Job Description

Title: Mental Health Counselor I

Program/Dept: MHRC

Reports to: Director of Nursing

Classification: Full Time, Nonexempt

Salary Range: $25 an hour (+ 5% differential pay if applicable to shift)

Shift: Th-M 3-11:30 pm

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.

Caminar values diversity People of all races, ethnicities, countries of origin, faiths, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome here. To learn more, please visit www.caminar.org

Position This is a Full-Time position withUndersupervision ofthe Director of Nursing, the Mental Health Counselor 1 providessupportand assistance toclientsthrough individual supportand services deliveredin a Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC).

EssentialDuties& Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a respectful, caring,tolerant,ethical, and empowering relationship with all individuals served.
• Establish andmaintain clear and effective communications with clients, ensure that their needs aremet, assist themin the development and implementationof theirtreatment plans, and preparethemfor the next levelof care or other discharge options.
• Participate in client intake and discharge processes
• Obtain initial client inventory list and maintain client inventory list throughout clients duration in the program.
• Document clients' progressin programcharts daily
• Assistprogram management in ensuring compliancewith all agency policiesand procedures,contractual agreements, licensing and certificationrequirements,and local,state,and federal lawsand regulations.
• Provide accurate, timely, and completetransferof programand clientinformation toother staff asthey begin their shift.
• Providecrisis interventionand including physically restrain clients,as necessary.
• Provide one-to-one services to clients, as necessary.
• Remainalert , performjobfunctions, and complete daily task lists.
• Orient newclients to the program, or, when possible,enable other clientsto orient newclients.

In conjunction withall other programstaffmembers,actively participatein the effortto ensurethatthe facility environment is homelike,clean,safe,attractive, and comfortable at all times

• Notify programmanagementof all needs for repair or maintenanceof the facilityor programvehicles,involving clientswhenappropriate.

• Assistprogram management to create and maintaina safe and professionalworking environmentfree 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.
• Facilitateand lead activities, as assigned.
• Participate in staffmeetings and attendothermeetings, as assigned.
• Attendand participate in regularly scheduled supervisionsessions.
• Attend training eventsand complete online training modules as assigned, completing a minimumof fifty-two(52) hoursof in-servicetrainingannually.
• Motivate clients to complete their activities of daily living, attend groups and social activities, and take their medications as prescribed.
• Assist nursing staff with gathering clients for medication passes.
• Assist with scheduling client appointments.
• Assistclientswith dressing, grooming, bathing and or other personal hygiene related activities.
• Assist clients with getting and eating meals.
• Assist clients with room maintenance,laundry,meal planning and preparation, shopping, and cooking.
• Support licensed nursing staff with taking and recording clients’ height, weight and vital signs, as assigned.
• Monitor and report on clients’ whereabouts and status when in their room or elsewhere in the facility.
• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy, andcleanworking environment atall times consistent withapplicable laws, industrystandards and the agency’sown 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.
• Completeand submit accurate timesheetsand absence reportsto program management ina timelymanner.
• Promotewithinthe agencyandwith the public the philosophy and practiceof socialrehabilitation.
• Driveagencyvehicletotransportclients and on various errands,as required, such as but not limited to client outings and clinic visits; documentingand reportingmileage according to agency procedures, so that servicescan be providedin a timelymanner;comply with agencyvehiclepolicy atall times;
• Actively nurtureand advancethe cooperative, harmonious, and teamwork-oriented environmentCaminar strives topromotewithin theworkplace; Through daily efforts and presentation promotean atmosphereof dignity and respectin linewith theorganization’smission, philosophy, policiesand procedures.
• Performother relatedduties, responsibilitiesand special projectsas assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.
• High School Diploma or GED is preferred. If there is no high school diploma or GED, a minimum of one year experience or training related to mental health programsSuch experience shall be in the direct provision of services to a program’s identified clients or residents.
• Excellent computer skills in a MicrosoftWindowsenvironment including email and Internetnavigation required.
• Ability to maintain a high levelof confidentiality, a professional demeanorand to always represent the organization in a positive manner.
• Mustdemonstrate acceptable levelof maturity, goodjudgment, and emotional stability.

• Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems ina timelymannerand gathers and analyzesinformationskillfully.
• CustomerService—manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customerneeds,and solicitscustomer feedback toimproveservice.
• Oral and written communication—speaks clearlyand persuasively in positive or negative situations,demonstratesgroup presentation skills, and conductsmeetings.Completeswritten progress notesand other formalcommunicationsskillfully and professionally.
• Quality management—looks forwaysto improve andpromote quality and demonstratesaccuracyand thoroughness.
• Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans workactivities,uses timeefficientlyand developsrealisticaction plans.
• Adaptability—adaptsto changes in theworkenvironment,manages competingdemands, andcan deal with frequentchange, delays or unexpectedevents.
• Dependability—is consistentlyat work andon time, followsinstructions,responds to managementdirection,and solicitsfeedback toimproveperformance.

• Safetyandsecurity—activelypromotesandpersonallyobservessafetyandsecurityprocedures and usesequipment and materials properly.
• Mustbea dynamicself-starterwith demonstrated abilityto work independentlyon specialprojects.

Position Requirements

• Physical Occasionally required to push/pullobjectsup to 50 lbs., andto lift/carryobjects up to25 lbs.Frequentlyrequired to perform moderately difficult manipulativetasks suchas typing, writing,etc. Mustbeabletowalk, stand, sitforextended periods.
• Sensory Frequently required to read documents,written reports,and plans. Mustbe abletodistinguishnormalsoundswith some background noise,as in answeringthe phone, interacting with residents and staff,etc. Mustbe abletospeak clearlyand understand/be understood using theEnglish language.
• CognitiveFrequentlyrequired to concentrateon moderate detailwith constantinterruption.Mustbe able toattendtoa task/function for 20-45minutesat a time.Frequently required to understandand relateto specificideas, several at a time. Must beable to remembermultipletasks/assignmentsgiven toself andothers over a periodof several days.
• EnvironmentalConditions:Frequent exposuretovaried officeand mixed (residential/office)environments. Occasionalexposure totoxinsand poisonoussubstances,dust,andloud noises.
• Equipment:Frequently required to usea computer, phone, and fax machine.

SpecialRequirements:

• Mustbeableto meetand receive a criminal recordsclearance,as requiredby 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.
• Mustbeableto pass post-offer,pre-employmentmedical and drug testsas required under StateLicensingregulations and/oragencypolicies.
• Mustobtainand maintainFirst Aid and CPR certification.

We've Got You CoveredMedical, Dental, and Vision
Health coverage choices to fit you and your family’s needs.A zero-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
We’ll 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.Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time based on business need.This job description is subject to change at any time.Caminar is a leader in providing innovative client-oriented mental health services.We are an equal opportunity employer.Please visit our web site atwww.caminar.org