Milieu Counselor

Location:  Somerville Hospital

Work Days: Nights 7P-7:30a Weekends required

Category: Human and Social Services

Department:  Inpatient BH

Job Type: Temporary

Work Shift: Various Shifts 

Hours/Week: 20.00 

Union: No 

Union Name: Non Union 

Are you starting out in healthcare or looking for a career change? If you are looking to make a difference CHA’s temporary staffing department may have a role for you. We offer flexible schedules, varied assignments, competitive pay, and health insurance. Come join an organization where your contribution is valued and continuous learning is part of your day.

Summary:
The Milieu Counselor is a member of the multidisciplinary team who, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse is responsible for a safe and structured service as well as attending to the individual needs of patients in crisis on an inpatient psychiatric setting. Milieu Counselor will provide quality patient care according to The CHA standards of nursing practice to assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and document that care and to develop professionally.

Responsibilities:
Performs specific nursing care under the supervision of staff nurse. Delivers care according to the Nursing Department Standard of Care
oAccurately takes and records patients’ B/P, TPR and weight.
oNotifies RN of changes in vital signs.
oAssists patient in maintaining nutritional and hydration needs, monitors and assists with elimination needs as appropriate for the patient’s age, development and physical status.
oAccurately measures and documents patient’s input and output as needed.
oProvides constant observation, when needed, as directed by the Registered Nurse
oAssists patients in following through with ADLs (i.e. bathing, laundry, organizing room), as appropriate for the patient’s age, development, and clinical needs.

Communicates accurately and in a timely manner via verbal reports to the charge nurse and other members of the clinical team, written reports, and the electronic medical record as appropriate and required by
unit procedure.
oPerforms appropriate daily documentation. Enters progress notes, group notes, vital signs, patient belonging information, and other data as indicated or assigned, into the medical record.
oCollaborates with the primary nurse/charge nurse regarding implementation of a patient’s daily plan.

Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
oShares observations of patient behavior in clinical meetings.
oAttends nursing staff meetings and team meetings when scheduled.
oParticipates in unit based Quality Improvement Plans.
oAttends meetings and participates in committees as required.

Participates in unit monitoring and unit safety.
oFollows unit safety maintenance and checks procedures at all times, and demonstrates accurate and timely documentation of safety checks surveillance, and close observation.
oKnowledgeable about hospital fire and safety procedures and completes annual reviews.
oMaintains current BLS certification for Healthcare Providers.
oHas completed training, and is able to act appropriately in a physical hold/restraint procedure. Familiar with DMH guidelines and regulations on restraint and seclusion of children and adolescents. Understands and
implements the Physical Hold Restraint Policy when indicated.
oDemonstrates an understanding of the principles of caring for patients across the lifespan and trauma informed care.
oDemonstrates responsibility for maintaining unit supplies and electronics, including checklists and inventory lists.
oParticipates in maintaining the cleanliness of the unit on each shift.
oAssists in emergency situations and drills as appropriate (fire, disaster first responder).

Participates in facilitating a therapeutic milieu utilizing communication and interactional skills.
oParticipates as an integral member of the unit-based group treatment program team.
oLeads and co-leads a variety or groups as assigned by the nurse manager/charge nurse.
o(May include recreation, education, psychoeducation, and activity groups.)
oPlans unit activities with the charge nurse and accompanies patients on walks and outings as assigned.
oReviews and follows the nursing care plan for each patient assigned to him/her.
oDemonstrates initiative in establishing relationships with patients through walks, group activities, individual meetings and activities, etc,
oDemonstrates availability to patients and active engagement in the development and maintenance of the therapeutic milieu.
oDemonstrates appropriate use of collaboration, negotiation, limit setting and other strategies to promote a positive learning experience for the child and adolescent patient.
oWorks with individual patients to plan and utilize milieu therapeutically.
oIncorporates the principles of trauma informed care and strength-based approaches to formulations and care.
oLearns from work experience, colleagues, and supervision, and applies new knowledge to further develop skills.

Complies with all policies and procedures of the Cambridge Health Alliance.
oFollows Hospital and Department of Nursing policies and procedures.
oDelivers care according to the Nursing Department’s Standards of Care.
oComplies with the Alliance policy on confidentiality of information regarding patients, families and coworkers.
oIdentifies the unique needs and implements appropriate interventions for the Pediatric, Adolescent, Geriatric and Adult patient populations.
oIntegrates growth and development needs into the delivery of patient care for the population served.
oUses communication methods appropriate for the patient’s developmental stage and/or as appropriate to the age of the patient.
oAssesses the patient’s ability to follow directions for the completion of treatment, and makes adjustments as appropriate. In collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, identifies and manages any special issues,
concerns and risks for the patient population
oPerforms other related duties as assigned or directed. Completes annual educational requirements and in-service training as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Other information:
High school diploma required; B.A, B.S., or M.A. preferred or equivalent years human service experience.
Certification (BLS)
Human Services experience preferred
Newly hired candidates are required to successfully complete a job specific agility test

In keeping with federal, state and local laws, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) policy forbids employees and associates to discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of employment or career development. Furthermore, we will not tolerate the use of discriminatory slurs, or other remarks, jokes or conduct, that in the judgment of CHA, encourage or permit an offensive or hostile work environment.