Milieu Counselor

Cambridge Health Alliance; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible schedules

Competitive pay

Job summary

Cambridge Health Alliance is seeking a Milieu Counselor to join the inpatient psychiatric unit at Somerville Hospital. The role works nights on a temporary basis, providing structured patient care under a registered nurse supervision and contributing to a therapeutic milieu.

You will perform nursing care, monitor vital signs, assist with ADLs, and document in the EMR while collaborating with the clinical team. A high school diploma is required; BLS and preferred higher education are noted.

Qualifications

• The candidate must have a high school diploma; higher degrees are preferred or equivalent human service experience.
• BLS certification is required.
• New hires must successfully complete a job-specific agility test.

Responsibilities

• Performs nursing care under supervision of staff nurse.
• Records vital signs and weight accurately.
• Maintains nutritional and hydration needs and assists with elimination.
• Documents progress notes and vital data in the EMR.
• Collaborates with the primary/charge nurse on daily plans.
• Participates in unit safety, cleanliness, and group activities.

Skills

Nursing care

Vital signs

Documentation

ADLs assistance

Team collaboration

Safety monitoring

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's or MA preferred

Job description

Location:

Somerville HospitalWork Days:

Nights 7P-7:30a Weekends requiredCategory:

Human and Social ServicesDepartment:

Inpatient BHJob Type:

TemporaryWork Shift:

Various ShiftsHours/Week:

20.00Union:

NoUnion Name:

Non Union

Are you starting out in healthcare or looking for a career change? If you are looking to make a difference CHA's temporary staffing department may have a role for you. We offer flexible schedules, varied assignments, competitive pay, and health insurance. Come join an organization where your contribution is valued and continuous learning is part of your day.

Summary

The Milieu Counselor is a member of the multidisciplinary team who, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse is responsible for a safe and structured service as well as attending to the individual needs of patients in crisis on an inpatient psychiatric setting.

Responsibilities

• Performs specific nursing care under the supervision of staff nurse.
• Delivers care according to the Nursing Department Standard of Care
• Accurately takes and records patients' B/P, TPR and weight.
• Notifies RN of changes in vital signs.
• Assists patient in maintaining nutritional and hydration needs, monitors and assists with elimination needs as appropriate for the patient's age, development and physical status.
• Accurately measures and documents patient's input and output as needed.
• Provides constant observation, when needed, as directed by the Registered Nurse
• Assists patients in following through with ADLs (i.e. bathing, laundry, organizing room), as appropriate for the patient's age, development, and clinical needs.
• Communicates accurately and in a timely manner via verbal reports to the charge nurse and other members of the clinical team, written reports, and the electronic medical record as appropriate and required by unit procedure
• Perform appropriate daily documentation. Enters progress notes, group notes, vital signs, patient belonging information, and other data as indicated or assigned, into the medical record.
• Collaborates with the primary nurse/charge nurse regarding implementation of a patient's daily plan.
• Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Shares observations of patient behavior in clinical meetings.
• Attends nursing staff meetings and team meetings when scheduled.
• Participates in unit based Quality Improvement Plans.
• Attends meetings and participates in committees as required.
• Participates in unit monitoring and unit safety.
• Follows unit safety maintenance and checks procedures at all times, and demonstrates accurate and timely documentation of safety checks surveillance, and close observation.
• Knowledgeable about hospital fire and safety procedures and completes annual reviews.
• Maintains current BLS certification for Healthcare Providers.
• Has completed training, and is able to act appropriately in a physical hold/restraint procedure. Familiar with DMH guidelines and regulations on restraint and seclusion of children and adolescents. Understands and implements the Physical Hold Restraint Policy when indicated.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the principles of caring for patients across the lifespan and trauma informed care.
• Demonstrates responsibility for maintaining unit supplies and electronics, including checklists and inventory lists.
• Participates in maintaining the cleanliness of the unit on each shift.
• Assists in emergency situations and drills as appropriate (fire, disaster first responder). Participates in facilitating a therapeutic milieu utilizing communication and interactional skills.
• Participates as an integral member of the unit-based group treatment program team.
• Leads and co-leads a variety or groups as assigned by the nurse manager/charge nurse.
• (May include recreation, education, psychoeducation, and activity groups.)
• Plans unit activities with the charge nurse and accompanies patients on walks and outings as assigned.
• Reviews and follows the nursing care plan for each patient assigned to him/her.
• Demonstrates initiative in establishing relationships with patients through walks, group activities, individual meetings and activities, etc
• Demonstrates availability to patients and active engagement in the development and maintenance of the therapeutic milieu.
• Demonstrates appropriate use of collaboration, negotiation, limit setting and other strategies to promote a positive learning experience for the child and adolescent patient.
• Works with individual patients to plan and utilize milieu therapeutically.
• Incorporates the principles of trauma informed care and strength-based approaches to formulations and care.
• Learns from work experience, colleagues, and supervision, and applies new knowledge to further develop skills.
• Complies with all policies and procedures of the Cambridge Health Alliance.
• Follows Hospital and Department of Nursing policies and procedures.
• Delivers care according to the Nursing Department's Standards of Care.
• Complies with the Alliance policy on confidentiality of information regarding patients, families and coworkers.
• Identifies the unique needs and implements appropriate interventions for the Pediatric, Adolescent, Geriatric and Adult patient populations.
• Integrates growth and development needs into the delivery of patient care for the population served.
• Uses communication methods appropriate for the patient's developmental stage and/or as appropriate to the age of the patient.
• Assesses the patient's ability to follow directions for the completion of treatment, and makes adjustments as appropriate. In collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, identifies and manages any special issues, concerns and risks for the patient population.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.
• Completes annual educational requirements and in-service training as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Other information:High school diploma required; B.A, B.S., or M.A. preferred or equivalent years human service experience.Certification (BLS)Human Services experience preferredNewly hired candidates are required to successfully complete a job specific agility test

In keeping with federal, state and local laws, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) policy forbids employees and associates to discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of employment or career development. Furthermore, we will not tolerate the use of discriminatory slurs, or other remarks, jokes or conduct, that in the judgment of CHA, encourage or permit an offensive or hostile work environment. Cambridge Health Alliance brings Care to the People - including your neighbors, friends and family. Our local hospitals and care centers serve our vibrant, diverse communities, and play an integral role in improving health. As passionate advocates for the underserved, we actively partner with our communities to take on challenging public health issues, and conduct important research to help reduce barriers to care. We believe that everyone deserves access to high quality, convenient health care. This is why our employees believe in where they work and why many build long, rewarding careers at CHA.

Healthcare is changing rapidly. CHA has a strategic plan that charts a proactive course for our future. It is built on a vision of equity and excellence for everyone, every time. It also recognizes that our workforce is our most valuable asset and prioritizes competitive salaries, benefits and professional development opportunities for employees. The strategic plan is changing the way we provide care and improving the health and experience of our patients; we are looking for smart, committed, compassionate people who want to be part of making our vision of better health and equity a reality.

At CHA, you can believe in where you work and go home every day knowing you made a difference. Join our team and help us bring Care to the People.