Senior Counselor

Wheeler Clinic; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 64,747,200 - 68,880,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Wellness programs

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

403(b) Plan

Education reimbursement

Supervision towards licensure

Licensure reimbursement

Vacation days

Sick days

Personal days

Floating holidays

Paid company holidays

EAP access

Job summary

Wheeler Clinic in Hartford, CT is seeking a Senior Counselor to provide comprehensive, short‑term, home‑based services to families involved with DCF. You will support safety, stability and functioning, and collaborate with schools, DCF, and community providers to prevent out‑of‑home placement.

This full‑time role offers a $4,000 sign‑on bonus (half on hire, half after one year) and an hourly rate of $23.08, along with comprehensive benefits and licensure‑related development opportunities.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling or related field is required.
• Experience with clients with mental health or co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; valid driver’s license required.
• Safely operates vehicle in the community as program needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement case management plans and coordinate care for each client/family.
• Provide frontline crisis support by phone, in-home, or in the community as needed.
• Deliver individual, family, and group counseling with appropriate supervision.
• Maintain documentation and reporting for Medicaid, licensing, and agency requirements.
• Support safety planning and crisis intervention with supervisory guidance.
• Transport clients to appointments and linkages as appropriate.
• Collaborate with internal/external providers and family supports to achieve treatment goals.

Skills

Psychoeducation

Parenting support

Case management

Community resources linkage

Time management

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

BA/BS in psychology or related field

Job description

Position Summary

The Senior Counselor provides comprehensive, short‑term, home‑based services to families involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The Senior Counselor supports families in strengthening safety, stability, and functioning with the goal of preventing out‑of‑home placement. This role will provide training/supervision to advance your skills in engagement, assessment related to overall‑child well‑being, and intervention implementation. Senior Counselors provide psychoeducation, parenting support, case management, linkage to community resources, and assistance with crisis stabilization. They are key members of a multidisciplinary team and work collaboratively with DCF, schools, and community providers.

Sign‑On Bonus

$4,000 Sign‑On Bonus! Half paid upon hire and half paid at one year of service!

Hourly Rate: $23.08

Education and Experience / Qualifications

BA/BS degree in Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling or related field is required. Previous experience working with client population with mental health and/or co‑occurring substance use disorders. Effective time management, strong verbal and written communication skills are required. Valid Driver's License is required. Safely operates vehicle in the community, based on program needs.

Location

Hartford, CT

Schedule

Full time

Employee Benefits

Nurture Your Health:

• Comprehensive medical and prescription insurance through Centivo
• Comprehensive dental and vision insurance through Cigna
• Access to wellness programs to support your physical and mental health

Secure Your Future:

• Enjoy peace of mind with company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• 403(b) Plan, with contributions from the company

Fuel Your Career Growth:

• Pursue your educational goals with our Education Reimbursement Program
• Access training and development opportunities, including supervision towards licensure
• Get reimbursed for licensure

Maintain Work‑Life Harmony:

• 15 vacation days per year to explore and recharge
• 8 sick days per year for your well‑being
• 2 personal days per year for your personal needs
• 2 floating holidays per year to celebrate what matters to you
• 9 paid company holidays to spend with loved ones
• Access free and confidential counseling through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Develops case management plans or plans of care and provides direct case management services and/or coordination of care specific to each assigned client and/or family (biological, foster and/or other caretakers as indicated), including interventions necessary to increase the probability of treatment completion, build on strengths of the client and/or family and to improve life functioning. Submits and reviews documentation as defined by program.

Provides front line crisis support to individuals and/or families in the program by phone, in‑home and/or in the community as needed based on initial assessment of the presenting concerns and program practice parameters. Problem solves by interpreting and adapting guidelines in the field and reviews situational details and assessment with supervisor for a second opinion and consultation.

Makes decisions based on interpretation of the data presented and/or refines the methods and techniques used. Uses judgment to interpret and adapt program guidelines/procedures based on specific concerns/needs/problems presented by client/family.

Determines the processes and methods to follow based on assessment of the client/family presentation and their strengths; takes a course of action from varying alternatives to provide client/family centered support and care.

Provides group, individual and/or family counseling to clients with appropriate supervision and coordinates treatment phases with both internal and/or external service providers and/or family supports as appropriate.

Maintains records of counseling, coordination of care, child and family team meetings and/or case management activities for reporting and tracking purposes and completes all documentation for client medical records in accordance with documentation timelines and in compliance with Medicaid, licensing and other regulatory requirements/agencies as defined by program.

Demonstrates knowledge of basic psychopathology, crisis theory and other behavioral health concerns, and primary intervention modalities relevant to target population (e.g., skill building, safety planning, parenting skills, and high fidelity wraparound care).

Supports daily program specific operational functions as required. May transport clients to appointments or linkages as appropriate.

Provides service (evaluation, treatment, wraparound team facilitation, follow‑up, case management) in the office and/or community settings outside of the office (e.g., homes, schools, hospitals, institutions, other community locations) and maintains a flexible schedule to ensure services are delivered based on client needs and as defined by the program.

Provides/supports safety planning and crisis intervention/clinical emergencies with appropriate supervision including rotating on‑call coverage with other team members to ensure 24 hour availability to clients as required by program.

Participates in the development, implementation, and facilitation of initial treatment plan or plan of care, transition plan and timeline for strategies and next steps as defined by program.

Demonstrates knowledge of internal and external levels of care, referral processes, and resources. Makes clinically appropriate referrals for identified support and service needs in a timely manner.

Meets direct service productivity goals as defined by program, understands program/department/agency guidelines, goals and target outcomes, and adheres to practice standards and to data collection and reporting protocols.

Identifies potential risk factors and takes measures to reduce those risks in the home through appropriate supervision, reinforcement of positive and safe behaviors, trauma-informed and relationally‑based therapeutic interventions as defined by program.

Attends and is prepared for scheduled supervision, team meetings, staff meetings or rounds to assist in coordinating case management/care coordination and review of treatment plans/plans of care. Seeks additional supervision or consultation as needed and follows through with supervisory directives.

Communicates in a positive, effective manner with client, family, and all internal and external providers.

Continues to develop knowledge and understanding about the history, traditions, values, family systems, and artistic expression of groups served as well as uses appropriate methodological approaches, skills, and techniques that reflect an understanding of culture.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Wheeler Clinic is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.