MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR I

The Mental Health Counselor I is responsible for providing support to clients so that they may live independently in the community or within a Buckelew housing environment. Provides daily independent living assistance to clients in a manner that facilitates recovery and independence. The Mental Health Counselor I works directly with clients (often in the field depending upon the program design) as part of a team supporting client recovery and independence.

Administrative

• Work as part of team, providing prompt communication to all members.
• Maintain accurate, timely and complete assigned documentation standards including client notations, mileage reports, etc.

Client Responsibilities

• Teach, assist and support clients in all aspects of activities of daily living that is helpful yet responsive to their readiness to take on increased responsibility.
• Observe, monitor and report general tone and mood of clients. Ensure agency safety protocols are implemented and adhered too. Assist clients in practicing and implementing appropriate safety protocols. Act as positive role model.
• Assist clients with shopping, meal planning and cooking daily; teaching skills as necessary.
• Provide medication prompts and reminders and assure that medications are refilled in a timely manner. Provide medication assistance, proper storage of medications, and monitor client medication adherence as directed by specific program site.
• Provide transportation in personal and agency vehicles as directed. Teach use of public transportation system. Assist clients to maintain all medical appointments.

Maintenance Responsibilities

• Perform general housekeeping tasks (vacuuming, dishwashing, dusting, etc.) as needed.
• Perform basic maintenance tasks (light bulbs, smoke detectors, loose screws, air filters, etc.). Report all major repairs needed to supervisor.
• Ensure adequate household supplies; obtain and transport supplies as needed and directed.

Program Quality and Compliance

• Assure all services provided meet the highest standards of care. Ensure that services are delivered in a manner that facilitates progress toward identifiable client goals while maintaining a reasonable degree of client satisfaction.
• Ensure that all legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements applicable to the program are adhered to and/or delivered, including compliance with program certifications as required (e.g., CARF, MediCal Regulations, HUD, etc.) and all licensing requirements.

Education and Experience: High School diploma or equivalent. Experience with people with mental illness and/or substance abuse issues is preferred.

Professional: Must be fluent in English; bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Ability to work in an independent, organized, calm and reassuring manner using good boundaries and good judgment; to be reliable, dependable and flexible; and to accept supervision, suggestions and feedback. Must have interest in working with persons with a behavioral health disability. Ability to work within all the rules, regulations, and policies that govern agency compliance. Organized, responsible, professional, able to work on many projects simultaneously, to be flexible, empathic and able to relate to clients, other professionals, and the general community. Basic to intermediate level skills in MS Office (including Excel, Word and Outlook). Must be a positive team player. Must have and maintain a valid California drivers license with an insurable driving record and insured personal car to use on the job. Must be able to pass Livescan fingerprinting background check (for some programs).

Physical Requirements: Physically capable of the following intermittent activities: listening, talking, seeing, stretching, bending, kneeling, twisting, squatting, reaching above and below the shoulder, pushing, pulling, grasping and lifting up to 30 pounds in weight. Physically capable of the following extended activities: driving, writing, standing, typing, and sitting.

AA/EOE