Job Summary:

The Adolescent Psychiatry/ Comprehensive Assessment Treatement Unit is seeking a full time Mental HealthCounselor I (MHCI). The MHCI will work under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). The MHCI delivers patient care utilizing the Relationship-Based Care model as a framework. The MHCI provides care and takes initiative to improve patient outcomes by supporting Shared Leadership, Evidence Based Practice and Magnet’s Five Models of Care in clinical practice. Through therapeutic relationships with patients, families, self and colleagues, the MHCI functions as an interdisciplinary team member who provides patient care and fulfills unit and organizational goals

Key Responsiblities:

Clinical

1. Performs continuous patient observations to promote patient and staff safety at all times.
2. Observes, reports, and documents patient’s behavior and responses to therapy in the electronic medical record.
3. Participates in individual or group therapeutic activities? observes and documents patient’s response to activities.
4. Develops and maintains therapeutic relationship with patients and theirfamilies.
5. Assists patients with activities of daily living.
6. Measures and records vital signs, weight and height.
7. Plans group sessions, field trips and related therapeutic activities for patients.
8. Assists with application of restraints and monitors the psychological and physical well-being of patients in restraints and documents observations.
9. Performs One-to-One coverage and monitoring of patients as assigned and documents observations. 
10. Assists with patient seclusion, monitors and documents observations.
11. Accompanies and supervises patient off of unit to campus health care appointments

Professional/Leadership

1. Advocates for patients, families, and their significant others and the community.
2. Participates in organizational, departmental and shared leadership activities? supports department and unit goals in daily behavior.
3. Demonstrates accountability for job performance by:
   1. Seeking opportunities to enhance job skills and knowledge.
   2. Maintaining conditions of employment (BLS and other required unit-specific requirements).

Organizational

1.  Adheres to the Hospital's Code of Conduct.
2. Treats patients/families, staff, students and visitors with respect and dignity.
3. Adheres to Nursing’s time, overtime and attendance policies.
4. Completes electronic learning modules and related programs as assigned by the Hospital Learning by established date.
5. Complies with University Health Services TB and fit-testing requirements.
6. Utilizes established communication channels/chain of command to escalate or resolve unit problems.
7. Identifies recurring clinical practice and/or related unit problems and participates in problem solving and resolution.

Education/Research

1. Collaborates with other staff to identify, promote and provide positive learning experiences for staff and students.
2. Serves as a resource to other staff and students. Accesses UI Health intranet for relevant communication and to review and interpret changes in policy, procedure and other information pertinent to practice.
3. Supports nursing and multidisciplinary research efforts conducted on the unit and in the Hospital.
4. Takes responsibility for continued professional growth/development by identification of learning needs and initiates strategies to meet such needs

Minimum Qualifications:

1. A. Baccalaureate degree with 18 semester hours in one or more of the behavioral sciences (such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, criminal justice, political science, etc.)

OR

B. three years of direct patient care experience in a psychiatric or mental health care setting

OR

C. any combination of college course work, with emphasis on one or more of the behavioral sciences, and direct patient care experience in a psychiatric or mental Health care setting which totals 3 years

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPI Certified 
• BLS Certified

To Apply: For fullest consideration, please fully complete an online application by clicking the Apply for Position button below.

Fully complete all sections of the online application including adding your full work history with specific details of your duties & responsibilities for each position held. Fully complete the education, licensure, certification and language sections.

You may upload a resume, cover letter, certifications, licensures, transcripts and diplomas within the document section of your online application.

All civil service positions require an exam. You will be required to report in person for this exam.

When completing your online application, please be sure to provide detailed information about your job knowledge and specific duties and responsibilities, as your qualifications for any Civil Service position will be primarily determined based on what is contained in the application. Dates of employment and if employed on a full or part time basis (including number of hours per week) must be indicated for each position held. Additional consideration will be given to supporting documentation i.e. resume, transcripts, licenses, and certifications so please be sure to attach all applicable documents.

For additional information regarding this position please contact mvalde5@uic.edu

If an application is not fully completed and submitted by the close date, the applicant/employee will not be considered for this position.

For fullest consideration, the above mentioned requirements must be submitted no later than 6/23/22.

We appreciate your interest in employment at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

This position requires Illinois residency within 180 days of the hire date.

University of Illinois faculty, staff and students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an exemption in accordance with applicable University processes.

For classifications that require a degree as part of the minimum qualifications, a degree verification will be required before any offers of employment are extended.