Residential Mental Health Counselor -FT

Walden Behavioral Care•Dedham, MA

3d•$19 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

Walden Behavioral Care is hiring a Mental Health Counselor at its Dedham, Massachusetts location. The counselor provides direct care to adolescent and adult residents in a 24-hour level-of-care facility, under the supervision of clinical staff and the program director. The role is full-time, with day and evening shifts from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; rotating weekends are included. Pay is $19.00–$23.00 per hour, depending on education and experience. Walden Behavioral Care is a specialty healthcare system serving people of all genders with eating disorders across the continuum of care. The organization reports 14 locations on the East Coast, more than 450 employees, and over 20,000 people helped over 15 years. It describes its approach as evidence-based and personalized. The position includes monitoring and supporting residents, participating in therapeutic and educational programming, documenting care, and collaborating with treatment teams. Counselors model programmatic meals and snacks in line with the company’s nutrition philosophy. Walden offers competitive compensation; medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement benefits; company-paid life insurance, AD&D, and short-term disability; an Employee Assistance Program; FSA and HSA; paid time off; and professional development. The company also describes its workplace as inclusive and diverse.

Requirements

High school diploma.
CPR certification.
Knowledge of psychiatric group processes, therapeutic relationship processes, age-specific growth and development, limit setting, behavior management, and crisis management involving aggressive behaviors.
Strong organizational and communication skills.
Attention to detail and ability to prioritize independently.
Ability to multitask in a changing, fast-paced mental health environment.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide a safe, therapeutic milieu by monitoring residents and redirecting them as needed.
Assist residents with admission, including bag searches, required paperwork, and orientation to the unit.
Establish therapeutic relationships with residents and provide care in accordance with Walden policies, philosophies, and objectives.
Observe residents and accurately and thoroughly document daily resident care.
Supervise meals and snacks, redirecting residents as needed.
Prepare adolescent snacks and provide supervision and guidance for adult residents’ meal preparation.
Participate in community meetings, group therapy, education, and social activities.
Help facilitate group therapy sessions, including DBT, CBT, and body image groups.
Communicate effectively with residents’ treatment teams to support quality care.
Conduct daily resident weigh-ins.
Complete call assignments as designated by clinical staff.
Administer Columbia risk assessments, monitor resident safety, and complete safety documentation.
Model therapeutic eating habits by completing provided program meals and snacks during the shift in accordance with the company’s nutrition philosophy.