Milieu Counselor - FT

Prospects Extended Day Treatment Program Milieu Counselor is part of an interdisciplinary team and is the direct day-to-day therapeutic link between the child, family, school, and clinical/psychiatric team during a child’s treatment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Primary counselor for children (approximately four) within their assigned rooms.
2. Complete daily progress notes and Individualized Crisis Service Plans for assigned cases.
3. Facilitate groups and activities for clients within their assigned rooms.
4. Provide crisis intervention, as clinically indicated.
5. Implementation of behavior modification/level system.
6. Monitor daily attendance and provide updates/recommendations to treatment team, as needed.
7. Maintain schedule of psychiatric appointments and remind parent/caregiver of appointments, as needed.
8. Notify clinician(s) and Prospects EDT Program Manager or Clinical Director of EDT/IOP of any psychiatric and/or medical emergency that occurs (e.g., client discloses abuse, expresses suicidal/homicidal ideation or intent).
9. Complete incident reports documenting restraints, critical incidents and/or injuries within 24-hours and submit to EDT Program Manager for review
10. Attend and participate in all necessary meetings including but not limited to interdisciplinary treatment plan review meetings, clinical rounds, community activities/events, staff meetings, conferences, in-service training and workshops identified by Mid Fairfield Community Care Center as conducive to continued growth and skill development.
11. Maintain contact with schools and solicit weekly updates regarding academic and behavioral progress for assigned clients. Document school observations and school contacts.
12. Assist in discharge planning and help clinician and parent/caregiver determine appropriate recreational activities/programs.
13. Obtain Public Service License within 6-months of date of hire. Of note: costs involved in obtaining the license will be reimbursed in full by Mid Fairfield Community Care Center.
14. Complete other duties, as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

Must demonstrate the following competencies:

• Diversity and Inclusion:
  Employees must make every effort to:

• Treat others with respect
• Practice cultural humility
• Elicit and welcome different points of view

• Integrity:
  Act ethically with honesty and consistency regardless of the situation.  Employees must make every effort to:

• Be accountable for his or her own actions
• Make decisions based on what is better for the families and employees
• Build and maintain trust among co-workers and our families
• Uphold honesty in all actions

• Excellence:
  Commitment to deliver outstanding practice in both managing the organization, service delivery, and collaborating with partners. Employees must make every effort to:

• Utilize data and research to provide the highest quality of care
• Regularly participate in professional development to stay abreast of most recent and progressive practices
• Promote continuous quality assessment and improvement

• Communication:
  The ability to express oneself clearly and professionally both in writing, conversations, and in nonverbal communication with others.  Employees must make every effort to:

• Oral Communication

• Speak clearly and in an organized manner that can be easily understood
• Express ideas concisely and respectfully
• Summarize or paraphrase his/her understanding of what others have said to verify understanding and prevent miscommunication
• Hold herself or himself accountable for pitch, speed, tone and volume of voice while speaking
• Show understanding of professional and cultural implications of body posture, stance, gestures, proximity to listener, facial expressions and appearance

• Written Communication

• Write clear and concise sentences devoid of grammatical and spelling errors
• Tailor writing style to the audience of the message
• Write in a respectful and tactful manner

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

This position reports to the supervisor named in the letter of appointment and/or Clinical Director of EDT/IOP, and is accountable to this supervisor and/or Clinical Director of EDT/IOP for the performance of all professional activities at Mid Fairfield Community Care Center. The milieu counselor is a member of the interdisciplinary team.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. HS Diploma or GED equivalent required. Bachelor’s Degree preferred, mental-health related major
2. Must be able to work day shift from 10AM - 6PM.
3. Minimum of 2-years’ experience working with children and families, preferably in a residential, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), or milieu-based setting
4. Familiarity with mental health diagnosis, treatment, and service systems
5. Highly skilled in behavioral management
6. Experience facilitating psychoeducational, therapeutic groups and developing appropriate child-centered activities
7. Experience and competence working with individuals and families from culturally diverse backgrounds, required
8. Verbal and written fluency in English, required
9. Availability to work evenings, as needed
10. Computer skills, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office

SKILLS

Must be able to demonstrate:

• Proven ability to follow program and agency, protocols as well as making independent decisions that are in the best interest of the families while working both in the office and in the field
• Strong crisis assessment skills of an acute population
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment within a multi-disciplinary team
• Proven ability to manage conflict appropriately
• Proven ability to communicate with families as well as with other providers such as school social workers, teachers and other community partners among others
• Demonstrated ability to maintain healthy boundaries between personal and professional responsibilities to be able to function in a high stress job
• Proven ability to manage conflict appropriately and advocate for victims of violence
• Family Engagement:
  • Knowledge of person-centered care
  • Appropriate guidance and facilitation skills for families in the context of their culture, health status, and health needs
• Technical:
  • Knowledge of basic group skills
  • Basic negotiation skills
  • Ability to delegate tasks, responsibilities, etc.
  • Excellent time management skills