Group Life Counselor I

Sea Mar Community Health Centers • Seattle, WA

155d • $21

About The Position

The Group Life Counselor I is an entry level Human Service position that is part of the multi-disciplinary treatment team providing direct services to patients in a residential setting. Direct services may include a combination or all of the following: admission procedures, monitor patient’s behavior, educational group facilitation, milieu management, and supervision of patients. Services are provided to out-of- control, high-risk, chronic runaway youth and their families. These youth/adults have a primary diagnosis of chemical dependency and may also have mental health problems. An entry level person is expected to have a basic understanding of how to provide the direct services listed above. This job description does not suggest or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. This person will be required to follow other instructions and to perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

• The person in this position must be of good character and able to maintain the understanding, physical health, emotional stability and personality suited to meet the physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of the adolescent and adult populations served.
• Must have good organizational and communication skills.
• This person must understand that chemical dependency is a treatable illness and a public health problem.
• Must complete an annual clinical competency test.
• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate boundaries in all interactions.
• The person in this position shall have no history or evidence of alcohol or other drug misuse for a period of two (2) years prior to the date of employment at the facility, and no misuse of alcohol or other drugs while employed at this facility.
• This individual cannot be a person who has been convicted of a felony within the last seven years or ever been convicted of child abuse and / or any crime involving physical harm to another person nor be a perpetrator of substantiated child abuse.
• With regards to his/her driving record, this person may not have violations/accidents in excess of the limits in the table below at time of hire, or anytime thereafter. No more than: Type Drivers between ages 25 - 65 Drivers under 25/over 65 Type A Violations (e.g. DUI, Reckless Driving, Suspended License, Negligent Driving) None in the past 3 years None in the past 5 years “At-Fault” Accidents 1 Accident in the past 3 years None in the past 3 years Moving Violations 1 Violation in 12 months, or 2 Violations in 3 years 1 in 3 years Combination of Accidents/Violations 1 Accident/Violation in 12 months 2 Accident(s)/Violation(s) in 3 years 1 in 3 years
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Must either hold an Associate’s degree, OR have a high school diploma with at least one year of experience that is relevant to the primary responsibilities of this position.
• Must possess a current First Aid Certificate
• Pre-hire and annual employee health screening is required. Must pass a TB test at time of hire, and annually thereafter. Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all times during the flu season.
• Must have a valid Washington State driver's license
• Must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and must maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment.
• Must receive a satisfactory background check.

Responsibilities

• Maintains professional standards and follows the treatment policies and procedures of the agency, as well as applicable federal, state and local regulations, especially WAC 388-877 requirements.
• Gains a thorough working knowledge of appropriate WAC's, WIG's, and RCW's.
• Attends regular staff meetings and in-service training for staff.
• Completes all staff responsibilities as required, with emphasis on timeliness and accuracy.
• Supports the Chemical Dependency Professional/Trainee with the patient's individualized treatment plan as designed and implemented by the treatment team.
• Supports the Chemical Dependency Professional/Trainee in providing and referring clients to other treatment /service programs in the facility and in the community as needed.
• Monitors the clients, log all activities in the log book, do laundry for youth clients, clean up, and be responsible for graveyard shift activities. Group Life Counselors will also assist counselors: They will attend groups with clients who are more volatile to provide extra support, attend AA meetings with clients, and monitor clients while the clients are completing housework and during quiet time. They will serve food if necessary.
• Demonstrates clear and concise written and verbal communication.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Able to identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescent, or geriatric patients.
• Completes daily record keeping as directed by the Program Manager, following the structure of the problem - oriented patient records system.
• Completes daily logging, Extraordinary Incident Reports (EIR's), medication logging, etc. on time and accurately.
• Prepares current patient progress reports and completion notices and provides them to the courts, probation departments and referral sources when appropriate.
• Completes on time all of the required Federal, State, County and Local forms for each patient.
• Provides all physical care of patients required to meet their physical and emotional needs, consistent with agency policy and applicable licensing WAC's.
• Gains an accurate knowledge of available community and statewide referral resources.
• Maintains consistent and positive relationships with all collateral contacts.
• Provides training and oversight to patients in the area of housekeeping, meal service and various daily activities.
• Performs related work as assigned, including assisting staff and patients with laundry, dishes, housekeeping, and garbage.
• Maintains consistent and positive relationships with all staff, patients, and collateral contacts.
• Assists counseling staff in conducting patient urinalysis procedures and the required documentation as required.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 27 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.
• We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees