This position performs duties as a Milleu Specialist and is supervised by the Residential Rehabilitation Counselor 4. The Milleu Specialist will primarily work in the Pierce County Secure Community Transition Facility (PC-SCTF) High Acuity Program with residents with serious mental illness, developmental disabilities, cognitive disorders, and/or physical/medical conditions.

SCC employees also receive an additional $10 per day premium pay in addition to advertised salary and a free ORCA card for transportation use. Ferry transportation is provided to McNeil Island employees. Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.

Some of what you'll do:

• Participate as a member of the Treatment Team to understand the resident's treatment plan, current progress, and treatment approach in the milieu
• Conduct on-unit skills groups and engage with residents in the milieu space by participating in activities aimed at modeling and reinforcing prosocial behavior
• Provide weekly check-ins with residents on your caseload and report to Treatment Team any identified factors you believe would increase life satisfaction, improve social skills, and facilitate more adaptive coping for High Acuity residents
• Encourage residents to participate in groups and activities, taking a strengths-based, solutions-focused, and trauma-informed approach to increasing resident’s motivation to engage in programming and treatment
• Oversee activities and document participation
• Document behavior management reports, incident reports, witness statements, observation reports, and progress notes for all resident check-ins
• Work as a part of a team to problem solve resident’s concerns and questions
• Ensure accuracy of resident policy manuals that are distributed on the units
• Support resident movements between Program Areas for housing assignment requests
• Take day trips to Least Restrictive Alternative (LRA) placements in the community housing High Acuity residents to provide positive, prosocial interaction and continuity of care
• Accompany PC-SCTF residents on community trips
• Oversee a habilitative environment with a high degree of collaboration, interaction, and problem-solving through obstacles to successfully fulfilling activities of daily living within the habilitative milieus of both the TCF (Elm Unit) and the PC-SCTF (Cottage 1)

What we are looking for:

• Ability to respond appropriately and cope with aggressive behavior using appropriate and effective verbal de-escalation tactics
• Collaborative attitude and willingness to work on an interdisciplinary team
• Patience and optimism that resident progress and rehabilitation can be achieved over time
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of CPR and first responder level first aid
• Strong writing skills

Who should apply?

Professionals with a High School diploma or GED

AND

Three years of experience providing direct care to psychiatric patients, residents, or inmates in a residential, in-patient, and/or correctional mental health setting

OR

One year of experience as a supervisor/lead worker and two years of experience providing direct care to psychiatric patients, residents, or inmates in a residential, in-patient, and/or correctional mental health setting.

• This position requires obtaining the Affiliated Counselor Credential within six months of hire.