 7-3

(2) 3-11

$28 an hour

13 week contract minimum (opportunity to be hired on direct + state benefits OR extend through Amergis for an additional 26 weeks)

COVID vaccination required

Benefits

At Amergis, we firmly believe that our employees are the heartbeat of our organization and we are happy to offer the following benefits:

+ Competitive pay & weekly paychecks

+ Health, dental, vision, and life insurance

+ 401(k) savings plan

+ Awards and recognition programs

*Benefit eligibility is dependent on employment status.

About Amergis

Amergis, formerly known as Maxim Healthcare Staffing, has served our clients and communities by connecting people to the work that matters since 1988. We provide meaningful opportunities to our extensive network of healthcare and school-based professionals, ready to work in any hospital, government facility, or school. Through partnership and innovation, Amergis creates unmatched staffing experiences to deliver the best workforce solutions.

Amergis is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.