Community Residence Counselor

Under direction of the Program Director, Nurse Manager, & Charge Nurse, the Community Residence Counselor (CRC ) provides direct patient care and participates in therapeutic milieu within the scope of defined practice. McLean Fernside is a residential treatment program for adults with substance use disorders, many of whom have co-occurring psychiatric disorders. The program includes individual and group therapy based on proven strategies to help people entering recovery.

• Provides direct patient care through group and individual counseling in accordance with current treatment plan.
  • Clear, concise, and timely documentation; encounter forms and shift notes.
  • Establishes relationships with patients that are helpful and maintains professional boundaries.
  • Participates in patient rounds or teams per program guidelines.
  • Completes assigned patient care tasks per program guidelines.
  • Intervenes in managing complex patient situations.
  • Remains awake and alert at all times while on the job.
• Works effectively to manage the therapeutic milieu.
  • Participates in leading and co-leading patient groups.
  • Provides and supervises community activities according to needs. This may include transporting patients to and from activities in hospital vehicles.
  • Provides patients with direction and supervision as needed.
  • Follows established program policies, procedures, and protocols.
  • Assumes leadership when functioning in charge counselor position by delegating duties and providing supervision when needed.
  • Communicates information regarding patient milieu/therapeutic environment to appropriate staff in a timely manner.
• Supervises patients in taking medication as prescribed.
  • Follows all program and hospital wide policies and procedures.
  • Reports and documents missed doses to appropriate staff.
  • Communicates observations related to medication side effects and desired effects to appropriate medical staff in a timely manner.
  • Supports nursing staff in assisting patient in acquiring skills to successfully self-medicate.
• Assists patients in their activities of daily living.
  • Identifies patient's strengths and deficits related to ADL's and initiates and implements interventions to meet these needs.
  • Assesses sleep patterns and assists patients to develop more appropriate sleep cycles notifying clinical team as necessary.
  • Assists patients in maintaining and keeping various appointments.
• Maintains a commitment to professional growth and competency through the post-baccalaureate fellowship program.
  • Completes mandatory in-service requirements.
  • Identifies areas of strengths and areas needing improvement with supervisor.
  • Maintains competency for treating age specific patient populations.
  • Uses supervision effectively to enhance professional growth and development.
  • Attends and participates in rounds and case conferences when appropriate.
  • Attends initial orientation as well as monthly training seminars and supervision.

• Skills/Abilities/Competencies Required

• Experience; No experience required. One-year patient care or related experience preferred, preferably in a psychiatric setting.
• License; Valid Massachusetts driver's license required, and ability to satisfactorily meet hospital driving standards
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work as part of the clinical care treatment team
• All employees must possess basic computer skills to use a variety of electronic or online systems for communication, clinical and administrative purposes
• Medication Administration Program Certification - Applicants who are not currently MAP certified will have a specified time period from the date of hire, to successfully complete a McLean sponsored MAP certification program. Successful passing of the Medication Administration Certification is a requirement of the job.
• Required to complete electronic medical records training and demonstrate 80% accuracy on competency test within 30 days of hire.
• All employees must possess basic computer skills to use a variety of electronic or online systems for communication, clinical and administrative purposes.
• Employees are expected to remain awake and alert at all times on all shifts

• Working Conditions

• Works in a residential psychiatric care setting with patients who may be experiencing a wide range of psychiatric conditions.

• Required to work rotating schedule including weekends, holidays and occasional nights.
• Moderate amount of walking.
• Physical ability for participation in patient activities.
• Must be able to perform Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Light upkeep of building (light stocking) and grounds (brushing light snow from walkways)
• Where MAP is required Color Blind Testing is a condition of employment for employees hired after 5/24/2019