Residential Counselor - PrairieCare

We are a psychiatric healthcare system, dedicated to providing mental healthcare for all, with seven locations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, and two additional sites located in Rochester and Mankato. With a robust benefits package, career advancement opportunities, and great workplace culture, we value our employees and the work they do each day for our patients and families. Our services span the full continuum of care for patients, with a variety of roles and opportunities for job-seekers looking for more than a job, but a place where you can grow in your career.

The residential counselor is responsible for providing direct care and supervision to residential clients.  Counselors are responsible for partnering with the entire residential team to provide a therapeutic environment for clients.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Provides milieu counseling, facilitates groups, assists clients in daily skills practice, facilitates resident outings to the community, and provides crisis intervention when needed (including de-escalation and restrictive procedures)
• Participate in treatment planning for clients through observation, therapeutic intervention, and providing feedback and evaluation of client progress.
• Ensure safety of residents and staff through constant monitoring for potential safety hazards (unit checks, belongings searches, room searches) and report issues appropriately
• Assists in the upkeep and maintenance of the facility by notifying the correct individual when supplies are low
• Stock supplies and sanitize program utensils, toys, and other containers/materials as needed
• Responsible for professional, timely and accurate documentation
• Must be at least 21 years of age, or 18 years of age with an approved variance via MN Department of Human Services (obtained by PrairieCare following offer) 

• High School Diploma required, some college preferred. 
• Six months work experience in a setting with Children, Adolescents, or Adults in a Human Services setting OR one year working with Children, Adolescents, or Adults in a Community Services or related setting
• Experience working with clients diagnosed with Mental Illness preferred
• Experience in day treatment, residential, or other mental healthcare setting strongly preferred
• Able to work evenings and weekends is required.
• Strong desire to work with children and adolescents with mental illness.
• Oriented and educated in gender, culture, and age appropriate mental health care
• Strong computer skills using Microsoft Office products including Word and Outlook
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Must demonstrate psychological mindedness and self-awareness in understanding client behavior and interventions including a willingness to utilize supervision and consultation regarding experiences and demands of residential counselor role
• Ability to smoothly and rapidly shift between dissimilar tasks
• Ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing
• Ability to react quickly and calmly as part of a team to handle volatile and potential emergency situations
• Ability to make effective decisions while in stressful situations and circumstances
• After training, be able to manage disruptive residents.

PrairieCare is a psychiatric healthcare system experiencing rapid growth in the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota. With multiple sites across the metro, including locations in Rochester and Mankato, PrairieCare has quickly grown to become one of Minnesota’s largest providers of mental health services to children, adolescents, adults, and their families.

PrairieCare does not discriminate against any person based on race, color, national origin, disability, or age in admissions, treatment, or participation in its programs, services, activities, or employment. PrairieCare is an Affirmative Action Employer/Equal Opportunity Employer supporting Veterans, Disabled, and other protected individuals and is committed to a diverse workforce.

PrairieCare is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity, including providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability.  Applicants with a physical or mental disability who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process please email hr@prairie-care.com for assistance.

Offers of employment from PrairieCare are conditional and contingent upon successful clearance of all background studies.