Assistant Counselor

Candidates needed for a full-time rotating day/evening shift position (including weekends and holidays)

Schedule: 2:30pm-11pm Friday - Tuesday

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.