Mental Health Counselor

Baystate Health•Greenfield, MA

35d•$18 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

Baystate Health, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare quality and safety, and home to Baystate Franklin Medical Center is looking for a Counselor to join our Mental Health Unit team in Greenfield, MA ! Baystate Franklin Medical Center is an 89-bed community hospital in Greenfield, MA. Rooted in a rich tradition of service and accountability to the people of Franklin County, North Quabbin, and surrounding communities, BFMC services include emergency, surgery, cancer, heart and vascular, obstetrics, and more. More than 200 physicians on active and courtesy staff More than 24,000 Emergency Department visits annually More than 400 babies delivered each year in The Birthplace – a progressive, midwife-driven service. Training site for the Family Medicine residency, and for residents in emergency medicine, surgery, and obstetrics programs based at Baystate Medical Center Franklin Medical Center joined Baystate Health in 1986 Rooted in a rich tradition of 125 years of service and accountability, our highly skilled team is committed to advancing care with our state-of-the art facilities and technology. Baystate Franklin houses a $26 million surgical center and the talented surgical teams of the Baystate Health network. Our spacious pre-surgery, recovery, and family waiting areas offer privacy and comfort with natural light, healing gardens, and other amenities. Our multidisciplinary approach gives you access to specialists from across the Baystate Health system, offering comprehensive and collaborative medical treatments close to home. Summary: Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, performs a wide variety of duties involving patient management, therapeutic interaction, and physical care of patients admitted to the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. The incumbent is expected to adhere to System and department compliance policies, and any and all applicable laws and regulations. This description covers the essential functions of the position. The incumbent is expected to perform other similar and related duties as assigned.

Requirements

High School Diploma
Minimum 1 year behavioral health experience (Counselor I)
Bachelor's Degree (Counselor II & III)
Minimum 2 years behavioral health experience (Counselor II)
If no Bachelor's Degree, 6 years of behavioral health experience will be considered (Counselor II)
Minimum 4 years behavioral health experience (Counselor III)
If no Bachelor's Degree, 8 years of behavioral health experience will be considered (Counselor III)
Associates Degree, High School Diploma (Required)
Basic Life Support - American Heart AssociationAmerican Heart AssociationAmerican Heart Association
Certified Crisis Prevention - Crisis Prevention InstituteCrisis Prevention InstituteCrisis Prevention Institute

Responsibilities

Participates in a Multidisciplinary Team approach to patient care. Is familiar with admission and progress notes of team members to develop a better understanding of patients. Collaborates with the team in evaluating patients, planning therapy, and developing treatment goals. Reports observations of patient status to the team and provides input in the preparation and updating of the treatment plans. Assists team members in providing care to patients and follows through on team decisions. Assists in orienting new counselors and welcomes and orients all new staff to the milieu.
Provides a safe environment. Maintains current certification in Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NCI). Intervenes appropriately during crisis situations by providing direct and indirect support to patients needing restraint and/or seclusion. Maintains safety by monitoring and properly documenting restrictions and restraints & seclusions. Maintains safety by adhering to behavior management principles and techniques. Conducts daily sharps checks on patients upon arrival to the program and when indicated by the team. Observe potential safety hazards on the unit and report hazards immediately to supervisors. Maintains safety by adhering to behavior management principles and techniques.
Documentation Documents patient mental status, social behavior, and progress towards identifying goals daily. Documents the ongoing assessments of the patient by completing (Rounds) Safety Check sheets. Documents restraints and seclusions in accordance with policies.
Provides a therapeutic milieu Assesses patient mental status social and symptomatic behavior throughout the course of treatment. Counsels patients with empathy and respect to assist them in formulating treatment goals and dealing with problems as indicated by reports from patients, patient family, and team members. Refers patients’ physical problems to RN for assessment and intervention. Collaborates with the Team to initiate and implement a plan of care to meet the ADL needs of patients who are unable to perform these tasks themselves. Identifies patient knowledge deficits and implements appropriate teaching in collaboration with the team. Assists in the development and implementation of special approaches and provide 1:1 intervention when indicated. Adheres to defined boundaries and guidelines regarding self-disclosure with patients. Facilitates patient groups and demonstrates a willingness to fill in as needed. Demonstrates adequate understanding and use of Trauma Informed Care principles.
Demonstrates accountability for personal and professional growth. Demonstrates support for the philosophy of the program and adhering to policies, procedures, and standards. Attends all mandatory in-services on an annual basis. Collaborates with supervisors to identify their own professional goals and seeks experience to accomplish these goals. Assists with the identification of program in-service needs.
Demonstrates competency for one-to-one observation of patients based on department and unit-specific needs.
(Experience) Counselor II will excel in onboarding and training new staff. Through direct on-the-job experience, he/she will provide an exceptional, high-quality orientation for new staff.
(Culture) Counselor II will provide new ideas for groups and unit activities with collaboration from the Social Work and Occupational therapy disciplines.
(Quality) Counselor II will participate in at least two of the following. A hospital-driven committee. A champion-based initiative. Instructor/super user for a project within Baystate (for example Hand-Hygiene champion, Fall Committee member, or CPI instructor)
(Safety) Counselor II will often be a leader when the de-escalation of patients within the Milieu is required. The level II Counselor will actively work to reduce restraints of all types within the unit
May be required to onboard and precept new staff
Must complete department-specified de-escalation training within 30 days of hire.

Benefits

Excellent Compensation
High-quality, low-cost medical, dental and vision insurance
Generous PTO – up to 25 days in the first year, with scheduled earned increases
Continuing education support and reimbursement
First Time Home Buyers Financial Packages
Farm Share Memberships
403b retirement company match & annual company contribution increase based on years of service.
Free money coach advice from a certified professional
Wellbeing programs that include but are not limited to mental, physical, and financial health.
Pet, home, auto and personal insurance
Life insurance
Reimbursement for a variety of wellbeing activities, included but limited to gym membership and equipment, personal trainer, massage and so much more!
Onsite parking