Child & Family Services, Inc.
Lead Mental Health Counselor (YCCS)
Child & Family Services, Inc., New Bedford, Massachusetts, us, 02746
Summary
The Lead Mental Health Counselor works as part of the treatment team within our Acute Care Services. The role establishes open and effective communication and support among co‑workers, directs the routine of the milieu, and delegates duties and tasks related to the supervision of clients. Responsibilities include crisis stabilization, coordination and execution of treatment plans, and adherence to agency policies. The program, YCCS, provides short‑term residential treatment for children ages 4‑17 needing acute crisis stabilization.
Compensation Base pay range:
$20.50/hr – $22.00/hr . HS Diploma/GED: $20.50/hr. Bachelor’s Degree: $22.00/hr. Language Differential: $1 per hour (eligible for Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, or ASL).
Responsibilities
Provide a comfortable youth and family friendly environment conducive to recovery and stabilization.
Assist in the development of treatment planning that specifies goals and actions addressing medical, social, therapeutic, educational, and other strengths and needs of youth.
Participate in the development and implementation of behavioral plans and crisis/safety plans.
Assist in facilitating youth admissions and discharges.
Facilitate/co‑facilitate recreational groups and wellness activities including physical exercise, nutrition, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness.
Provide supervision for phone/virtual interaction between youth, guardians, and approved contacts while youth is at the program.
Perform 15‑minute checks of youth during waking hours while in their bedrooms.
Perform 30‑minute checks of all youth during sleeping hours.
Update daily capacity on the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA) website and locate other services for youth in after‑care planning and referrals.
Interact therapeutically with youth and maintain visual supervision/monitoring as indicated.
Use verbal de‑escalation skills, planned ignoring, and redirection to encourage self‑soothing and self‑regulation.
Use physical intervention only as a last resort and within agency guidelines; completion of YCCS de‑escalation and physical management certification is required.
Work effectively and professionally with youths, family members, state agency personnel, and other agencies.
Perform basic household duties and meal preparation.
Collaborate with Acute Care Services staff to cross‑train and provide coverage as needed.
Maintain regular and timely attendance, including mandatory monthly staff meetings and trainings.
Respond quickly to emergencies and move readily from task to task.
Possess excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Promote high staff morale and team atmosphere within the department.
Adhere to agency confidentiality policies.
Work within a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.
Apply strong problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
Communicate with youth in a manner that promotes growth, human rights, and community integration.
Be cross‑trained in policies, procedures, and working with adults on ACCS to assist with programmatic needs.
Supervision Duties
Delegate shift tasks and duties.
Ensure shift duties are complete.
Oversee Mental Health Counselors on shift, providing coaching on performance.
Participate in Clinical Team Meetings/Rounds.
Participate in Lead Mental Health Counselor meetings.
Update communication log and brief incoming Lead with unit happenings.
Call for coverage for call‑outs.
Facilitate or designate staff to facilitate groups when clinical staff are not available.
Train new Mental Health Counselors.
Additional Duties This job description is not exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
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Compensation Base pay range:
$20.50/hr – $22.00/hr . HS Diploma/GED: $20.50/hr. Bachelor’s Degree: $22.00/hr. Language Differential: $1 per hour (eligible for Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, or ASL).
Responsibilities
Provide a comfortable youth and family friendly environment conducive to recovery and stabilization.
Assist in the development of treatment planning that specifies goals and actions addressing medical, social, therapeutic, educational, and other strengths and needs of youth.
Participate in the development and implementation of behavioral plans and crisis/safety plans.
Assist in facilitating youth admissions and discharges.
Facilitate/co‑facilitate recreational groups and wellness activities including physical exercise, nutrition, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness.
Provide supervision for phone/virtual interaction between youth, guardians, and approved contacts while youth is at the program.
Perform 15‑minute checks of youth during waking hours while in their bedrooms.
Perform 30‑minute checks of all youth during sleeping hours.
Update daily capacity on the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA) website and locate other services for youth in after‑care planning and referrals.
Interact therapeutically with youth and maintain visual supervision/monitoring as indicated.
Use verbal de‑escalation skills, planned ignoring, and redirection to encourage self‑soothing and self‑regulation.
Use physical intervention only as a last resort and within agency guidelines; completion of YCCS de‑escalation and physical management certification is required.
Work effectively and professionally with youths, family members, state agency personnel, and other agencies.
Perform basic household duties and meal preparation.
Collaborate with Acute Care Services staff to cross‑train and provide coverage as needed.
Maintain regular and timely attendance, including mandatory monthly staff meetings and trainings.
Respond quickly to emergencies and move readily from task to task.
Possess excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Promote high staff morale and team atmosphere within the department.
Adhere to agency confidentiality policies.
Work within a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.
Apply strong problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
Communicate with youth in a manner that promotes growth, human rights, and community integration.
Be cross‑trained in policies, procedures, and working with adults on ACCS to assist with programmatic needs.
Supervision Duties
Delegate shift tasks and duties.
Ensure shift duties are complete.
Oversee Mental Health Counselors on shift, providing coaching on performance.
Participate in Clinical Team Meetings/Rounds.
Participate in Lead Mental Health Counselor meetings.
Update communication log and brief incoming Lead with unit happenings.
Call for coverage for call‑outs.
Facilitate or designate staff to facilitate groups when clinical staff are not available.
Train new Mental Health Counselors.
Additional Duties This job description is not exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
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