Milieu Counselor - Adolescent Psychiatry - 24 Hrs/wk, D/E

Cambridge Health Alliance; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

An innovative health system is seeking a dedicated Milieu Counselor to join their multidisciplinary team. This role is vital in providing a safe and structured environment for youth with mental health needs in an inpatient psychiatric setting. The counselor will engage with patients, assist with daily living activities, and ensure comprehensive care through collaboration with nursing staff. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of adolescents facing behavioral challenges. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to community health and holistic care.

Benefits

Sign-on Bonus

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; B.A., B.S., or M.A. preferred.
• Current BLS certification is mandatory.
• Experience in behavioral health or psychiatry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily living activities and lead group sessions.
• Conduct safety checks and document vital signs.
• Monitor patient intake and output, ensuring care standards.

Skills

Patient Care

Communication Skills

Teamwork

Crisis Intervention

Education

High School Diploma

B.A. or B.S. in Human Services

M.A. in Human Services

Tools

Basic Life Support Certification

Job description

Location:

CHA Somerville Campus

Work Days:

8-hour shifts, with occasional weekend rotation and holidays as assigned

Category:

Human and Social Services

Department:

2 North

Job Type:

Part-time

Work Shift:

Day / Evening

Hours/Week:

24.00

Union:

Yes

Union Name:

SH Laborers 381

CHA is offering a $5,000 sign-on bonus for all Milieu Counselor positions (32-40 hours per week).

Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) is a vibrant, innovative health system dedicated to providing essential services to all community members. Serving nearly 140,000 patients across Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston's Metro North region, CHA is a preferred provider for primary care, specialty care, emergency services, hospital care, maternity care, and behavioral health.

CHA recently opened a new inpatient center for youth with acute behavioral health needs in Somerville. This facility offers care for children aged 3-12, adolescents aged 13-17, and children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The Center for Inpatient Child & Adolescent Psychiatry provides a comprehensive, patient- and family-centered continuum of care for diverse youth with mental health needs.

The Adolescent Unit is a secure 21-bed psychiatric unit for children aged 12 to 18, located at Somerville Hospital. It focuses on assessment, stabilization, and post-care treatment planning, utilizing a multidisciplinary team dedicated to teaching self-control, de-escalation, and restraint reduction to ensure patient and family-centered care.

CHA offers specialized assessments and care for children with severe mental health needs, providing comprehensive services for adolescents experiencing complex emotional and behavioral difficulties due to behavioral health disorders.

Job Purpose

The Milieu Counselor is part of a multidisciplinary team, working under the supervision of a registered nurse, to ensure a safe, structured environment and attend to individual patient needs in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

The counselor assists with activities of daily living (ADLs), leads or co-leads groups, performs safety checks, conducts 1:1 meetings with patients, and accurately charts vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and weight, notifying the RN of any changes. They also measure and document patient intake and output, assist with bathing, laundry, toileting, room organization, and monitor nutritional and hydration needs, along with other tasks assigned by the charge RN.

Qualifications/Experience

• High school diploma required; B.A., B.S., or M.A. preferred, or equivalent human service experience.
• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Prior experience in human services, behavioral health, or psychiatry is strongly preferred, especially inpatient psychiatric experience.
• All new hires must successfully complete a job-specific physical test.

CHA is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We aim to maintain a workplace free of discrimination and offensive conduct.