Mental Health Counselor II

• Assists in the development and maintenance of a therapeutic milieu and provides for a safe environment for all patients.
  •     1)Is proficient in the tasks of Level I.
  •     2)Takes action to intervene with patients who require help with coping skills and self control.
  •     3)Responds to emergencies as a member of the team and employs progressive containment skills to manage violent behavior.
• Facilitates group activities.
  •     1)Uses therapeutic components of group work (installation of hope, universality, giving information, development of social techniques, imitative behavior, etc.) to develop group cohesion.
  •     2)Manages problem behaviors in groups.
  •     3)Leads psycho-educational groups.
• Collaborates with the treatment team during multidisciplinary team meetings to address patient approaches and behavior.
  •     1)Is proficient in the tasks of Level I.
  •     2)Synthesizes assessment data to help develop Multidisciplinary Treatment Plan.
  •     3)Maintains adequate documentation of information pertaining to the Multidisciplinary Treatment Plan
• Utilizes therapeutic communication techniques during patient assessment and intervention, including admission and discharges.
  •     1)Is able to adapt communication style appropriately to individual patients.
  •     2)Uses confrontation and cognitive restructuring to problem-solve with patients as appropriate.
  •     3)Guides patients through termination of therapeutic relationship under the direction of MHC II or RN.
  •     4)Performs patient education.
  •     5)Assists in development of Suicide Safety Plan
  •     6)Performs individual counseling to involve patients in their treatment plan through goal setting.
  •     7)Seeks supervision for complex communication issues.
• Administers or assists patients with activites of daily living.
  •     1)Manages patient belongings.
  •     2)Encourages and assists patients in formulating personal care goals.
  •     3)Supervises meals and snacks.
  •     4)Provides or supervises administration of general patient care and safety rounds.
• Actively participates in continuing education programs as required.
  •     1)Provides orientation to new mental health counselors, nursing care technicians and other disciplines as needed.

Education/Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology or related field.
• Demonstrated proficiency for the requirements of Level I
• One year psychiatric experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Therapeutic communication skills for individual and group Advanced computer skills, including Excel, ppt, etc.
• CPR per hospital policy •CPI within 6mos, then yearly

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Therapeutic communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to work closely and harmoniously with a number of individuals on the nursing team.
• High tolerance for emotionally or physically stressful situations
• Ability to anticipate patient and unit needs and implement proper therapeutic measures.
• Resiliency and flexibility to deal with a changing environment.
• Demonstrated problem solving ability.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and in difficult situations.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials and life threatening diseases.
• Knowledge of standard precautions is a must.
• Works within and supports a shared governance model.
• Is customer-service focused.
• Ability to lift up to 100 pounds occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds frequently and/or in excess of 20 pounds constantly
• May at times come in contact with violent patients, therefore knowledge of techniques to manage violent patients is a must.
• May be involved in restraining patients.
• Ability to flex hours in order to meet patient care needs.
• Ability to handle crisis situations.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and different shifts in order to accommodate staffing.
• Ability to respond quickly to patient needs and work at fast pace Work environment includes probability of exposure to adverse, hazardous, or unpleasant conditions while caring for the sick.
• Ability to assist in evacuation of patients in the event of a fire or other disaster
• Routinely works with potentially infectious specimens and patient.
• Ability to respond to patients in a timely manner and access all areas of the unit
• If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.