Residential Counselor, Children's Crisis Pool

At Jefferson Center, it is our policy and our mission to be inclusive and mindful of the diversity of everyone who comes through our doors. We are passionate about building a community where mental health matters and equitable care is accessible to all races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, cultures, and languages.

The New Vistas CSU Residential Counselor will provide milieu management, psychoeducation groups and ensure safety of individuals in New Vistas’ Crisis Stabilization Unit for children/youth.

New Vistas’ mission is to use an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, Residential Counselors, medical staff and admissions staff to provide brief, 3-5 day, crisis stabilization treatment for children and youth with behavioral health issues, including depression, suicidal thoughts, other trauma reactions, and family issues. Our team coordinates treatment and provides tools and safety planning for children/youth and families so that they can safely return to their homes and the community. We are committed to serving Colorado’s children/youth while maintaining a non-judgmental and inclusive approach.

Essential Duties:

• Provides milieu management, guidance, safety, stability, and direction to children/youth using a strengths-based approach.
• Maintains acceptable attendance and punctuality and is consistently at work on time.
• Interacts with children/youth and their families to provide guidance, safety, stability, and direction including de-escalating potentially dangerous situations.
• Acquire and maintain certification in Nonviolent Crisis Prevention and Intervention Training (CPI)
• Performs accurate and timely documentation at all times, including but not limited to admissions, shift notes, discharges, inventories and screening of clients’ personal belongings, individual and group sessions, Medication Occurrences (MOR), and Adverse Incident Reports (AIR).
• Monitors and documents client’s vital signs, physical condition and behavior, as needed. Must be able to administer blood pressure assessments, utilizing blood pressure cuffs, when Nurse is not available.
• Acquire and maintain certification as a Qualified Medication Administration Personnel (QMAP.)
• Administers medications to clients per QMAP standards.
• Acquire and maintain certification in CPR/First Aid.
• Assists with the planning, conducting and supervision of patient activities, including community meetings, groups, external meetings on-site, family visitation, recreational activities, and life skills.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducation groups.
• Assists team in the coordination of treatment referrals for clients motivated to seek on-going treatment following discharge.
• Assign and monitor clients completing residential unit chores, including main areas, hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Collaborate with kitchen staff regarding meals and snacks.
• Practices OSHA safety standards and disposes of biohazard waste according to OSHA standards.
• May assist in transporting admitted clients to hospitals, aftercare or other approved services as directed by the Shift Coordinator or Program Coordinator. Individual may be exposed adverse weather conditions during loading and unloading passengers.
• Effectively responds to the client’s needs and problems, initiates and maintains positive interactions, timely response to phone calls, email and other requests.
• Adheres to all Jefferson Center Policies and Procedures.

Other Duties (Productivity Performance Measures, Professional Growth/Development, Relationships/Communication):

• Ensures Adverse Incident Reporting (AIR) procedures are followed during shift.
• Attends mandatory in-services, staff meetings, clinical supervision, and on-line training as required.
• Participates in supervision by coming prepared with an agenda. Reports high risk/problem cases using a problem-solving approach as well as feedback.
• Participates in and promotes a positive, supportive, cooperative team environment.
• Participates in staff development activities that enhance professional growth.
• Has an understanding of the impact of trauma on the individuals being served, so that every interaction is consistent with the recovery process and reduces the possibility of re-traumatization.
• Participates in the Center’s training/educational programs designed to enhance knowledge about Trauma Informed Care, the impact of trauma and trauma recovery.
• Ensure that delivery practices are guided by the principles of trauma informed care and the principles of addiction treatment.
• Maintains effective interpersonal relations with consumers, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors and the general public. Uses language and behavior to promote dignity and respect.
• Corporate Compliance including documentation on practice in accordance with regulatory requirements and clinical guidelines.
• Exhibits enthusiasm, respect, adaptability, flexibility, and spirit of cooperation in the work environment.
• Must be sensitive to the diverse cultural and situational needs of the patients.

Note: Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required:

• High School Diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
• At least 1 year of experience in the human services field required.
• Experience in mental health or related field in inpatient, residential, crisis prevention, juvenile corrections, or other similar settings strongly preferred.
• Ability to facilitate group activities and capable of high-quality documentation.
• At least 21 years of age.

Salary Grade 49- High School/GED $25.00-$30.00 hour depending on shift.

Salary Grade 50- Bachelor’s Degree $30.00 to $35.00 hour depending on shift.

We will accept applications on an ongoing basis.