Mental Health Counselor II

Title: Mental Health Counselor II (Activity Program Staff)

Program/Dept: MHRC

Reports to: Program Director

Classification: Regular Fulltime, Nonexempt

Salary Range: $2 6 an hour (+ 5% differential pay if applicable to shift)

About Us: Caminar is a leading behavioral health organization that supports youth and adults across multiple counties in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Caminar builds strength and stability through comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment, and wrap-around services, delivered through evidence-based, whole-person care. Founded in 1964, Caminar's vision is to be a beacon of safety, compassion, and fulfillment, supporting all those in our communities who need it most. Our mission is to build strength and stability through comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment delivered through evidence-based, whole-person care

Position Summary: This is a full-time position with a varied work schedule. Under supervision of the Program Director , the Mental Health Counselor 2 provides support and assistance to clients by encouraging them to participate in activities planned to meet their individual assessed needs , stimulate and support physical and mental capabilities to the fullest extent , and enable clients to maintain the highest attainable social, physical and mental functioning.

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 implementation of their treatment plans, and prepare them for the next level of care or other discharge options.
• Participate in client intake and discharge processes.
• Obtain initial client inventory list and maintain client inventory list through clients duration in the program.
• Document clients' progress in program charts daily .
• 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 accurate, timely, and complete transfer of program and client information to other staff as they begin their shift.
• Provide crisis intervention and including physically restrain clients, as necessary.
• Provide one-to-one services as necessary.
• Remain alert , perform job functions, and complete task lists .
• Orient new clients to the program, or, when possible, enable other clients to orient new clients.

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.

• Assist program management to create and maintain a safe and professional working environment free of hostility, harassment, and discrimination.
• Ensure safety of the facility perimeter and client safety at all times , reporting any unusual occurrence involving a client to licensed nursing staff or management immediately.
• Facilitate and lead structured program groups , indoor and outdoor activities , creative and education al activities, client government and exercise activities on a daily basis .
• Participate in staff meetings and attend other meetings, as assigned.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled supervision sessions.
• Attend training events and complete online training modules as assigned, completing a minimum of fifty-two ( 52 ) hours of in-service training annually.
• Motivate clients to complete their activities of daily living , attend groups and social activities, and take their medications as prescribed.
• Assist with scheduling client appointments.
• Assist clients with room maintenance, laundry, meal planning and preparation, shopping, and cooking.
• Monitor and report on clients whereabouts and status when in their room or elsewhere in the facility.
• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy, and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agencys own Health & Safety Program.
• Answer the main facility phone and log phone calls.
• Obtain visitor information and monitor visitors while onsite.
• Assist with maintaining facility cleanliness such as but not limited to cleaning bathrooms, taking out garbage, and cleaning the kitchen.
• Maintain food safety protocols.
• Complete and submit accurate time sheets and absence reports to program management in a timely manner.
• Assist with determining if clients meet eligibility requirements to attend a group outing.
• Promote within the agency and with the public the philosophy and practice of social rehabilitation.
• Drive agency vehicle to transport clients and on various activities as required , such as but not limited to client outings and clinic visits ; 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 organizations mission, philosophy, policies and procedures.
• Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.
• Bachelors deg ree with a major in psychology, social work or behavioral sciences is preferred. At a minimum, must have graduated from high school or possess a General Equivalency Diploma (G ED ) and have a minimum of two (2) years of full-time experience, or its part-time equivalent working in a mental health program serving persons with mental disabilities .
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to always represent the organization in a positive manner.
• 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 can 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.

Physical, Environmental and Mental Requirements:

• Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs, and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, sit for extended periods.
• Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language.
• Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend to a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days.
• Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments. Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.
• Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine.

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by California Code, Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC 5405 and Caminar practices.
• This position may require occasional driving. In order to drive you must possess a valid California driver license and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability. 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 Licensing regulations and/or agency policies.
• Must obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.

We've Got You Covered Medical, Dental, and Vision Health coverage choices to fit you and your familys needs. A low cost option for employee only and generous contributions to employee and dependent premiums. Flexible Spending Account Receive tax savings on out-of-pocket health care costs. Employee Wellness Program Well reimburse you for a portion of your gym/fitness dues. Life, Long-term Disability, and AD&D Insurance Provided at no cost to our full-time employees. Includes an option to purchase additional life coverage for both employees and dependents. Paid Time Off We offer twelve paid holidays and a generous sick and vacation benefit. 401(K) Retirement Savings Plan We offer options for both pre-tax and post-tax (Roth) contributions. The plan also offers an employer match on eligible employee deferrals at one year of service. Commuter Benefits Commuting to work each day can be expensive. Receive tax savings on your commuting costs! Employee Assistance Program For whatever issue you might face, our Life Assistance Program offers free, confidential assistance at no cost to you. Caminar is a leader in providing innovative client-oriented mental health services. We are an equal opportunity employer. Please visit our web site at www.caminar.org