Rehabilitation Counselor (A/B)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Metro Boston Mental Health Units of the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital are seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime position of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Counselor. The Rehabilitation Counselor works as a member of the Rehab Services Department as well as collaboratively with assigned unit team to design and facilitate rehabilitation groups and treatment opportunities that promote recovery and independent living skills for people living with severe and persistent mental illness. Facilitate group programs which provide opportunities for skill building in the areas of leisure planning, vocational skills, supported education, and community transition. Provide individual and small group treatment including recovery education which is designed to address the needs of patients who demonstrate high volume self-injurious and aggressive behaviors. Provide rehab advocacy for assigned patients, monitoring and evaluating the individual’s progress collaboratively with the person and treatment team and completing documentation as required. Participate in rehab department meetings and supervision to ensure that programming is appropriate and available. The DMH units within the Hospital provide inpatient psychiatric services to adults with serious mental illness with the goal of enhancing autonomy, safety and return to the community. Patients are treated by a multidisciplinary team, led by attending psychiatrists which also includes psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, mental health workers, peer specialists, occupational therapists and rehabilitative staff specializing in vocational, recreational and expressive therapies. A variety of treatment modalities are used, including psychopharmacologic, psychotherapeutic (individual, group and family), psycho-educational, behavioral, cognitive and milieu therapies.

Requirements

At least two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or paraprofessional experience in social work, social casework, vocational counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or educational counseling.
A Bachelor's or higher degree in rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.
A Bachelor's or higher degree in a major other than rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience on the basis of four years of education for one year of experience.
Licensure as a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals or Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification may be substituted for the required experience.
One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed
Understanding of the principles and techniques of recovery and rehabilitation.
Comprehension of the types and symptoms of mental and/or emotional disorders.
Knowledge of motivational and reinforcement techniques.
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of therapeutic recreation.
Understanding of safety practices and procedures followed in general recreation activities.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of counseling as applied to therapeutic recreation.
Ability to interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress.
Capacity to give clear oral instructions.
Power to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
Ability to exercise leadership in group situations.
Power to write concisely, to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence.
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Power to stimulate interest and participation in recreational activities.
Ability to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds.
Capacity to maintain a calm manner in stressful and/or emergency situations.
Ability to evaluate clients in the area of physical skills, to identify deficiencies and to establish appropriate goals.

Nice To Haves

Experience with and enthusiasm for working with adults living with severe and persistent mental health conditions.
Candidates who have completed academic requirements for and can be certified as Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist, Expressive Therapist, Music Therapist or other professional Rehabilitation Counseling degree/ licensure.
Excellent organizational and writing skills.
Ability to work collaboratively and demonstrated effective communication skills.
Valid Massachusetts driver's license and ability to drive 15 passenger van.

Responsibilities

Works collaboratively with Rehab Team and Multi-disciplinary Team to plan, organize, facilitate, and evaluate skill building groups and activities which promote goals of recovery, wellness and transition to the community for patients living with persistent mental illness.
Works as member of a Rehabilitation team providing rehab services on an identified patient unit or units; designs and facilitates, in collaboration with the rehab department, a group program that includes skill building, recovery oriented educational, leisure and vocational activities, taking into account the relevancy to patients as related to age and skill level.
Facilitates groups on and off the units; helps to organize special events and holiday activities.
Coordinates with rehab department staff and nursing staff to ensure that groups are organized, attended and consistently held.
Informs staff and patients verbally and through written schedules and notices of all activities both on and off the unit.
Ensures that unit-based groups are integrated into the unit rehabilitation schedule.
Provides recreational therapy programming for assigned unit after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, weekend day shifts and some holidays; is responsible for the coordination, planning, program development, and administration of these services, including recreational, social, educational and art groups.
Works independently to plan, organize, supervise and review special events and activities in the community to encourage growth and motivation for patients; solicits businesses in the community (museums, theaters, sports, etc.) for donations of tickets, tours, etc. to support community awareness and integration efforts.
Attends rounds, team meetings and other relevant meetings as assigned to give and hear progress, to discuss referrals and to review problems and relevant issues.
Evaluates each patient’s needs for rehabilitation interventions through direct observations, review of record, one-on-one interviews with patient and discussions with caregivers.
Completes all documentation related to patient care and department protocol in a timely manner; makes recommendations for rehab treatment and referrals.
Evaluates need for and requests materials and supplies.
Drives van for leisure/recreational activities and for community field trips.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Rehabilitation and/or supervisor.