Paraprofessional Counselor - NOC Shift
About The Position
Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center is a Los Angeles nonprofit providing mental health services to children, adolescents, transitional-aged youth, and adults. The organization operates a 55-bed standalone hospital and six outpatient facilities and has approximately 400 employees. The Paraprofessional Counselor is part of a multidisciplinary team providing support, supervision, and residential services to adults ages 18–59 with chronic and persistent mental health disorders. The role monitors and reports client behavior and activities, facility issues, and security concerns; supports clients’ participation in treatment and compliance with House Rules; and helps clients make progress toward discharge to lower levels of care. The position is based at Gateways Hospital’s Crisis Residential Treatment Program in Los Angeles and works the overnight NOC shift, Wednesday through Sunday, from 12:00 AM to 8:00 AM. The position is non-exempt and union-represented, and reports to the Residential Manager.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- One year of experience in mental health, social services, customer service, or another rehabilitative, recreational, or educational role is preferred but not required.
- Ability to work and relate effectively with a multidisciplinary treatment team, clients, and the public.
- Ability to identify clients in distress and intervene in a timely, calm, and appropriate manner.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing.
- Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, and remain calm in crisis situations.
- Demonstrated ability to work with adult clients.
- Ability to use word-processing and spreadsheet computer programs.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries, follow policies and procedures, and reinforce facility House Rules and treatment expectations.
- Ability to accept supervisor direction and complete assigned tasks.
- Ability to appropriately provide direction to clients.
- Ability to implement crisis intervention techniques and basic counseling skills.
- Pass Department of Justice, FBI, and Community Care Licensing background clearances.
- Valid California driver’s license.
- TB clearance.
- Driving record acceptable for coverage by Gateways’ insurance carrier.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences or a related area.
- One year of experience in mental health, social services, customer service, or another rehabilitative, recreational, or educational role.
Responsibilities
- Communicate with team members throughout the shift to ensure tasks are covered and provide assistance as needed.
- Facilitate client transportation as needed, including helping arrange emergency transportation for psychiatric and medical emergencies.
- Follow client and visitor sign-in and sign-out, contraband, and rounds protocols, and complete required documentation accurately.
- Respond to incoming calls on evenings and weekends.
- Conduct random security checks of premises and buildings at least hourly.
- Conduct client rounds according to designated timeframes and monitoring protocols, and complete rounds documentation.
- Assist with weekly client room checks as directed by the Supervisor and submit required documentation.
- Report safety hazards and maintenance or housekeeping needs to the Residential Manager.
- Observe and record client behavior and activities, document observations in shift summaries, and report them during shift exchange.
- Participate in shift exchange and promptly report unusual or concerning behavior or activities to a supervisor.
- Prompt clients to complete activities of daily living, including hygiene and grooming, laundry, and changing linens.
- Prompt clients to follow schedules for medications, meals, groups, appointments, and other activities.
- Monitor and support clients taking prescribed psychotropic medications and accurately record emergency medications taken by residents.
- Take, record, and report client vital signs when needed.
- Participate in investigations of events requiring regulatory or internal agency reporting.
- Respond appropriately to emergencies and problematic situations, including notifying supervisors or contacting emergency services as appropriate.
- Provide behavioral interventions, including crisis intervention and verbal de-escalation techniques such as CPI, when needed.
- Collaborate with the team to encourage treatment engagement, compliance with House Rules, and establishment of discharge goals.
- Model conduct consistent with Gateways’ rules of conduct and maintain objective, professional relationships with clients.
- Attend Paraprofessional Counselor meetings, in-service trainings, and other scheduled meetings.
- Complete required training, including training on equipment such as AEDs, vital signs monitors, and panic alarms.
- Perform other tasks within the employee’s scope of practice as directed.
Benefits
- 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums covered for full-time employees and one dependent
- 8 paid holidays and 4 personal holidays per calendar year
- 2 weeks of vacation
- 403(b) retirement plan with an 8% company match
- Annual company events
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
