Mental Health Counselor (Restoration Center)

Vinfen; Lowell (MA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Vinfen’s Restoration Center Respite in Lowell, MA is seeking a dedicated staff member to support Persons Served in residence, helping them overcome barriers to independent living and implementing Treatment Plan interventions as directed by the Respite Clinical Program Director.

You will drive PS to community appointments, assist with meals and daily living, maintain a safe environment, and collaborate with the Respite team to promote recovery and community integration.

Qualifications

• Must have access to operable vehicle for transporting Persons Served.
• Ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct service to Persons Served in the Restoration Center Respite.
• Drive and accompany PS to community appointments.
• Assist with meals and daily living activities.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment.
• Document required information and participate in trainings and supervision.

Skills

Driving

Communication

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Overview

Summary:

Provide direct service in the Restoration Center Respite. Help Persons Served (PS) in residence overcome barriers to, and prepare for, living independently. Implement PS Treatment Plan support interventions as assigned by Respite Clinical Program Director. Provide physical site maintenance. Ensure a safe, comfortable and clean environment. Supports community access for PS by driving their own or company-owned or leased vehicles, transporting and accompanying PS to, from and during community appointments as directed by Respite program staff.

Responsibilities

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Helps orient Persons Served (PS) who are new to the Respite.
• Collaborates with Respite Program staff as needed to address needs of PS. Implement PS Treatment Plan interventions as directed by the by Respite Clinical Supervisor.
• Performs day-to-day assignments as directed by the Program Director.
• Uses recovery-oriented, person-centered, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, culturally competent and strengths-based approaches with PS.
• Adheres to safety, maintenance, Human Rights and other operational policies and procedures.
• Complies with physical site licensing standards and regulations.
• Creates opportunities for PS to participate in the smooth operation of the Respite, including participating in meal preparation, physical site maintenance, etc.
• Encourages social interaction between PS and helps create a collaborative environment where PS, family, friends, and others important in the lives of PS are welcome, respected and valued. Serves as a resource for neighbors.
• Helps PS prepare meals.
• Acts as an advocate for PS.
• Participates in trainings; attend supervision and staff meetings as requested.
• Assists with the orientation of new staff.
• Completes all required documentation.
• Contributes to program’s quality improvement goals and objectives.
• Helps PS use crisis intervention techniques when necessary. Accesses on-call back up when needed.
• Supports the provision of evidence-based practices and best practices to PS, including Motivational Interviewing; Harm Reduction; Housing First; Stages of Change; Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP); Seeking Safety and Cognitive Behavioral interventions.
• Completes incident documentation as needed.
• Performs physical site maintenance activities following maintenance schedule
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.
• Transports and accompanies PS to community appointments.
• Promotes the safety of all PS during transportation.
• Arranges routine vehicle maintenance.
• Complies with company vehicle procedures.
• Develops and maintains service-oriented and professional relationships with community resources and other service providers.
• Monitors PS status, reports concerns or incidents to supervisor.
• Picks up and drops off deliveries of program materials and supplies, as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

About Vinfen

Why Vinfen? We are committed to you! We offer great training, great benefits, career growth and job security!

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to collaborate as a member of multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams
• Ability to function as an agent of change
• Ability to make independent judgements and decisions
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
• Ability to triage/balance competing priorities
• Ability to function under pressure in fast passed health and human services environments
• Ability to be flexible, open and responsive to ongoing industry changes
• Ability to articulate and communicate the Community Partners program’s mission
• Ability to represent the organization in a variety of circumstances and forums
• Ability to identify opportunities and obstacles and develop effective and creative solutions
• Strong commitment to the rights and ability of people served to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the resources and support needed in their community of choice.
• Knowledge of person-centered, strength based, recovery-oriented values and principles and modalities
• Knowledge of clinical and psychiatric rehabilitation values, principles and techniques
• Knowledge of health risks of prevalence with adults with SMI/SUD
• Knowledge of health promotion and clinical care coordination techniques
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally responsive services
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues
• Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with Enrollees
• Knowledge of human, legal, civil rights, community and other resources
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of available community health, mental health, and SUD services and resources

Typical Requirements:

• One to two years related experience working with people with psychiatric disability and/or co-occurring disorders preferred.
• Must have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport PS.
• Preference given to bilingual/bicultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions.
• Preferred /Required Education:High School diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in human services field is preferred.

Driving Requirements:

Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. - If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe drivingrecord which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least one year, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.

Physical Effort:

Direct Care Roles - Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living. Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. For positions in day programs or group residences, the ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.

Required Certifications/Trainings:

CPR within 2 weeks of hire, First Aid within 2 weeks of hire

Pay Range

USD $23.52 - USD $23.52 /Hr.