Group Life Counselor I

Sea Mar Community Health Centers•Seattle, WA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Group Life Counselor I is an entry-level Human Service position on a multidisciplinary treatment team, providing direct services to patients in a residential setting. Services may include admissions procedures, monitoring patient behavior, facilitating educational groups, managing the milieu, and supervising patients. The program serves high-risk youth and adults, including chronic runaway youth and their families, whose primary diagnosis is chemical dependency and who may also have mental health problems. The position requires a basic understanding of how to provide these direct services and may include other duties assigned by the supervisor. The counselor supports Chemical Dependency Professionals and trainees with individualized treatment plans and referrals, monitors patients, maintains records and logs, and helps meet patients’ physical and emotional needs. The role also involves assisting with daily residential activities and maintaining professional, positive relationships with patients, staff, and collateral contacts. The position follows agency policies and applicable regulations, including Washington Administrative Code requirements, and upholds Sea Mar’s client-centered, culturally aware mission and values. The position requires either an associate degree or a high school diploma with at least one year of relevant experience. Candidates must hold a current First Aid Certificate, have a valid Washington State driver’s license, obtain BLS CPR within 90 days of hire and maintain it, pass required screenings and background checks, and complete required trainings. The hourly rate listed is $21.30.

Requirements

Associate degree, or high school diploma with at least one year of experience relevant to the position’s primary responsibilities.
Current First Aid Certificate.
Valid Washington State driver’s license and driving record within the stated limits.
Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire and maintain current certification throughout employment.
Pass a satisfactory background check; must not have a felony conviction within the last seven years, any conviction for child abuse or a crime involving physical harm to another person, or substantiated child abuse perpetration.
No history or evidence of alcohol or other drug misuse for two years before employment and no such misuse while employed.
Complete pre-hire and annual employee health screening and pass a TB test at hire and annually thereafter.
Demonstrate the physical health, emotional stability, character, and personality suited to meeting the physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of adolescent and adult populations.
Good organizational and communication skills; ability to maintain professionalism and appropriate boundaries.
Understand chemical dependency as a treatable illness and a public health problem.
Ability to read and interpret safety rules, instructions, and procedure manuals; write routine reports and correspondence; and speak effectively before groups.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic and solve practical problems, interpret varied instructions, and work with limited standardization.
Pass required BH EHR system trainings.

Responsibilities

Follow agency treatment policies and procedures and applicable federal, state, and local regulations, especially WAC 388-877 requirements; gain working knowledge of applicable WACs, WIGs, and RCWs.
Attend regular staff meetings and in-service training, and complete staff responsibilities accurately and on time.
Support the Chemical Dependency Professional or trainee with individualized treatment plans and referrals to facility and community treatment or service programs.
Monitor patients and log activities; complete daily records, incident reports, medication logs, progress reports, completion notices, and required Federal, State, County, and local forms accurately and on time.
Assist with graveyard shift activities, laundry, cleanup, dishes, housekeeping, garbage, meal service, and other daily activities.
Attend groups with more volatile clients, accompany clients to AA meetings, and monitor clients during housework and quiet time.
Provide physical care as needed to meet patients’ physical and emotional needs, consistent with agency policy and applicable licensing requirements.
Prepare and provide patient progress reports and completion notices to courts, probation departments, and referral sources when appropriate.
Develop and maintain knowledge of community and statewide referral resources and positive relationships with staff, patients, and collateral contacts.
Train and oversee patients in housekeeping, meal service, and daily activities; serve food when necessary.
Assist counseling staff with patient urinalysis procedures and required documentation.
Demonstrate clear written and verbal communication and provide care appropriate to patient age and developmental needs.
Uphold Sea Mar’s values, including respectful, compassionate, client-centered service, integrity, advocacy, teamwork, and continued learning.
Complete an annual clinical competency test and required BH EHR system trainings.