Per Diem Youth Mental Health Counselor

Vinfen•Lowell, MA

1d•$23 - $23

About The Position

Summary: The Per Diem Counselor position provides support to persons served in a Vinfen Behavioral Health setting(s) and teaches skills to enhance independence and quality of life. About Us: Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers. My Job. My Community. My Vinfen. Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
One to two years of job-specific experience in the human services field preferred.
Must be able to complete CPR and First Aid required within defined timelines. Vinfen provides CPR and First Aid training upon hire.
A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least 6 months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check
Knowledge and use of different communication styles
Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
Knowledge of required physical personal management skills.
Knowledge of required household management skills
Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity.
Ability to document interventions, as required.
Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Ability to balance competing priorities.
Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
May be called on to drive for Vinfen using a Vinfen van. A valid driver’s license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver’s license for at least one year, and must be able to pass a driver’s screening background check, which is subject to annual checks. If driving, must maintain a safe driving record. If using a personal vehicle, must possess and maintain adequate insurance.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living. Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
CPR Required within two weeks of hire.
First Aid Required within two weeks of hire.
Safety Care required within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Preference given to bi-lingual/bi-cultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions.
One to two years of job-specific experience in the human services field preferred.
Bi-lingual/bi-cultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Assists with intake and orientation procedures with youth and their families or identified supports.
Responsible for a variety of daily tasks with persons served. This includes (re)habilitative interventions, behavioral interventions, and monitoring, scheduling appointments, monitoring progress, providing transportation, and other related tasks.
Acts as a role model and provides support to persons served. Assists in helping youth prepare to safely return to their identified community.
Assesses persons served physical and emotional status, and report changes to supervisor.
Ensures program site safety and maintenance, as necessary, at all times.
Oversees and participates in the daily living and cleaning of the program, with persons served. This includes, but is not limited to, cooking, meal planning, grocery shopping, and general housekeeping,
Complies with all corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
Completes various paperwork and logs including communication logs, community membership logs, chore schedules, timesheets, and application forms.
Performs crisis intervention, as needed. Accesses on-call resources, if needed.
Provides Program Director or Human Resources staff with current contact information, including working telephone number(s), email address, and mailing address.
Performs other related duties, as required.