Mental Health Counselor - Baystate Health
Req#: R33204
Category(s): Behavioral Health, Mental Health Counselor
Full Time / Part Time: Per Diem
Shift: First
Baystate Health, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare quality and safety, and home to Baystate Franklin Medical Center is looking for a Per Diem Counselor to join our Mental Health Unit team in Greenfield, MA!
Baystate Franklin Medical Center is an 89-bed community hospital in Greenfield, MA. Rooted in a rich tradition of service and accountability to the people of Franklin County, North Quabbin, and surrounding communities, BFMC services include emergency, surgery, cancer, heart and vascular, obstetrics, and more.
- More than 200 physicians on active and courtesy staff
- More than 24,000 Emergency Department visits annually
- More than 400 babies delivered each year in The Birthplace – a progressive, midwife-driven service.
- Training site for the Family Medicine residency, and for residents in emergency medicine, surgery, and obstetrics programs based at Baystate Medical Center
- Franklin Medical Center joined Baystate Health in 1986
Rooted in a rich tradition of 125 years of service and accountability, our highly skilled team is committed to advancing care with our state-of-the art facilities and technology. Baystate Franklin houses a $26 million surgical center and the talented surgical teams of the Baystate Health network. Our spacious pre-surgery, recovery, and family waiting areas offer privacy and comfort with natural light, healing gardens, and other amenities. Our multidisciplinary approach gives you access to specialists from across the Baystate Health system, offering comprehensive and collaborative medical treatments close to home.
SCHEDULE:
- Per Diem
- Differential pay for second and third shift, weekend, and holiday.
LOCATION:
- Baystate Franklin Medical Center
- Greenfield, MA
- Onsite parking
THE ADVANTAGES OF WORKING WITH BAYSTATE!
- Excellent Compensation High-quality, low-cost medical, dental and vision insurance
- Generous PTO – up to 25 days in the first year, with scheduled earned increases
- Continuing education support and reimbursement
- First Time Home Buyers Financial Packages
- Farm Share Memberships
- 403b retirement company match & annual company contribution increase based on years of service.
- Free money coach advice from a certified professional
- Wellbeing programs that include but are not limited to mental, physical, and financial health.
- Pet, home, auto and personal insurance
- Life insurance
- Reimbursement for a variety of wellbeing activities, included but limited to gym membership and equipment, personal trainer, massage and so much more!
- Wellbeing programs that include but are not limited to mental, physical, and financial health.
- Onsite parking
Baystate Health, western Massachusetts’ only academic center and tertiary care provider has a long and proud tradition of continuous learning and improvement. We educate and train hundreds of healthcare workers every year and advance knowledge about new approaches to care. At Baystate Health we know that treating one another with dignity and equity is what elevates respect for our patients and staff. We are committed to increasing diverse representation across our organization. Together our inspired and compassionate teams manage the whole health needs of all communities in need.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS BY POSITION LEVEL:
Counselor I
- High School/GED
- Minimum 1-year behavioral health experience
Counselor II
- Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum 2 years behavioral health experience
- If no Bachelor's Degree, 6 years of behavioral health experience
Counselor III
- Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum 4 years behavioral health experience
- If no Bachelor's Degree, 8 years of behavioral health experience
We strive to be the place where we can help you build the career you deserve – apply today – YOU belong at Baystate!
OUR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY:
We offer competitive total compensation packages that include pay, benefits, and other recognition programs for our employees. Our compensation offers consider a wide range of factors including knowledge/skills; relevant experience and training; education/certifications/licensure; and other business and organizational factors. Compensation offers do not include our comprehensive benefits package and any incentive payments that may be applicable to this role.
For more information, please visit us online at: baystatehealthjobs.com or interact with us socially at facebook.com/BaystateCareers or on Twitter @BaystateCareers
All correspondence can be directed to:
Cole Courtemanche, Healthcare Recruiter
cole.courtemanche@baystatehealth.org
Summary:
Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, performs a wide variety of duties involving patient management, therapeutic interaction, and physical care of patients admitted to the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. The incumbent is expected to adhere to System and department compliance policies, and any and all applicable laws and regulations. This description covers the essential functions of the position. The incumbent is expected to perform other similar and related duties as assigned.
