GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION: Under the general supervision of the Program Director or designee, participates as a member of the mental health treatment team in an intensive treatment program. Assist with the delivery of direct care, including provision for safety and milieu activities. Take an active role in re-acclimating individuals to the larger community. Provide trauma informed care and promote a person-centered, skills-based collaborative philosophy. The milieu counselor participates in a process of continuous learning and demonstrates openness to evolving philosophies of practice, including restraint and seclusion prevention.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participates and shares responsibility for the development and maintenance of a therapeutic environment
• Gathers information for psychosocial history and mental status assessment of patients
• Assists in orientation of patients to unit
• Takes vital signs and weights, collects specimens, and records results in patient charts
• Assists patients in achieving and maintaining appropriate activity levels including activities of daily living
• Provides direct care services, instructing and/or assisting in feeding, bathing, toileting, dressing, etc.
• Observes and records patients’ behavior
• May assist in medical emergencies, i.e. initiate CPR
• Intervenes in crisis situations providing guidance, structure, and (when needed) restraint
• Participate in therapy as indicated by the treatment plan including individual groups, community meetings, meals, occupational therapy groups, expressive therapy such as psychodrama, and art and movement therapy
• Plan group, social, recreational therapy on and off the unit, and other activities
• Maintain patient records
• Documents all information obtained in evaluation, assessment, consultant, referral, and discharge planning according to established policy and procedure
• Attends staff meetings, supervisory sessions, patient related review meetings, and in-service training sessions as required
• Perform other duties as required

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate Degree in Psychology or Human Services or two years experience in a health related field  or equivalent
• Demonstrated ability to interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress and to remain calm when under stress or in emergency situations
• Ability to work in a team setting and in group situations
• Must be able to assist in the physical restraint of disturbed patients
• Valid drivers license required to transport patients to offsite locations