Beth Israel Lahey Health·Newburyport, Massachusetts
The Psychiatric Counselor assists the multidisciplinary team in implementing individualized patient care plans and maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment. They provide direct patient support, document care data, and facilitate group activities while ensuring patient rights and safety.
When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives. Under the Direction of the Registered Nurse provides and maintains a safe and therapeutic milieu. Works in a collaborative manner with the multi-disciplinary treatment team and contributes to the patient’s individual treatment plan.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES Assists multidisciplinary team in formulating, implementing, and observing outcomes of the individualized patient plan of care Encourages and supports patients in maintaining ADL’s. Communicates and records significant changes in patient’s condition or behavioral changes to the RN. Legibly documents all pertinent data regarding patient care in the patient care record. Assists the Registered Nurse with the admission assessment and discharge process. Monitors the therapeutic milieu and maintains a safe and therapeutic environment for patients, family members, and staff. Demonstrates understanding of patients’ rights and the complaint/grievance process Follows hospital and department policies and procedures Works collaboratively as a co-leader or leader during scheduled groups and documents patient’s participation. Manages stressful situations in a calm, organized and professional manner Maintains patient confidentiality Maintains CPI and BCLS education Attends or reads all staff meeting documentation Participates in ongoing clinical education to ensure competency specific to psychiatry Demonstrates flexibility and cooperation in response to unexpected change in work volume, emergencies and staffing or scheduling changes Follows The Joint Commission safety goals As designated, serves as Human Rights Officer for the unit. Acts as a knowledgeable resource for patients, families, and staff regarding regulatory and human rights, effectively investigates complaints, and ensures follow-through with unit Director. Attends annual DMH human rights officer training. Completes other duties as assigned JOB REQUIREMENTS Education High School Diploma Required Bachelor's degree in psychology or related field or equivalent experience is preferred. Experience At least one year of experience working with psychiatric patients in an inpatient setting is preferred. Licenses or certifications Advanced AVADE training provided during orientation program. BLS certification required. Skills, knowledge and abilities Must possess verbal and written skills to communicate effectively and courteously with a diverse group of professional and non-professional members of the health care team, patients and family/significant others. FUNCTIONAL DEMANDS Physical Demands Stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, fingering as in picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling; grasping, talking, talking as expressing or exchanging ideas. Involvement in the physical management of violent behaviors. Work Environment The work environment is in a locked inpatient psychiatric program for individual 16 years and above. Psychiatric Counselors must possess adequate strength and stamina to work on their feet at least part of any day. In addition, it is essential that Psychiatric Counselors demonstrate an ability to recognize potential problems as they arise. In response to these situations, Psychiatric Counselors effectively assist their colleagues in the implementation of appropriate interventions for the patient and/or the milieu in crisis. Potential for exposure to communicable diseases, blood/body fluids and other hazardous waste. General hospital environment. Age-Specific Criteria Patient care provider: direct patient care including, but not limited to, developing a therapeutic relationship with the patient, and participating in the individual multi-disciplinary treatment planning. Patient Care Provided For: Adolescent (ages 16-18) Adult Geriatric Pay Range: $19.50 - $26.24 The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law. As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment. More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
A high school diploma is required, with a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field preferred. Candidates should have at least one year of experience in an inpatient psychiatric setting and possess BLS certification.
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.