Mental Health Counselor II

Description

Title: Mental Health Counselor 2(Activity Program Staff)

Program/Dept: MHRC

Reports to: Clinical Program Director

Classification: Full-Time Benefitted, Nonexempt

Thursday -Monday 3-11:30 pm

Salary $26 an hour + 5% differential if applicable to shift

About Us: Caminaris a leading behavioral health organization that supported over 48,000 youth and adults across six counties in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area last year. ​​Caminar's missionis to build strength and stability through comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment and wrap-around services delivered through evidence-based, whole-person care. The organization was founded in 1964, and our vision is to be a BEACONof SAFETY, COMPASSION, and FULFILLMENT, supporting all those in our communities who need it most. ​

Position Description: Undersupervision oftheProgram Director, the Mental Health Counselor 2 providessupportand assistancetoclients by encouraging them to participate in activities planned to meet their individual assessed needs, stimulate and support physical and mental capabilities to the fullest extent, and enable clients to maintain the highest attainable social, physical and mental functioning.

EssentialDuties& Responsibilities:

• Develop andmaintain a respectful, caring,tolerant,ethical, andempowering relationship with allindividuals served.
• Establish andmaintain clear andeffective communications with clients, ensure that their needs aremet, assist theminthe implementationof theirtreatment plans, andpreparethemforthe next levelof care orother discharge options.
• Participate in client intake and discharge processes.
• Obtain initial client inventory list and maintain client inventory list through clients’ duration in the program.
• Document clients' progressin programcharts daily.
• Assistprogram management in ensuring compliancewith all agency policiesandprocedures,contractual agreements, licensing and certificationrequirements,and local,state,andfederal lawsand regulations.
• Provide accurate, timely, and completetransferof programandclientinformation tootherstaff asthey begin their shift.
• Providecrisis interventionand including physically restrain clients, as necessary.
• Provide one-to-one services as necessary.
• Remainalert, perform job functions, and complete task lists.
• Orient newclients to the program, or, when possible,enable other clientsto orient newclients.

In conjunction withallother programstaffmembers,actively participatein theeffortto ensurethatthe facility environment ishomelike,clean,safe,attractive, andcomfortable at all times.

• Notify programmanagementof all needs for repair ormaintenanceofthe facilityorprogramvehicles,involving clientswhenappropriate.

• Assistprogram management to create andmaintainasafe andprofessionalworking environmentfree of hostility, harassment,and discrimination.
• Ensure safety of the facility perimeter and client safety at all times, reporting any unusual occurrence involving a client to licensed nursing staff or management immediately.
• Facilitateand lead structured programgroups, indoor and outdoor activities, creative and educational activities, client government and exercise activities on a daily basis.
• Participate in staffmeetings andattendothermeetings, as assigned.
• Attendandparticipate in regularly scheduled supervisionsessions.
• Attendtraining events and complete online training modulesasassigned, completing aminimumoffifty-two(52) hoursof in-servicetrainingannually.
• Motivate clients to complete their activities of daily living, attend groups and social activities, and take their medications as prescribed.
• Assist with scheduling client appointments.
• Assistclientswith room maintenance,laundry,meal planning andpreparation, shopping, andcooking.
• Monitor and report on clients’ whereabouts and status when in their room or elsewhere in the facility.
• Participate in promoting asafe, healthy, andcleanworking environment atall times consistent withapplicable laws,industrystandards and the agency’sown Health&Safety Program.
• Answer the main facility phone and log phone calls.
• Obtain visitor information and monitor visitors while onsite.
• Assist with maintaining facility cleanliness such as but not limited to cleaning bathrooms, taking out garbage, and cleaning the kitchen.
• Maintain food safety protocols.
• Completeand submit accurate timesheetsand absence reportsto program management inatimelymanner.
• Assist with determining if clients meet eligibility requirements to attend a group outing.
• Promotewithinthe agencyandwiththe public the philosophy andpracticeof socialrehabilitation.
• Driveagencyvehicletotransportclients and on variousactivitiesas required, such as but not limited to client outings and clinic visits; documentingand reportingmileage according toagency procedures, so that servicescan be providedin a timelymanner;comply with agencyvehiclepolicy atall times;
• Actively nurtureandadvancethecooperative, harmonious, andteamwork-oriented environmentCaminar strives topromotewithin theworkplace; Through daily efforts andpresentation promotean atmosphereof dignity and respectin linewith theorganization’smission, philosophy, policiesand procedures.
• Performother relatedduties, responsibilitiesandspecial projectsas assigned.

