Senior Counselor

Mental Health Association of Nassau County (MHANC) is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to improving mental health in our community through advocacy, education, program development, and the delivery of direct services. Our organization is looking for a motivated individual with a calling to help adults with mental illness by becoming a Senior Counselor.

The primary purpose of the Senior Counselor is to assist the Program Supervisor in overseeing the day-to-day activities in the residence facility. The administration of residence must be in accordance with current governmental regulations, or as may be required by the Supervisor, Program Manager, Director and/or Executive Director to ensure the residential staff provide direct care services.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee residential staff, including but not limited to, Counselors, Relief Staff, Volunteers, and Interns.
• Provide leadership and support to staff to assure program is carried out in accordance with the philosophies, objectives and established policies and procedures of the facility.
• Suggest recommendations to Supervisor for hiring, promotion, and termination of direct care staff.
• Effectively assist in overseeing and preparing responses, determining solutions to problems, and participating in grievance meetings.
• Meet regularly with residents regarding progress, problems, short- and long-term goals.
• Plan and implement activities of the community living program.
• Ensure that program staff follow the written policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the community living program and duties are executed to the best of their abilities.
• Assist in development, maintenance, and implementation with other staff to ensure each resident’s participation with service plans are maintained.
• Assist Supervisor with authorization of time sheets using electronic records.
• Assist with creating and managing staff schedules.
• Serve as back-up for all program staff including but not limited to vacation relief and leave of absences.
• Assist and oversee medication management including resident’s self- administration and documentation.
• Perform administrative duties such as maintaining documentation of all required resident’s reports, evaluations, charting, etc., as necessary.
• Participate in survey (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
• Ensure and/or supervise and document, when necessary, periodic evaluation of resident’s capacity for self-preservation, monthly fire drills and maintenance of fire and safety equipment.
• Maintain administrative records as required. Supervise and maintain documentation of all required resident’s records.
• Attend in-service and other training
• Attend supervisory and other Community Living Program meetings.
• Complete and/or review incident reports and follow up.
• Serve as on-call 24-hours emergency contact, responding to off-hour client emergencies/crisis and provides guidance for necessary interventions including but not limited to in-person interventions in the absence of or at the request of the Program Supervisor.
• Provide input for staff evaluations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field with at least six months experience in the Human Services field.
• Master’s Degree preferred.
• Supervisory experience in a residential program or at least 2 years’ experience working in a residential setting.

Other Qualifications

• Clean NYS Driver’s License
• Basic computer skills
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions, as necessary.
• Must possess the ability to collaborate with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the public.
• Must be knowledgeable of practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations and guidelines that pertain to residential programs.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, etc.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to collaborate with challenging residents.