Job Responsibilities:
1) Participates in a Multidisciplinary Team approach to patient care.
Is familiar with admission and progress notes of team members to develop a better understanding of patients. Collaborates with the team in evaluating patients, planning therapy, and developing treatment goals. Reports observations of patient status to the team and provides input in the preparation and updating of the treatment plans. Assists team members in providing care to patients and follows through on team decisions. Assists in orienting new counselors and welcomes and orients all new staff to the milieu.
2) Provides a safe environment.
Maintains current certification in Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NCI). Intervenes appropriately during crisis situations by providing direct and indirect support to patients needing restraint and/or seclusion. Maintains safety by monitoring and properly documenting restrictions and restraints & seclusions. Maintains safety by adhering to behavior management principles and techniques. Conducts daily sharps checks on patients upon arrival to the program and when indicated by the team. Observe potential safety hazards on the unit and report hazards immediately to supervisors. Maintains safety by adhering to behavior management principles and techniques.
3) Documentation
Documents patient mental status, social behavior, and progress towards identifying goals daily. Documents the ongoing assessments of the patient by completing (Rounds) Safety Check sheets. Documents restraints and seclusions in accordance with policies.
4) Provides a therapeutic milieu
Assesses patient mental status social and symptomatic behavior throughout the course of treatment. Counsels' patients with empathy and respect to assist them in formulating treatment goals and dealing with problems as indicated by reports from patients, patient family, and team members. Refers patients’ physical problems to RN for assessment and intervention. Collaborates with the Team to initiate and implement a plan of care to meet the ADL needs of patients who are unable to perform these tasks themselves. Identifies patient knowledge deficits and implements appropriate teaching in collaboration with the team. Assists in the development and implementation of special approaches and provide 1:1 intervention when indicated. Adheres to defined boundaries and guidelines regarding self-disclosure with patients. Facilitates patient groups and demonstrates a willingness to fill in as needed. Demonstrates adequate understanding and use of Trauma Informed Care principles.
5) Demonstrates accountability for personal and professional growth.
Demonstrates support for the philosophy of the program and adhering to policies, procedures, and standards. Attends all mandatory in-services on an annual basis. Collaborates with supervisors to identify their own professional goals and seeks experience to accomplish these goals. Assists with the identification of program in-service needs.
6) Demonstrates competency for one-to-one observation of patients based on department and unit-specific needs.
7) (Experience) Counselor II will excel in onboarding and training new staff. Through direct on-the-job experience, he/she will provide an exceptional, high-quality orientation for new staff.
8) (Culture) Counselor II will provide new ideas for groups and unit activities with collaboration from the Social Work and Occupational therapy disciplines.
9) (Quality) Counselor II will participate in at least two of the following. A hospital-driven committee. A champion-based initiative. Instructor/super user for a project within Baystate (for example Hand-Hygiene champion, Fall Committee member, or CPI instructor)
10) (Safety) Counselor II will often be a leader when the de-escalation of patients within the Milieu is required. The level II Counselor will actively work to reduce restraints of all types within the unit
11) May be required to onboard and precept new staff
12) Must complete department-specified de-escalation training within 30 days of hire.
Required Work Experience:
1) 2 years of healthcare experience
Preferred Work Experience:
1) 2 years of related child/adolescent experience
Skills and Competencies:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent computer skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to train onboarding staff providing a strong foundation of Behavioral health knowledge.
Age Specific Competencies in- service or equivalent training.
Behavior Management Training/Collaborative Problem Solving.
Restraint and Seclusion in service or equivalent training
You Belong At Baystate
At Baystate Health we know that treating one another with dignity and equity is what elevates respect for our patients and staff. It makes us not just an organization, but also a community where you belong. It is how we advance the care and enhance the lives of all people.
DIVERSE TEAMS. DIVERSE PATIENTS. DIVERSE LOCATIONS.
Education:
Bachelor of Science: Psychology
Certifications:
Basic Life Support – American Heart Association, Certified Crisis Prevention – Crisis Prevention Institute
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.