Experience, Qualifications,Skills& Abilities:

• Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.
• Bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology, social work or behavioral sciences is preferred. At a minimum, must have graduated from high school or possess a General Equivalency Diploma(GED) and have a minimum of two (2) years of full-time experience, or its part-time equivalent working in a mental health program serving persons with mental disabilities.
• Excellent computer skills in a MicrosoftWindowsenvironment including email and Internetnavigation required.
• Ability to maintain a high levelof confidentiality, aprofessional demeanorandto always represent the organization in a positive manner.
• Mustdemonstrate acceptable levelofmaturity, goodjudgment, andemotional stability.

• Problem solving—identifies andresolves problems ina timelymannerandgathers andanalyzesinformationskillfully.
• CustomerService—manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly tocustomerneeds,and solicitscustomer feedback toimproveservice.
• Oral and written communication—speaks clearlyand persuasively in positive or negative situations,demonstratesgroup presentation skills, andconductsmeetings.Completeswritten progress notesand otherformalcommunicationsskillfully andprofessionally.
• Quality management—looks forwaystoimprove andpromote quality and demonstratesaccuracyand thoroughness.
• Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans workactivities,uses timeefficientlyand developsrealisticaction plans.
• Adaptability—adaptsto changes in theworkenvironment,manages competingdemands, andcandeal withfrequentchange, delays or unexpectedevents.
• Dependability—is consistentlyatwork andon time, followsinstructions,responds to managementdirection,and solicitsfeedback toimproveperformance.

• Safetyandsecurity—activelypromotesandpersonallyobservessafetyandsecurityprocedures andusesequipment andmaterials properly.
• Mustbea dynamicself-starterwith demonstrated abilityto work independentlyon specialprojects.

Physical,Environmental and Mental Requirements:

• Physical: Occasionally required to push/pullobjectsup to 50 lbs, andtolift/carryobjects up to25lbs.Frequentlyrequired to perform moderately difficult manipulativetaskssuchas typing, writing,etc.Mustbeabletowalk,stand, sitforextended periods.
• Sensory: Frequently required to read documents,written reports,andplans. Mustbe abletodistinguishnormalsoundswith some background noise,as inansweringthe phone, interacting withresidents and staff,etc.Mustbe abletospeak clearlyand understand/be understood using theEnglish language.
• Cognitive:Frequentlyrequired to concentrateonmoderate detailwith constantinterruption.Mustbe able toattendtoa task/function for 20-45minutesat a time.Frequently required to understandand relateto specificideas,several at a time. Must beable to remembermultipletasks/assignmentsgiven toself andothersover a periodof several days.
• Environmental Conditions:Frequent exposuretovaried officeandmixed (residential/office)environments. Occasionalexposure totoxinsandpoisonoussubstances,dust,andloud noises.
• Equipment:Frequently required to useacomputer, phone, and fax machine.

SpecialRequirements:

• Mustbeableto meetandreceive acriminal recordsclearance,as requiredby California Code, Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 5405 and Caminar practices.
• This position may require occasional driving. In order to drive you must possess a valid California driver license and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability. Personal auto insurance and reliable personal vehicle may be required and in all cases are strongly preferred.
• Mustbeabletopass post-offer,pre-employmentmedical anddrug testsas required under StateLicensingregulations and/oragencypolicies.
• MustobtainandmaintainFirst Aid andCPR certification.

We've Got You Covered

Medical, Dental, and Vision
Health coverage choices to fit you and your family’s needs. A zero-cost option for employee only and generous contributions to employee and dependent premiums.

Flexible Spending Account
Receive tax savings on out-of-pocket health care costs.

Employee Wellness Program
We’ll reimburse you for a portion of your gym/fitness dues.

Life, Long-term Disability,and AD&D Insurance
Provided at no cost to our full-time employees. Includes an option to purchase additional life coverage for both employees and dependents.

Paid Time Off
We offer thirteen paid holidays and a generous sick and vacation benefit.

401(K) Retirement Savings Plan
We offer options for both pre-tax and post-tax (Roth) contributions.
The plan also offers an employer match on eligible employee deferrals at one year of service.

Commuter Benefits
Commuting to work each day can be expensive. Receive tax savings on your commuting costs!

Employee Assistance Program
For whatever issue you might face, our Life Assistance Program offers free, confidential assistance at no cost to you.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time based on business need. This job description is subject to change at any time.

Caminar is a leader in providing innovative client-oriented mental health services. We are an equal opportunity employer. Please visit our web site at www.caminar.org