MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR II

Join Buckelew Programs and you will play a pivotal role in making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. 

We are hiring a new Mental Health Counselor II to join our Casa Rene program. In this role, you will provide daily support and guidance to clients with mental health needs, helping them live independently either in the community or within a Buckelew housing environment. This position focuses on promoting recovery, autonomy, and skill-building through hands-on assistance, counseling, and life skills coaching. You will work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. This is on-site position, working Monday - Friday, 4 pm - 12 am.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administrative

• Work as part of team, providing prompt communication to all members.
• In some program environments, may be responsible for maintaining agency billing standards as outlined by supervisor.
• Maintain accurate, timely and complete assigned documentation standards including client notations, mileage reports, etc.
• Conduct and facilitate group support meetings and house meetings as required by program site.

Client Responsibilities

• Teach, assist and support clients in all aspects of activities of daily living that is helpful yet responsive to their readiness to take on increased responsibility.
• Observe, monitor and report general tone and mood of clients. Ensure agency safety protocols are implemented and adhered too. Assist clients in practicing and implementing appropriate safety protocols. Act as positive role model.
• Assist clients with shopping, meal planning and cooking daily; teaching skills as necessary.
• Provide medication prompts and reminders and assure that medications are refilled in a timely manner. Provide medication assistance, proper storage of medications, and monitor client medication adherence as directed by specific program site.
• Provide transportation in personal and agency vehicles as directed. Teach use of public transportation system. Assist clients to maintain all medical appointments.

Maintenance Responsibilities

• Perform general housekeeping tasks (vacuuming, dishwashing, dusting, etc.) as needed.
• Perform basic maintenance tasks (light bulbs, smoke detectors, loose screws, air filters, etc.). Report all major repairs needed to supervisor.
• Ensure adequate household supplies; obtain and transport supplies as needed and directed.

Program Quality and Compliance

• Assure all services provided meet the highest standards of care. Ensure that services are delivered in a manner that facilitates progress toward identifiable client goals while maintaining a reasonable degree of client satisfaction.
• Ensure that all legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements applicable to the program are adhered to and/or delivered, including compliance with program certifications as required (e.g., CARF, MediCal Regulations, HUD, etc.) and all licensing requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience (Must meet one of the following):

• BA/BS + 4 years experience in a mental health setting as a specialist in the fields of physical restorations, social adjustment or vocational adjustment
• AA + 6 years experience in a mental health setting as a specialist in the fields of physical restorations, social adjustment or vocational adjustment
• If has a graduate education (up to two years of graduate professional education may be substituted for the experience on a year to year basis). For example, someone with a bachelors degree, 2 years experience in a mental health setting can qualify. Mental health experience in a mental health setting as a specialist in the fields of physical restorations, social adjustment or vocational adjustment.

Professional: Must be fluent in English; bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Ability to work in an independent, organized, calm and reassuring manner using good boundaries and good judgment; to be reliable, dependable and flexible; and to accept supervision, suggestions and feedback. Must have interest in working with persons with a behavioral health disability. Ability to work within all the rules, regulations, and policies that govern agency compliance. Organized, responsible, professional, able to work on many projects simultaneously, to be flexible, empathic and able to relate to clients, other professionals, and the general community. Intermediate level skills in MS Office (including Excel, Word and Outlook). Must be a positive team player. Must have and maintain a valid California drivers license with an insurable driving record and insured personal car to use on the job. Must be able to pass Livescan fingerprinting background check (for some programs).

Physical Requirements: Physically capable of the following intermittent activities: listening, talking, seeing, stretching, bending, kneeling, twisting, squatting, reaching above and below the shoulder, pushing, pulling, grasping and lifting up to 30 pounds in weight. Physically capable of the following extended activities: driving, writing, standing, typing, and sitting.

Benefits Offered: Medical, dental, vision and life and long-term disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts for health, dependent and transit costs, retirement savings plan with company match, eligibility for loan forgiveness, continuing education credits available through our learning management system, discount program, paid meal breaks and generous paid time off.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a workplace that celebrates diversity, promotes equality, and fosters inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.