Senior Residential Counselor, Youth Recovery

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

32d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Residential Counselor is responsible for maintaining milieu structure and ensuring that staff follow program rules and procedures of the Youth Residential Recovery (YRR) program. This role involves direct supervision of clients aged 13-18.5, providing guidance and training for milieu staff, and approving all admissions and discharges. The Senior Residential Counselor ensures the treatment schedule is followed and client needs are met through delegation and crisis management. The position requires an awake presence for the entire shift, for both day and overnight shifts.

Requirements

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• At least one year of documented work experience in behavioral health, preferably in substance abuse treatment required.
• Applicant must already be working towards or hold an addiction certification (CAS/CAT/LAC) within six (6) months of hire.
• Hold existing QMAP Certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire (provided internally).
• Current CPR/First Aid Certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire (provided internally).
• Acceptable driving record.
• Must be at least 25 years of age to be eligible for the centers motor vehicle insurance.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (psychology, counseling, human services, or social work) preferred.
• Supervisory experience preferred as this is a leadership role.
• Applicants with pre-existing addiction certification preferred.
• An ideal candidate for this position is someone that works well in high-pressure and fast-paced environments, is detail oriented and organized, has strong communication skills, is collaborative with a solutions-oriented mindset, and is able to effectively delegate responsibilities to others to fulfill the needs of the program.
• Ability to travel 20 hours or more in a work week.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain milieu structure and ensure staff follow program rules and procedures.
• Directly supervise clients (ages 13-18.5).
• Provide guidance and training for milieu staff.
• Approve all admissions and discharges.
• Ensure the treatment schedule is followed by program staff.
• Meet a variety of client needs through delegation and crisis management.
• Monitor and oversee staff and client activities on assigned shift by providing milieu management, guidance, safety, stability, and direction to clients in early recovery from a trauma-informed lens.
• Assist Program Coordinator with training new Residential Counselors.
• Take the lead with planning, assigning, and directing day-to-day work.
• Maintain acceptable attendance and punctuality.
• Interact with client population to provide guidance, safety, stability, and direction, including de-escalating potentially dangerous situations.
• Perform accurate and timely documentation, including admissions, shift notes, Per Diem notes, discharges, inventories, screening of clients’ personal belongings, individual and group sessions, Medication Occurrences (MOR), and Adverse Incident Reports (AIR).
• Monitor Breath Alcohol (BA) tests as needed and document appropriately.
• Administer medications to clients per QMAP standards.
• Assist in conducting Random Urine Drug Testing.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducation groups.
• Assist the team in coordinating treatment referrals for clients motivated to seek on-going treatment following discharge.
• Work with Program Coordinator to coordinate coverage for unscheduled absences and PAL time.
• Complete daily shift reports and related documentation.
• Monitor staff adherence to cash and property handling procedures.
• May be assigned to review and co-sign clinical documentation (CAS or LAC staff only).
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to make decisions regarding client appropriateness for admission, discharge, or transfer to a higher or lower level of care, as well as ensuring client safety.
• Coordinate mealtimes with kitchen staff and daily community meetings with youth and staff.
• May assist in the transportation of clients.
• Effectively respond to client needs and problems, initiate and maintain positive interactions, and provide timely response to phone calls, email, and other requests.
• Adhere to all Jefferson Center Policies and Procedures, as well as Volume 7 Children’s Code.
• Ensure Adverse Incident Reporting (AIR) procedures are followed during shift.
• Attend Critical Incident Reviews (CIR) as designated by the Supervisor or CIR team.
• Identify potential problem areas or areas for development and problem-solve with the leadership team.
• Attend mandatory in-services, staff meetings, clinical supervision, and on-line training as required.
• Participate in supervision by coming prepared with an agenda.
• Report elevated risk/problem cases using a problem-solving approach and feedback.
• Monitor, coach, and direct staff on implementing strategies to reach performance measurement benchmarks.
• Provide the Program Coordinator with feedback for performance evaluations and Employee Contribution Records (ECR) or stay interviews.
• Participate in and promote a positive, supportive, cooperative team environment.
• Participate in staff development activities that enhance professional growth.
• Understand how trauma impacts the lives of the people being served, so that every interaction is consistent with the recovery process and reduces the possibility of re-traumatization.
• Participate in the Center’s training/educational programs designed to enhance knowledge about Trauma Informed Care, the impact of trauma and trauma recovery.
• Ensure that delivery practices are guided by the principles of trauma informed care and the principles of addiction treatment.
• Maintain effective interpersonal relations with clients, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors, and the general public.
• Use language and behavior to promote dignity and respect.
• Ensure corporate compliance, including documentation on practice in accordance with regulatory requirements and clinical guidelines.
• Exhibit enthusiasm, respect, adaptability, flexibility, and a spirit of cooperation in the work environment.
• Be sensitive to the diverse cultural and situational needs of the clients.
• Willing to cover another shift or another team, as requested by Program Manager.
• May be deployed to another unit/team within Jefferson Center for which they are qualified and credentialed, as determined by leadership, in the event of a staffing crisis or emergency.
• May be assigned to support different teams or departments to address client needs while remaining within the scope of their professional licensure and credentialing.

Benefits

• Hiring Bonus: $1,500 at 1 month anniversary, $1,500 at 6 month anniversary, $2,000 at 1 year anniversary ($5,000 Total).
• Provided internally: QMAP Certification training.
• Provided internally: CPR/First Aid Certification training.

What This Job Offers

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