Counselor Assistant

Top reasons to work for SMA Healthcare:

• Career growth and advancement potential
• Great benefits such as: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, & Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Personal Leave and Paid Holidays
  
• 403b Retirement Plan (matches one to one of employee contribution for the first 3%, then a 50% match on the next 6% of employee contribution)

*Pay starts at $15 per hour*

Essential Job Functions: 

• Responsible for monitoring the behavior and activities of each client; reports any concerns regarding the health, safety, or well-being of a client to the appropriate authority.
• Serves as a positive role model; utilizes approved behavior modification techniques; provides positive reinforcement and support to clients.
• Processes admissions and discharges for residential and detox clients; orients the client to the facility; explains rules, policies and procedures.
• Completes required program documentation and reports as required.
• Facilitates group and individual counseling sessions.
• Documents service activity notes daily on clients' activities, behavior patterns, changes in behavior patterns, medications.
• Reviews and documents in shift report logs, shift logs, companion files etc.
• Obtains required program information from clients; inventories client valuables. 
• Conducts security/safety checks; monitors visitors/clients for contraband; conducts searches; removes dangerous items; performs and/or assists with restraints. Collects urine specimens; delivers to laboratory if required; utilizes infection control procedures.
• Participates in meetings as required; converses with staff on client's progress.
• Performs general office duties; answers telephones; communicates with the public, police, DCF, hospitals etc; files, types, copies. 
• Attends training/in-services as required.
• Controls verbally and/or physically abusive and aggressive clients and performs aggression control techniques.
• Ensures compliance with DCF Licensure standards and security safeguards.
• Assist clients with activities of daily living, including, but not limited to, meal preparation, behavioral observations, transportation, and recreational activities.
• Provides a safe and therapeutic environment; interacting in a warm compassionate manner; de-escalating clients; promoting/assisting client achievement of treatment plan goals and objectives.
• As a member of the multidisciplinary team, works in close conjunction with all team members, and other collaborating agencies to ensure the best possible client outcomes.
• Coordinates with outside services as appropriate to ensure that clients' needs are addressed.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education and/or Experience:  Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent and 2 years of related human services experience required.  Certification as a CBHT, or an Associates Degree in a human services discipline preferred.  Certification as an addictions counselor (CAC), or training in moral reconation therapy (MRT) is preferred. 

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities: 

• Extensive knowledge of the human services field and the application of basic client care skills.
• Ability to handle verbally and/or physically abusive and aggressive clients and utilize aggression control techniques to ensure the safety and well-being of the client, other clients, and employees in the unit.
• Ability to communicate effectively with suicidal, mentally, emotionally, and/or psychologically disturbed clients in person and over the telephone.
• Ability to defuse potentially dangerous situations, and remain calm in an emergency.
• Ability to facilitate Counseling groups in an appropriate, therapeutic manner.

Necessary Special Requirements: Possession of a valid Florida driver's license, acceptable driving record, and proof of personal automobile insurance if required to drive an SMA vehicle and/or use a personal vehicle for SMA business. Complete State of Florida mandatory background screening prior to start of employment.  Complete SMA required training during the first six (6) months of employment and updated if required.

Physical: Mobility and ability to bend and reach during an 8-12 hour day. Able to lift minimum 10 pounds. Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to evaluate, intervene, treat, and record client health care needs. Fine motor skills for legible and accurate charting, daily correspondence and presentation, either manually or orally. Work endurance ability to work 8-12 hour shifts with a meal break, as possible. Routine 8-12 hour shifts. Hours and days off may vary. Extra hours may be required. Work assignment locations may vary.

Application: This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications which may be required of the employee assigned to the position. It should not be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such individuals may be given.