DSHS CSTC Psychiatric Child Care Counselor 2

State of Washington • Lakewood, WA

372d

About The Position

The Child Study & Treatment Center (CSTC) has an opportunity available for a Psychiatric Child Care Counselor 2 to join their team. You will inspire a safe and comfortable therapeutic milieu and make a positive impact in the lives of children and youth with psychological and safety needs. The job will be at Ketron Cottage. In this role you will lead staff and the treatment, counseling, and supervision for children and adolescents who have emotional, psychological, and behavioral health issues in a psychiatric hospital setting. You'll gain knowledge through training and experience in Motivational Interviewing, safety training, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs. Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary. Work schedule is as follows: Swing Shift- Tues, Wed, Friday, Sat: 2:30pm - 11pm Thursday: 1:30pm -10pm (Sun/Monday off).

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree with a major study in Social Sciences, Education, Recreation, Psychology, or a related field AND one year of social service experience; OR
• Two years as a Psychiatric Child Care Counselor 1; OR
• Equivalent education/experience.
• An Agency Affiliated Counselor credential or higher counseling-related credential from the Washington State Department of Health is required within 60 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to effectively counsel and motivate patients, remain calm during altercations, and de-escalate dangerous situations.
• Ability to observe patients for long periods of time and supervise their daily living routines, ensuring treatment and security.

Responsibilities

• Direct the staff team and programming for severely emotionally, behaviorally and psychologically disturbed children and adolescents in a psychiatric hospital setting serving mental health and forensic admissions.
• Implement the cottage program and individualized behavioral plans.
• Lead staff in providing mentorship and situational counseling to adolescent and pre-adolescent children in the cottages.
• Facilitate the development of social skills, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, as well as assist children with activities of daily living.
• Complete treatment plan progress summaries and suggest treatment goals.
• Assign and monitor the work of Psychiatric Child Care Counselors, including but not limited to: ensuring documentation is complete and up to hospital standards, policies are being followed, cottage program and individual goals are followed, and providing feedback when necessary.
• Train and monitor staff performance and provide feedback to the supervisor.
• Monitor staffing levels.
• Implement age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate interventions based on the current treatment plan.
• Encourage, supervise, and participate with patients in group or individual recreational, social, and therapeutic activities.
• Escort patients to and from activities and medical appointments.
• Intervene in response to behavioral escalations.
• Communicate with parents/guardians, case workers, and probation officers to discuss patient progress.

Benefits

• Orca Card for transportation needs.
• Potential for an additional 5% premium pay for on-site work at least three days a week.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Administration of Economic Programs
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree