Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The Licensed Group Counselor provides individual and group psychotherapeutic services under the clinical supervision of an LCSW with clinical supervision certificate, or LPC with ACS credential, in accordance with current standards of practice, as developed by professional and licensing organizations, and defined and interpreted by the supervisor.

A day in the life of a Licensed Group Counselor at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

1. Provides therapeutic activities assessment and group counseling services to assigned patient groups. Groups are of a psychotherapeutic and psycho educational nature and include areas which assist patients in addressing treatment plan goals. Group areas include: mood and behavior stabilization, social and recreational skills, grief/loss, substance abuse/co-occurring, creative expressions, stress management, coping skills, trauma, and physical activities for mind/body/spirit.
2. Completes the Group Counselor Assessment of the patient within 48 hours of admission.
3. Provides a minimum of four therapeutic groups per day, an evening group one day per week, and weekend groups on assigned units.
4. May provide groups on other units as needed.
5. Understands and adheres to the organization's health and safety requirements.
6. Understands and adheres to all Hospital, Federal, State, and Joint Commission requirements.
7. Assesses the patient's learning needs, readiness and barriers to learning of patients and documents appropriately. Provides age appropriate learning opportunities (individual and group) and documents teaching, intervention, and outcomes appropriately. Provides educational materials that are specifically appropriate for the patient/family, considering age, educational level, culture and disability.
8. Takes the lead in unit preparations for holiday celebrations.
9. Provides information to the treatment team regarding the patient's participation/progress in conducted groups.
10. Develops a plan of care for the patient that reflects the assessed needs, strengths, preferences and goals, and stages in the recovery process. Attends multidisciplinary treatment plan conferences for assigned patients and works collaboratively with members of the treatment team to assess.
11. Completes documentation of patient's progress toward achieving goals in a weekly progress note, weekly treatment plan review or revision and transfer or discharge summary in the context of specific treatment objectives.
12. Participates in departmental meetings, unit meetings, in-services, and other meetings as requested.
13. Maintains current knowledge in their field of specialization by attending continuing educational programs/offerings.
14. Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
15. Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

1. Master's degree in Social Work or other related Mental Health Counseling field.
2. Minimum 1 year relevant experience in a healthcare setting.
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
4. Proficient computer skills that may include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

1. NJ Licensed Social Worker or Associate Counselor License.

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

1. NJ Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Professional Counselor License.
2. Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
3. Approved Clinical Supervisor.
4. Completion of Certification Course for Clinical Social Work Supervision and/or Approved Clinical
Supervisor (ACS) credential.

If you feel the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!