Title of Position: Paraprofessional Counselor - Seasonal

Location: Normandie Village

Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-Exempt

Union/ Non-Union: Union

Supervisor: Residential Manager

Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center, located in Los Angeles, is a non-profit organization that provides an array of comprehensive mental health services for Children, Adolescents, Transitional Aged Youth, and Adults suffering from mental illness in the Greater Los Angeles area. The organization consists of a standalone fifty-five (55) )-bed hospital and six outlying outpatient facilities that have anywhere from fourteen (14) beds to one hundred and thirty-four (134) beds. The organization has approximately four hundred (400) employees.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Monitors safety and security of the Gateways Adult Residential facility by conducting regular rounds, and property searches. Monitors client behavior and reports all relevant information to the next shift. Conducts drug and alcohol screening of the clients. Assists staff with answering telephones, signing clients in and out of the facility, assists with client meals, and initiating and investigating disciplinary action.

ESSENTIALS DUTIES

• Maintains communication with team members throughout the shift to assure that all tasks are covered, and offers assistance where needed.
• Collects same sex urine specimens for drug testing. Completes all assigned testing, and collects suspect samples as necessary.
• Monitors client sign in and out procedures.
• Responds to incoming calls on evenings and weekends.
• Receives and stocks food and supplies.
• Conducts random security checks of premises and cottages at least hourly with security guard.
• Reports safety hazards, maintenance and housekeeping needs to the Residential Manager.
• Observes and records resident’s behavior and activities, monitors hygiene in Program Daybooks. Reports any unusual or concerning behavior to the appropriate staff members via the Popsheet.
• Supervises and monitors client activities throughout the facility.
• Monitors and ensures that clients take prescribed psychotropic medications, and that medications are accurately recorded.
• A monitor for completion of client’s assigned house jobs.
• Initiates Incident Reports and Rule Violations when appropriate. Participates in the delivery and investigation of Incident Reports and Rule Violations.
• Responds appropriately to emergency or problematic situations; i.e. enacts on-call notification procedure, notifies immediate supervisor, staff, administration, police, fire department, ambulance and paramedics as appropriate.
• Assists in situational crisis intervention as needed.
• Provides a good role model for residents in terms of reliability, social skills, professionalism, tact, leadership, grooming and integrity.
• Performs other additional tasks as directed.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Ability to work and relate effectively with multidisciplinary treatment team, clients and the public.
• Ability to assess patients for dangerousness and intervene in a timely, calm and appropriate manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently, use good judgment, and remain calm in crisis situations.
• Proven ability to work with adult clients.
• Ability to operate selected equipment (i.e. breathalyzer).
• Ability to use word processing and spreadsheet computer programs.
• Ability to work various hours and shifts.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors (i.e. security rounds and transportation of supplies).
• Ability to be objective, stable and firm with clients who have a history of criminal behavior and who have psychiatric disabilities.
• Ability to accept direction from supervisors and complete assigned tasks.
• Ability to appropriately provide direction to clients
• Crisis intervention techniques and basic counseling skills.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATES

• High School Diploma

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) year experience in mental health, social services, counseling, security, or substance abuse treatment.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and Community Care Licensing (CCL) background clearance.
• Valid California Driver’s license.
• TB clearance.
• Driving record acceptable for coverage by Gateways insurance carrier.
• Fire and Safety Training*.
• First Aid Training Certification*.
• CPR Certification*.
• Crisis Prevention Institute Training (CPI)**

• Note: If indicated certifications/licenses are lacking, they must be obtained within 180 days of hire.

**Training needs to be completed within 30 days from the date of hire on a designated date provided by onboarding. Staff need to be certified at the commensurate level for their role to perform their job duties (staff will be taken off the schedule if certification is not achieved).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• To perform this job you must be able to carry out all essential functions successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the job.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move unassisted up to 25 pounds.