Description

We are hiring a Mental Health Counselor I to support the Mental Health Residential Services at UPMC - Western Behavioral Health at Mon Yough. 

The incumbent will be joining the team at the Fifth Ave Place location, one of five residential locations in the McKeesport and White Oak areas. The shift for this role is Friday to Tuesday 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Some travel is required for outings and appointments; a work vehicle is available for these situations.

The incumbent will be joining a team-oriented work environment where staff take a non-judgmental approach when working with residents in different stages of recovery. The ideal candidate will be engaged with clients and a strong advocator. Familiarity with collaborative documentation is preferred.

The Mental Health Counselor I is primarily responsible for the provision and coordination of counseling and casework services within the MH Residential Programs. The incumbent is further responsible for educating and assisting individuals with daily living, financial, socialization, mobility and survival skills.

The Mental Health Counselor I is eligible for a SIGN-ON BONUS! If you are seeking a change and looking to begin your career in mental health, now is your moment to find your place at UPMC!

Sign-On Bonus Details: 

• $3,500 with a 2-year work commitment 

Responsibilities:

• May be requested to work at other sites to ensure that consumer and program needs are met. An orientation binder will be available at each site. Employees are responsible for familiarizing themselves with this information and completing the sign-off sheet.
• Must be able to work independently, under stress and change while performing multiple tasks simultaneously. Cannot impose personal beliefs and practice. Must remain calm, cooperative and supportive while on duty, especially in emergency and unsettling
• Counseling Activities - Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with all MYCS consumers, striving to exceed their expectations for service, quality and delivery. Meets with assigned consumers at least once weekly to discuss progress; address set backs and assists consumers with identifying their treatment needs. Assists consumers with identifying and implementing long and short-term goals; communicates goal progress to consumer on a weekly basis and provides feedback when needed. Provides education and guidance to assist consumers with making life choices. Uses crisis intervention techniques to effectively de-escalate consumer behavior and avoid potentially dangerous situations.
• Documentation Activities - Assesses and documents consumer's functioning level and updates this at least semi-annually. Develops goal and service plans based on the Skill Assessment and input from the consumer. Writes thorough, informative and complete shift progress notes and bi-monthly progress reports. Completes all medication documentation, including pill counts, in a timely manner and provides follow-up as needed. Other related duties and responsibilities as applied.
• Must be cooperative and remain flexible in work schedule adjustments to meet the needs of program operations for all 365 days in the year i.e. (holidays, resident illness, appointments, inclement weather)
• Must be able to stay awake throughout your shift as well as not leave residents unattended until a staff person arrives to relieve you of duty.
• Must provide quality services at all times to residents regardless of medical, psychiatric behavioral issues (i.e. CPR, first aid, behavioral programming and goal plans).
• Casework Activities - Assists residents with scheduling and attending medical and dental appointments, assuring that appropriate documentation is maintained and filed, determines the need for and service delivery of emergency care, utilizing appropriate and available methods of payment; and education regarding healthcare and illness, including the benefits of education and medication. Assists consumers with applying for appropriate financial assistance, developing a budget, establishing checking/savings accounts, and preparing tax forms, rebates, etc. Educates and assists consumers with daily living skills such as menu planning, meal preparation, household chores, laundry and personal hygiene. Assesses, educates, and assists consumers with public transportation, which includes accompanying them on the bus when necessary.
• Casework Activities - Provides orientation to the local community with location of pharmacies, grocery stores, recreational facilities, hospitals, doctors, and dentists. Educates consumers on emergency procedures such as fire safety, natural disasters, loss of utilities, violence and abuse. Teaches and encourages the development of social skills through role-plays and participation in recreational activities. Communicates with treatment team members and keep members informed of consumer's progress. Attends AURD, treatment team and all other scheduled meetings as deemed appropriate. Attends all monthly CRR staff meetings. Provides internal and external liaison to appropriate service providers in accordance with the consumer's service plan.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent with (1) year related experience
• Driving is an essential job responsibility; therefore, must possess a valid PA driver's license and grant MYCS authorization to initiate a Driver History Review including the state Motor Vehicle Driving Record (MVR).
• MVR must meet the required agency standards.
• Incumbent must be accepted by agency insurance.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
• Driver's License
• Act 34
• OAPSA


• UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

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