Counselor I

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health; Hampstead (NH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to $5,000 sign-on bonus

Job summary

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health in Hampstead, NH seeks a Counselor in the Psychiatric Unit to establish therapeutic relationships and support patient care through structured treatment plans. You will lead group sessions, assist with daily living, and coordinate with clinical staff to ensure safe, recovery-oriented care.

The role emphasizes adherence to regulatory standards, patient safety, and comprehensive documentation, with opportunities for professional growth within a teaching hospital setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related behavioral science.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in social work or psychiatric inpatient/clinical setting.
• License eligibility for New Hampshire LCMHC or licensure by reciprocity.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement therapeutic plans and patient relationships aligned with goals.
• Conduct patient group sessions and daily therapeutic activity groups.
• Assist with daily living and maintain a safe therapeutic milieu.
• Collaborate with treatment staff and community resources for transitions.
• Maintain accurate medical records per Joint Commission standards.

Skills

Therapeutic relationships

Group facilitation

Patient-centered care

Clinical documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related behavioral science

Three years' experience in social work/psychiatric settings

License eligibility for NH LCMHC

Tools

Basic computer literacy

Job description

Overview

*GET UP TO A $5,000 BONUS!!*

The Counselor at Hampstead establishes therapeutic relationships with assigned patients and facilitates maintaining the therapeutic environment in the Psychiatric Unit. The Counselor provides progressively basic-to-complex patient care services, increasing independence with experience and skill.

Responsibilities

• Creates and implements therapeutic plans and relationships with assigned patients and ensures that treatment plans are followed appropriately so that they may progress toward their goals. Provide patient-centered care that is resiliency and recovery-oriented, with a primary focus on patients' health and safety.Conducts patient group sessions and patient education that reflect treatment plans and goals; facilitates daily therapeutic activity groups; ensures follow-up with appropriate clinical and/or support staff.
• Assists patients with daily living and maintains a safe and therapeutic milieu along with an orderly work environment. Participates in hospital safety training programs and meets with a Senior Counselor and Supervisor for ongoing mentoring, guidance, and supervision.
• Utilizes interventions consistent with current research relevant to developmental, cultural, and disability-specific needs. Maintain current knowledge in the field of psychiatric care to apply a broad range of established therapeutic techniques; work becomes more complex and independent with increased knowledge, training, and experience.
• Consults and communicates with other professional treatment staff regarding various treatment interventions, psychosocial and environmental influences, the availability of community resources, and needs for transition to the community.
• Updates and maintains accurate medical records and other documentation in accordance with all Joint Commission, State Licensing, and Medicare standards as applicable. Follows program and departmental policies and procedures as well as discipline-specific standards and expectations with regard to psychosocial assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, and other required forms and reports.
• Promotes the hospital culture of patient safety in a non-punitive atmosphere; observes and reports significant events &/or concerns to the Senior Counselor/Charge Nurse/Milieu Supervisor.

Qualifications

• • Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university with major study in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related behavioral science area. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.
  • Three years' experience in social work, clinical mental health counseling, or related field in a psychiatric in-patient or clinical environment. Each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education.
  • Preferer candidate to have a license or be eligible for licensure through reciprocity as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in New Hampshire. Experience in providing clinical services within the mental health service delivery system. Familiarity with computer applications such as e-mail, basic word-processing, and database input.

Required Licensure/Certifications

• None