Position Summary:
The Residential Counselor provides direct support to clients in the Mental Health Residential Treatment setting. This role is designed for emerging professionals with a bachelor’s degree or in the final stages of completing coursework in social work, psychology or a related field who wish to gain hands on clinical experience. The Residential Counselor assists with direct care support, group facilitation, case management, risk assessment and crisis intervention, while contributing to a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Client Care and Case Management
- Assist with ongoing case management tasks, including coordinating appointments, maintaining communication with providers, and supporting discharge/aftercare planning.
- Transport clients safely to and from appointments, community activities and recovery related outings, maintaining professionalism and therapeutic rapport.
- Support clients in developing daily living skills, self-care routines, and household responsibilities consistent with treatment goals.
- Document all client interactions, observations, and incidents accurately and timely in accordance with program and licensing standards.
Therapeutic and Clinical Support
- Co-facilitate psychoeducational, skills-based and process groups under clinical supervision (e.g., DBT, mindfulness, relapse prevention, emotional regulation, ADL skill building).
- Assist clients with setting and achieving recovery goals.
- Support clients with developing and achieving treatment plan goals and documenting progress as needed.
- Conduct ongoing behavioral observations and report relevant information to the clinical team for treatment planning.
- Participate in the completion of risk assessments (e.g., C-SSRS, SAFE-T) under supervision to monitor client safety and risk status.
- Assist with crisis de-escalation and intervention, utilizing trauma-informed communication, grounding techniques and emergency protocols when necessary.
- Provide supportive one-on-one check-ins to reinforce coping skills, emotional regulation and safety planning within the scope of training.
Milieu and House Management
- Maintain structure and consistency within the daily schedule, ensuring adherence to treatment programming and program guidelines.
- Foster a positive, recovery-oriented community by modeling healthy communication, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution skills.
- Support the upkeep of the home environment by assisting clients with chores, meal preparation, and maintaining cleanliness in shared spaces.
- Ensure the facility is maintained in a safe, clean, and orderly condition.
- Monitor self-administration of medication as per program policy and report any deviations or safety concerns to the supervising staff immediately.
Professional Development and Team Collaboration
- Engage in supervision and ongoing training to enhance professional competence and clinical judgment.
- Demonstrate openness to feedback, willingness to learn, and commitment to developing skills in strength-based communication, risk management, and crisis response.
- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team - including therapists, medical staff, and BHTs - to ensure continuity and quality of care.
- Uphold confidentiality, ethical standards, and all company policies and procedures.
Qualifications
Educational and/or Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree Track:
- Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human services field (Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, etc.).
- Experience: Typically requires no prior experience at this level, as the degree serves as the primary qualifier for entry-level MHW status.
- Associate’s Degree/ 60 Credits Track:
- Education: An associate’s degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university in a human services field.
- Experience: Requires at least 3 years of experience in a mental health or human services setting.
- High School Diploma Track (Equivalency):
- Education: A high school diploma or equivalent.
- Experience: Requires at least 5 years of documented experience in a mental health or human services setting.
Core Competencies
- Trauma-informed and strength-Based Approach
- Crisis de-escalation and intervention skills
- Risk assessment and safety monitoring
- Effective communication and documentation
- Collaborative and team-oriented mindset
- Commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth
Work Environment
- Residential home setting with 24/7 client care.
- Requires flexibility to work on weekends, evenings, or holidays.
- Frequent driving and direct client contact.
Tuesday-Saturday 8:30am-5:00pm Sunday-Thursday 8:30am-5:00pm