Mental Health Counselor II - Full Time

American Addiction Centers • Chicago, IL

5d • $25 - $38 • Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time position for a Mental Health Counselor II at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center - Behavioral Health. The role involves maintaining a therapeutic environment, intervening with patients needing coping skills, responding to emergencies, and facilitating group activities. The counselor will collaborate with the treatment team, utilize therapeutic communication techniques, and assist patients with daily living activities. The position also includes participating in continuing education and orienting new staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in psychology or related field.
• Demonstrated proficiency for the requirements of Level I.
• One year psychiatric experience.
• Therapeutic communication skills for individual and groups.
• Advanced computer skills, including Excel, ppt, etc.
• CPR per hospital policy.
• CPI within 6mos, then yearly.
• Therapeutic communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to work closely and harmoniously with a number of individuals on the nursing team.
• High tolerance for emotionally or physically stressful situations.
• Ability to anticipate patient and unit needs and implement proper therapeutic measures.
• Resiliency and flexibility to deal with a changing environment.
• Demonstrated problem solving ability.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and in difficult situations.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials and life threatening diseases. Knowledge of standard precautions is a must.
• Works within and supports a shared governance model.
• Is customer-service focused.
• Ability to lift up to 100 pounds occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds frequently and/or in excess of 20 pounds constantly.
• May at times come in contact with violent patients, therefore knowledge of techniques to manage violent patients is a must. May be involved in restraining patients.
• Ability to flex hours in order to meet patient care needs.
• Ability to handle crisis situations.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and different shifts in order to accommodate staffing.
• Certain positions may need to take call.
• Ability to transport objects, patients, and equipment.
• Ability to respond quickly to patient needs and work at fast pace.
• Work environment includes probability of exposure to adverse, hazardous, or unpleasant conditions while caring for the sick.
• Ability to assist in evacuation of patients in the event of a fire or other disaster.
• Routinely works with potentially infectious specimens and patients.
• Ability to respond to patients in a timely manner and access all areas of the unit.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the development and maintenance of a therapeutic milieu and provides for a safe environment for all patients.
• Takes action to intervene with patients who require help with coping skills and self control.
• Responds to emergencies as a member of the team and employs progressive containment skills to manage violent behavior.
• Facilitates group activities, using therapeutic components to develop group cohesion, managing problem behaviors in groups, and leading psycho-educational groups.
• Collaborates with the treatment team during multidisciplinary team meetings to address patient approaches and behavior.
• Synthesizes assessment data to help develop Multidisciplinary Treatment Plan.
• Maintains adequate documentation of information pertaining to the Multidisciplinary Treatment Plan.
• Utilizes therapeutic communication techniques during patient assessment and intervention, including admission and discharges.
• Adapts communication style appropriately to individual patients.
• Uses confrontation and cognitive restructuring to problem-solve with patients as appropriate.
• Guides patients through termination of therapeutic relationship under the direction of MHC II or RN.
• Performs patient education.
• Assists in development of Suicide Safety Plan.
• Performs individual counseling to involve patients in their treatment plan through goal setting.
• Seeks supervision for complex communication issues.
• Administers or assists patients with activities of daily living.
• Manages patient belongings.
• Encourages and assists patients in formulating personal care goals.
• Supervises meals and snacks.
• Provides or supervises administration of general patient care and safety rounds.
• Actively participates in continuing education programs as required.
• Provides orientation to new mental health counselors, nursing care technicians and other disciplines as needed.

Benefits

• Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs
• Competitive compensation
• Generous retirement offerings
• Programs that invest in your career development
• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level