CSO is looking for Counselors for our Respite program in Pittsfield. 

Respite is a 24-hour staffed program that provides short-term, temporary housing and support services for those in transition from one living arrangement to another. Respite is a program funded by the Department of Mental Health.

Clients in Respite have access to psychiatric consultations, a mental health Clinician and medication support as well as a Nurse to provide health assessments, as needed. The program also provides a variety of wellness groups on-site to provide daily structure and connection to community and peer supports.

Responsibilities

• Provide supportive, therapeutic counseling and safety for clients utilizing the program.
• Assist clients with activities of daily living, including self-care, cooking, recreation, and medication administration and documentation according to individual treatment plans and, for overnight shifts, following program procedures for clients.
• Function as an active member of the Treatment Team, on a day-to day basis, in the therapeutic setting including:
• Rotating shifts, as needed;
• Charting and reporting on daily records;
• Maintaining knowledge of patient's treatment plan.
• Monitor respite clients, including hourly bed checks and documentation, and provide closer observation as needed. 
• Answer and direct crisis telephone calls according to established procedures and as required for program support. 
• Prepare daily evening meal for clients and staff if working the evening shift. Coordinate shift duties with other counselor working shift during meal preparation.
• Share observations, interactions, and knowledge to develop 24-hour care plans.
• Attend change of shift meetings when held and provide shift report on client activities and mental status as needed and assigned.
• As a designated critical employee of CSO, must come to work when scheduled regardless of adverse weather conditions, and when other CSO offices are closed, including holidays. In the event there are extenuating circumstances, employee must make prior arrangements with Program Director in order to maintain adequate staffing in the program. 

Qualifications

Clinical Bachelor's Degree with two years' experience working with mentally ill individuals or two years' of supervised internship or field placement experience at a human service agency preferred.  High school diploma with a minimum of five years' experience or Associates' degree in a mental health discipline with two years' relevant experience may be substituted. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills, and computer proficiency including ability to work with email and word processing software.  Must be well organized, able to work independently, follow through with projects, and able to function as a productive member of a treatment team.  Must be able to work flexible schedule, including night and weekends as needed. Must possess valid driver's license and reliable transportation to support outreach and home and community-based activities.

Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, (English/Spanish speaking.)

Benefits

We provide our employees with competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including full coverage health and dental insurance and ample paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, and holidays). Additionally, we offer a 403B retirement savings plan, an employee referral bonus program, regular in-house training and professional development opportunities with free CEUs, and voluntary supplemental insurances at group rates, including short and long-term disability, cancer, accident and life. We also offer a premier employee assistance program (EAP) and personal cell phone plan discounts. Our work environment is flexible and supportive, with ample opportunities for collaboration within and across departments, programs and locations. 

Our Agency

Clinical & Support Options, Inc. is a behavioral health organization serving individuals and families across Western Massachusetts. From our early days as a child guidance clinic, we have expanded into a full service behavioral health agency, committed internally to excellence while we collaborate externally with community partners to participate in a comprehensive system of assistance and resources for the residents of our communities. We employ over 650 multi-disciplinary staff, helping thousands of families over the past 50 years. We have community based office locations throughout Western Massachusetts, including Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield, Orange, Athol, Gardner and Pittsfield.

Our expertise, in a nutshell, is to support people in their progress towards self-sufficiency, no matter what challenges they face on that journey. EOE/AA