Assistant Counselor (Residential Via Avanta)

About Didi Hirsch

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and is home to the nation's first Suicide Prevention Center. We are a nonprofit organization providing care to nearly 200,000 people annually across our programs. Didi Hirsch has deep roots in community-based mental health and a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable.

As an organization, we value equity, diversity, and inclusion. More than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers make Didi Hirsch's work possible. We intentionally recruit and retain a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve and strive to cultivate a sense of belonging for them. We embrace employees and candidates from all backgrounds who want to help make this vision a reality.

Summary

In the Residential Department at the Pacoima site (a 24 hour a day / 7 day a week facility), an assistant counselor assists the professional counseling staff to provide comprehensive counseling and crisis intervention for clients in a residential facility for women and children.

Primary Duties

• Assists with client related residential services, responding to emergencies, maintaining safety and security of clients in the facility.
• Facilitates client activity groups for adults residing and/or being treated in Via Avanta programs.
• Assesses and monitors client daily activity schedule and, prepares then submits client participation reports to the Program Director and counseling staff.
• Provides and participates in crisis intervention, as well as facilitates conflict resolution among the program participants as needed.
• Participates in providing 24-hour coverage; which includes working evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Maintains accurate and complete documentation of client self-administered medication, and ensures compliance with Agency policies and procedures and County/other public agency regulations.
• Conducts phone referrals, performs intake screenings, as well as prepares and files client charts for the adult residential program.
• Assists with scheduling client transportation to appointments with other community support services.
• Conducts routine walk-through of program facility; notes problems and prepares a physical plant and client safety status report.
• Develops and maintains counseling skills through seminars, workshops, or other forms of training related to substance abuse prevention.
• Attends and participates in program and Agency staff meetings, and all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• The ability/flexibility to work varied hours including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Associates Degree in Human Services or related field; a minimum of 1 year experience preferred.
• Preferred AOD registered
• Knowledge of HIPAA policies and their documentation guidelines, licensing, and other state and federal regulations relating to residential psychiatric programs.
• Knowledge of residential mental health programming, psychiatric crisis intervention, documentation, group counseling, multicultural and socio-economic issues.
• Basic advocacy skills.
• Skilled in presenting ideas, information, and viewpoints clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience using Microsoft Office products, and all other clinical databases.
• Ability to use analysis, experience, and good judgement to make decisions.
• A willingness to adapt to changing needs by acquiring new skills and knowledge.
• First Aid, CPR certification required for all Residential counselors. Non-certified individuals hired into the position must be willing to complete certification course within 30 days of employment.
• Current California driver's license and a driving record acceptable to the Agency's insurance carrier.