Milieu Counselor, Youth Recovery

Find Your Career at Jefferson Center for Mental Health • Lakewood, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Jefferson Center’s Youth Residential Recovery program provides 30 days of structured, compassionate care for adolescents facing substance use challenges. The Milieu Counselor provides guidance, safety, stability, and direction to clients in early recovery, using trauma-informed practices and the principles of addiction treatment. This is an in-person, on-site position in Lakewood, Colorado, with several evening shifts and multiple schedule options available.

The counselor supports client activities and daily residential routines, maintains accurate documentation, monitors client health and behavior, administers medications within QMAP standards, and helps coordinate referrals and discharge-related services. The role requires collaboration with clients, colleagues, and other staff, adherence to regulatory and organizational requirements, and participation in supervision, training, and team meetings. Employees may be asked to cover another shift or team.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least one year of work experience in behavioral health.
• Applicants hired without SUD certification must obtain CAT or CAS certification within 18 months of hire.
• QMAP certification, or ability to obtain it within six months of hire; certification is provided internally.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification, or ability to obtain it within six months of hire.
• Ability to work in person on site in Lakewood, Colorado.
• Ability to meet the role’s responsibilities, including client safety, documentation, participation in required training and supervision, and adherence to applicable policies and standards.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in substance abuse treatment.
• Experience working with youth.
• Pre-existing addiction certification.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide milieu management, guidance, safety, stability, and direction to clients in early recovery using a trauma-informed approach.
• Interact with clients and de-escalate potentially dangerous situations.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including admissions, shift and per diem notes, discharges, inventories, screening of personal belongings, individual and group sessions, medication occurrences, and adverse incident reports.
• Monitor and document clients’ vital signs, physical condition, and behavior as needed; conduct blood pressure assessments when a nurse is unavailable.
• Help plan, conduct, and supervise community meetings, groups, external on-site meetings, family and friend visits, recreational activities, and life-skills activities.
• Monitor and document breath alcohol tests as needed.
• Administer medications to clients in accordance with QMAP standards.
• Assist with random urine drug testing.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducation groups.
• Assist the team in coordinating treatment referrals for clients seeking ongoing treatment after discharge.
• Assign and monitor residential unit chores, including cleaning common areas, hallways, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
• Coordinate with kitchen staff regarding meals and snacks.
• Follow OSHA safety standards and dispose of biohazard waste according to OSHA standards.
• As directed, assist in transporting admitted clients to hospitals, aftercare, or other approved services.
• Respond effectively and promptly to client needs, phone calls, emails, and other requests.
• Follow Jefferson Center policies and procedures, including adverse incident reporting procedures during the shift and applicable corporate compliance, documentation, regulatory, and clinical guidelines.
• Attend required in-services, staff meetings, clinical supervision, and online training; come prepared with an agenda for supervision.
• Report high-risk or problem cases using a problem-solving approach and provide feedback.
• Participate in and promote a positive, supportive, cooperative team environment.
• Apply trauma-informed care and addiction-treatment principles to reduce the possibility of retraumatization; participate in related training and educational programs.
• Maintain effective interpersonal relations and use language and behavior that promote dignity and respect for clients, colleagues, management, visitors, and the public.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to patients’ diverse cultural and situational needs, and exhibit enthusiasm, respect, adaptability, flexibility, and cooperation.
• Cover another shift or team when requested by the Program Manager or Program Coordinator.

Benefits

• Sign-on bonus opportunity totaling up to $5,000, paid as $1,500 at the one-month anniversary, $1,500 at the six-month anniversary, and $2,000 at the one-year anniversary, subject to eligibility and continuous employment through each effective date.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED