Paraprofessional Counselor - Sat - Wed, Night Shift

GATEWAYS HOSPITAL & MENTAL HEALTH CENTER • Los Angeles, CA

12d • $24 - $25 • Onsite

About The Position

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, and supports clients in engaging in treatment, following House Rules, and progressing toward discharge to lower levels of care.

The schedule is Saturday through Wednesday, 12:00 AM–8:00 AM. A night-shift differential is added to the hourly rate. The position is based at Percy Village in Los Angeles and reports to the Residential Manager. Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center is a nonprofit organization serving people with mental illness in the Greater Los Angeles area through a hospital and outpatient facilities.

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.
• Proven 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 and driving record acceptable for coverage by Gateways’ insurance carrier.
• TB clearance.

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

• Maintain communication with team members throughout the shift and offer assistance as needed.
• Facilitate client transportation as needed, including assisting the treatment team with 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 throughout the shift.
• Conduct client rounds according to designated timeframes and monitoring protocols, and accurately 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 when on shift and immediately report unusual or concerning behavior or activities to a supervisor.
• Prompt clients to complete activities of daily living, including hygiene and grooming, laundry, and regular linen changes.
• 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 agency or internal agency reports.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies and problematic situations, including notifying supervisors or contacting emergency responders as appropriate.
• Provide behavioral interventions, including crisis intervention and verbal de-escalation techniques.
• Collaborate with the team to encourage treatment engagement, compliance with House Rules, and discharge goal-setting.
• Model conduct consistent with Gateways’ rules of conduct and maintain objective, professional relationships with clients.
• Attend Paraprofessional Counselor meetings, in-service trainings, other scheduled meetings, and required equipment training.
• Perform other tasks within the employee’s scope of practice as directed.

Benefits

• 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision premiums 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED