Mental Health Counselor

Who We Are:
Chester House is a psychosocial rehabilitation program with services intended to help people diagnosed with a serious mental illness return to their best functional level in order to maintain community tenure. As a Mental Health Counselor, you will work with members of a psychosocial rehabilitation program daily to provide coaching, and skills training aimed at restoring an individual's ability to manage mental illness. If this is you passion, then come join our team!
 
Minimum Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in a human services field such as psychology, rehabilitation counseling or sociology; one year of experience in working with individuals with serious mental illness; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience with an electronic health record preferred.
 
 
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Working knowledge of etiology of mental illness; of principles and techniques of counseling and crisis intervention, and casework management. Ability to conduct individual and group counseling for adults with serious mental illness; to perform crisis management; to operate a personal computer and related software and other standard office equipment; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers. Bilingual (Spanish-speaking) preferred; registered with the Board of Counseling as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) preferred; ability to accurately document in an electronic medical record preferred.
 
Additional Requirements:
Current valid driver’s license and good driving record required. Based on the Virginia DMV point system, record must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months. Out of state driving records must be obtained by applicant and presented at time of interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of interview date.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:
 
 • Plans, leads and participates in educational, vocational, recreational and social activities in a clubhouse setting for clients with mental illness;
 
 • Interviews potential clients and assesses their level of vocational readiness and interests, and assists clients in defining their needs and developing goals and objectives;
 
 • Monitors, evaluates and documents client progress toward achievement of goals and objectives;
 
 • Trains and counsels individuals and groups in pre-vocational and social skills;
 
 • Completes daily unit tasks alongside clubhouse members to promote skill development and supports the operation of the clubhouse;
 
 • Develops and maintains required documentation per federal, state and agency standards (e.g. individual service plans, progress notes and reports, crisis documentation);
 
 • Provides direct crisis intervention and ensures safety of individual in crisis;
 
 • Provides advocacy, referrals and linkages to enhance and facilitate community integration opportunities; and
 
 • Performs other work as required.

Salary : $58,180 - $68,362