PARAPROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

Description

Title of Position:         Paraprofessional Counselor 

Location:                     Percy 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 Percy Village facility by conducting regular rounds, and property searches.  Monitors client behavior and reports all relevant information to the next shift.  Assists staff with answering telephones, signing clients in and out of the facility, assists with client meals, and initiating and investigating disciplinary action. Also performs other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIALS DUTIES

• Maintains communication with team members throughout the shift to assure that all tasks are covered, and offers assistance where needed.
• Provides client transportation, as needed.
• Monitors client sign in and out procedures.
• Responds to incoming calls on evenings and weekends.  
• Conducts random security checks of premises and buildings at least hourly throughout shift.
• Conducts random security checks of premises at least hourly.
• Reports safety hazards, maintenance and housekeeping needs to the Residential Manager. 
• Observes and records resident’s behavior and activities, monitors hygiene on Program forms, prompting clients to engage in ADLs as necessary.  Reports any unusual or concerning behavior to the appropriate staff members via the shift summary.  
• Supervises and monitors client activities throughout the facility. 
• Monitors and ensures that clients take prescribed psychotropic medications, also that emergency medications are accurately recorded if dispensed to resident. 
• Initiates Incident Reports when appropriate.  Participates in the delivery and investigation of Incident Reports. 
• 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.
• Participates in Paraprofessional counselor meetings, in-service training, and other meetings as scheduled.
• Assists the treatment team in arranging emergency transportation for psychiatric and medical emergencies.
• Maintains an objective, professional relationship with clients at all times
   

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Ability to work and relate effectively with multidisciplinary treatment team, clients and the public.
• Ability to assess clients for dangerousness and intervene in a timely, calm and appropriate manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and inwriting.
• Ability to work independently, use good judgment, and remaincalm in crisis situations.
• Proven ability to work with adult clients.
• Ability to use word processing and spreadsheet computerprograms.
• Ability to work various hours and shifts.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors (i.e. security rounds andtransportation of supplies).
• Ability to be objective, stable and firm with clients who havepsychiatric disabilities
• Ability to accept direction from supervisors and complete assignedtasks.
• Ability to appropriately provide direction to clients
• Crisis intervention techniques and basic counseling skills.
• Able to dispense emergency medications to residents as needed

Qualifications

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATES

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

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma

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.