Job Details

Relief Counselor

Under supervision of the Program Director and/or the Assistant Director, the Counselor provides support and assistance to clients through individual and group counseling in a crisis or transitional residential treatment program.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical, and empowering relationship with all individuals served.
• Establish and maintain clear and effective communications with clients, ensure that their needs are met, assist them in the development and implementation of their treatment plans, and prepare them for the next level of care or other discharge options.
• Monitor and document clients' intake of psychiatric medications and ensure that medications are handled and stored in accordance with established program procedures and licensing regulations; regularly review medication logs to ensure that they are accurate and complete.
• Document clients' progress in program charts and conduct regular chart reviews in accordance with established program procedures.
• Assist program management in ensuring compliance with all agency policies and procedures, contractual agreements, licensing and certification requirements, and local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Provide one-to-one and group counseling to program clients, as assigned and as necessary.
• Provide accurate, timely, and complete transfer of program and client information to other staff as they begin their shift.
• Assist program management with ongoing development, implementation, evaluation, and refinement of documented curriculum in support of all classes and groups provided.
• Conduct educational classes for program participants, as assigned, ensuring that the curriculum for such classes is documented, regularly updated, improved, and expanded.
• Provide crisis intervention as necessary.
• Perform client intake interviews and assessments, as assigned.
• Remain alert and perform job functions as assigned and as necessary during awake overnight shifts.
• Orient new clients to the program, or, when possible, enable other clients to orient new clients.
• Coordinate client treatment and rehabilitation among all those involved, including therapists, other providers, and family members.
• Maintain and safeguard client monthly allowance accounts and petty cash funds. Provide accurate monthly accounting of these funds and ensuring that they balance properly and that all receipts are submitted to the corporate office in a timely manner.
• In conjunction with all other program staff members, actively participate in the effort to ensure that the facility environment is homelike, clean, safe, attractive, and comfortable at all times. Notify program management of all needs for repair or maintenance of the facility or program vehicles, involving clients when appropriate.
• Facilitate and lead structured program activities, as assigned.
• Educate clients about and enable them to make use of free and low-cost community resources for social and recreational use, as well as service resources, such as AA and NA.
• Participate in staff meetings and attend other meetings, as assigned.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled supervision sessions.
• Attend training events as assigned, completing a minimum of twenty (20) hours of in-service training annually.
• Assist program management in maintaining the program budget by carefully managing resources and by exploring and recommending cost saving measures and approaches to service delivery.
• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with funding agency representatives, referral sources, neighbors, merchants, police, and others with whom the program interacts.
• Assist clients with room maintenance, laundry, meal planning and preparation, shopping, and cooking.
• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agency's own Health & Safety Program.
• Complete and submit accurate time sheets and absence reports to program management in a timely manner.
• Promote within the agency and with the general public the philosophy and practice of social rehabilitation.
• Drive own or agency vehicle to transport clients and on various errands, as required; documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; comply with agency vehicle policy at all times.
• Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; Through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization's mission, philosophy, policies and procedures.
• Perform other related duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.
• High School Diploma or GED is required. BA in psychology or related field is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of one year full time experience or its part time equivalent working in a program serving persons with mental disabilities is preferred. Such experience must be in the direct provision of services to clients.
• Experience in psychiatric rehabilitation, preferably in a social rehabilitation environment is preferred.
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required. Experience with Human Service Information Systems strongly preferred.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to represent the organization in a positive manner at all times.
• Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability.
• Problem solvingidentifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Customer Servicemanages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs and solicits customer feedback to improve service.
• Oral and written communicationspeaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings. Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally.
• Quality managementlooks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Planning/organizingprioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
• Adaptabilityadapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
• Dependabilityis consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and securityactively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Must be a dynamic self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently on special projects.

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices.
• This position may require occasional driving. A valid California driver license and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are essential job requirements. Personal auto insurance and reliable personal vehicle may be required and in all cases are strongly preferred.
• Must be able to pass post offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies.
• Must obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.