Baystate Health·Springfield, Massachusetts
Participate in a multidisciplinary team to provide patient care, including documenting mental status and implementing treatment plans. Maintain a safe therapeutic environment by conducting safety checks and intervening during crisis situations.
Baystate Health, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare quality and safety, and home to Baystate Medical Center (BMC), is seeking a Mental Health Counselor to join our Adult Psychiatric Treatment Unit (APTU), consisting of unit counselors, a psychiatrist, a physician assistant, psychiatric nurses, psychiatric social workers and master's prepared specialists, occupational and recreational therapists in Springfield, MA!
Job specific duties/Responsibilities
Participates in Multidisciplinary Team approach to patient care. Is familiar with admission and progress notes of team members to develop a better understanding of patients.
Reports observations of patients' status to the team and provides input in the preparation and updating of the treatment plans.
Provides a safe environment. Conducts daily sharps checks on patients upon arrival and when indicated by the Team. Intervenes appropriately during crisis situations by providing support, patient escorts and authorizes restraint and seclusion.
Maintains safety by monitoring groups, time away and restraint and seclusion.
Observes for potential safety hazards on the unit and reports hazards immediately to supervisors.
Documents patient mental status, social behavior and progress towards identifying goals daily. Documents the ongoing assessment of patients by completing monitoring and rounds sheets. Documents restraints and seclusions in accordance with policies. Documents all necessary information in EMR as dictated by policy and procedure.
Provides a therapeutic milieu. Assesses patient mental status social and symptomatic behavior and progress towards identified goals daily. Counsels patients with empathy and respect to assist them to formulate treatment goals. Refers patients' physical problems to RN for assessment and intervention.
Collaborates with Team to initiate and implement plan of care to meet ADL needs of patients who are unable to perform these tasks themselves.
Demonstrates effective use of the behavior management principles and Collaborative Problem Solving techniques. Develops and implements special programming. Assists co-workers in daily activities and replaces them as needed.
Additional duties and responsibilities as needed.
We strive to be the place where we can help you build the career you deserve – apply today – YOU belong at Baystate!
Education: High School Diploma (Required)
Basic Life Support - American Heart AssociationAmerican Heart Association, Certified Crisis Prevention - Crisis Prevention InstituteCrisis Prevention InstituteCrisis Prevention Institute
The compensation range(s) in the table below represent the base salaries for all positions at a given grade across the health system. Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. Actual salaries may vary by position and will be determined based on the candidate's relevant experience. No employee will be paid below the minimum of the range. Pay ranges are listed as hourly for non-exempt employees and based on assumed full time commitment for exempt employees.
Minimum - Midpoint - Maximum
$17.98 - $23.27 - $29.82
Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.
Requires a high school diploma and at least one year of healthcare experience. Must possess or obtain BLS, Crisis Prevention, and Physical/Psych Management certifications.
Market context
In Massachusetts, behavioral health employers often look for licensed or license-eligible clinicians with experience supporting at-risk youth and families, so demand tends to stay steady for candidates who can work across settings and age groups. These roles can be competitive because employers usually want a master’s degree, a clear licensure path, and practical experience; review the summarized requirements and benefits here, which are AI-summarized from the original job description to save research time, then confirm your licensure status and tailor your application to youth and family work.
