Mental Health Counselor

Buckelew Programs is a non-profit, behavioral healthcare organization with a mission to promote recovery, resilience and hope by providing behavioral health and support services that enhance quality of life.

As a Mental Health Counselor II in our Residential Support Services program,you will assist the Team Leader with case management and treatment planning for resident adults diagnosed with a mental illness. You will complete daily Medi-Cal progress notes, provide medication assistance, and accompany residents to medical and psychiatric appointments. You will work onsite, Monday- Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM (or hours/days as agreed and based on program need) at two residences. 32 hours will be allotted to main site with 8 hours dedicated to providing services at another location in close proximity to main site.

Responsibilities:

• Complete daily Medi-Cal progress notes and support Team Leader in documentation compliance achieving established productivity rates on a consistent basis.
• Monitor and assist clients in learning to manage their symptoms and provide support and guidance in a manner that emphasizes acceptance, and responds to their needs in their readiness for growth and assumption of increased responsibility and independence.
• Assist Team Leader in treatment planning and implementation of program goals. This includes developing rapport with community providers: Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS), Public Guardians Office, etc. Insure regular and consistent communications via treatment meetings, conference calls, email, phone, voicemail, and direct contact.
• Provide crisis, recovery, harm reduction, symptom management, medication management, and psychoeducation to clients daily.
• Provide medication assistance to clients as requested from Team Leader and pertinent to treatment plan goals.
• Generally act as a positive role model and assist Team Leader in facilitating social rehabilitation activities in the community.
• Accompany Clients to medical and psychiatric appointments as directed by Team Leader.
• Ensure safe and proper use of agency vehicles. Perform weekly agency vehicle inspections and schedule needed vehicle repairs and safety checks as assigned.
• Assist Team Leader in adhering to Community Care Licensing Requirements to maintain licensure.
• Participate and attend trainings and assigned meetings at the discretion of the Team Leader, including weekly supervision meetings.

Qualifications:

• Requires one of the following combinations of education and work experience in order to satisfy MHRS requirements:
  • An Associates Degree in Social Services/Psychology (or related field) plus 6 years of relevant working experience in a social services position.
  • Bachelors Degree plus 4 years of relevant working experience in a social services position.
  • Masters Degree plus 2 years of relevant working experience in a social services position.
• Two or more years of recent and/or relevant experience in a MENTAL HEALTH agency, preferably one that serves adults with severe and persistent mental illness and/or works with a psychosocial rehabilitation approach, teaching independent living skills.
• Must have strong clinical skills, knowledge of Medi-Cal documentation requirements, treatment planning, and assessment.
• Understanding of the principles and practices of psychosocial rehabilitation, MENTAL HEALTH recovery, group dynamics, co-occurring disorders and harm reduction approach.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel at an Intermediate skill level.
• Must be able to clear a LiveScan finger print background check.
• Must have valid California drivers license with an insurable driving record, use of own vehicle (mileage will be reimbursed monthly).

Physical Requirements: Position requires applicants to clear a preplacement physical exam required by Community Care Licensing. Physically capable of the following intermittent activities: stretching, bending, kneeling, twisting, squatting, reaching above and below the shoulder, pushing, pulling, grasping and lifting up to 40 pounds in weight. Job frequently requires sitting, handling objects with hands and the use of fine motor skills. Job often requires standing, walking, reaching, talking, and hearing. The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

AA/EOE