Do you want a career where you can truly make a difference? The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is one of the largest human service providers in Lake County. We live our mission each day, promoting the health and well-being of all who live, work, and play in Lake County. If you are passionate about giving back and ready to be a part of an innovative team, we are looking for you!

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As a Counselor II at the Waukegan Group Home, you will evaluate and assess clients that are residents of the program. You will prepare and implement treatment plans with clients; additionally, you will provide therapeutic and supportive services to clients including individual, group, and family counseling and case management. In residential programs, Counselors are responsible for unit coverage and emergency telephone interventions. Counseling duties are generally office based, case management activities are generally community based.

Hours: Monday and Friday: 1:00pm - 7:00pm; Sunday: 7:00am - 2:00pm

_ SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:_

• Provides direct services to clients including organizing and facilitating individual and group treatment and activities, supervision of the milieu and case management and outreach.
• Develops clients’ abilities to problem-solve interpersonal conflicts.
• Facilitates with clients and collaborates with the treatment team to develop, review and update treatment goals and referrals both internally and externally.
• Takes responsibility for training in and documenting clinical chart requirements to meet program and state standards.
• Provides atmosphere of customer service in assuring that clients are treated in a friendly and respectful manner. Displays positive attitudes and behaviors in the accomplishment of job duties.
• Focuses on client empowerment and evidence-based practices in providing treatment, seeking to assist clients to build on strengths in addressing treatment needs.
• Provides education and direction to clients, family members and/or significant others.
• Organizes and participates in treatment-related clinical conferences and staffings on assigned clients. Reports client progress, behavior problems or need for medication evaluation to program supervisors/physicians/psychiatrists regularly.
• Must meet minimum productivity expectations.
• May assist in the orientation and training of new staff.
• Participates in staff meetings, in-service trainings, and seminars to facilitate professional growth and maintain licensure if required.
• Responds to inquiries, gives appropriate information and referrals, and documents, if necessary.
• Involved in quality improvement activities on an ongoing basis (such as implementing processes as a result of performance measurement reviews, participation in councils and teams, making suggestions to improve a process, designing curriculum for groups).
• Conducts crisis intervention/evaluation/referral to persons who present themselves at the program.
• Performs initial evaluations and assessments of potential clients regarding their appropriateness for participation in the program. Provides ongoing assessment of client’s progress/growth.
• Acquires and utilizes knowledge of LCHD/CHC database and word processing software and other equipment commensurate with position.
• Participates in collection of client fees including completing forms for third-part coverage and discussing balances due with clients, as appropriate.
• In residential programs, provides coverage of the unit/site, insuring 24-hour coverage is maintained at all times. In outpatient programs, provides weekend or evening coverage as required.
• Works with clients to secure and maintain entitlements, housing and other needed services.
• Monitors clients to ensure that they are caring adequately for themselves and for the facility and furnishings.
• Demonstrates/teaches ADLs, when required.

HOUSING AND GROUP HOME COUNSELOR:

• Teaches independent living skills, including cooking, cleaning, budgeting, medication management and leisure time planning skills.
• Works to develop client self-reliance.
• Assists with client medication compliance and training

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION:

• Associate’s degree with an emphasis in behavioral sciences or related field and three years of experience is required, or Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work or related field, one year of experience is required.
• If a recovering person, you must have two years of demonstrated sobriety.

ABOUT THE PERKS:

Lake County offers a competitive salary and benefit package with performance-based incentive plans. We also offer flexible working hours, and a comprehensive wellness and training program. Visit the Health Department page to get additional information on why you should work for us.

To learn more about the department you will be working for, please visit the Group Home Program information page. If you would like to learn more about our community impact and to see some of our employees in action, please review this short video.

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

Required Skills Required Experience