Paraprofessional Counselor

Location: Normandie Village • Non-Exempt • Union

About the role

The Paraprofessional Counselor is part of a multi-disciplinary team providing support, supervision, and residential services to adults ages 18–59 diagnosed with chronic and persistent mental health disorders. Responsibilities include monitoring and reporting clients’ behaviors and activities, addressing facility or security concerns, and supporting clients in treatment compliance, House Rules adherence, and progress toward discharge goals.

Responsibilities

• Maintains communication with team members throughout the shift to ensure all tasks are covered and offers assistance where needed.
• Facilitates client transportation as needed.
• Adheres to client/visitor sign-in/out procedures, contraband protocols, and rounds protocols, including accurate completion of all required documentation.
• Responds to incoming calls on evenings and weekends.
• Conducts random security checks of premises and buildings at least hourly throughout shift.
• Conducts client rounds per designated timeframes (e.g., hourly, Q30 minutes, 1:1), adheres to monitoring protocols, and accurately completes all rounds documentation.
• Assists with weekly room checks for clients as directed by the Supervisor and accurately completes and submits all required documentation.
• Reports safety hazards, maintenance, and housekeeping needs to the Residential Manager.
• Observes and records clients’ behavior and activities throughout the facility; documents observations via shift summary and reports during shift exchange.
• Participates in shift exchange when on shift.
• Immediately reports any unusual or concerning behaviors or activities to their supervisor or designated supervisor.
• Prompts clients to complete activities of daily living (ADLs), including hygiene/grooming, laundering clothing, and changing linen on a regular basis.
• Prompts clients to comply with schedules for medications, meals, groups, and other appointments/activities.
• Monitors and supports clients in taking prescribed psychotropic medications; ensures emergency medications are accurately recorded when taken by residents.
• Takes, records, and reports client vital signs (e.g., body temperature, blood pressure) when needed.
• Participates and assists in the investigation of events requiring submission of regulatory agency reports (e.g., CCL, DMH, DSH) or internal agency reporting to QI/EOC/HR.
• Responds appropriately to emergency or problematic situations (e.g., enacts on-call notification procedure or notifies immediate supervisor, staff, administration, police, fire department, ambulance, and paramedics as appropriate).
• Provides behavioral interventions to clients when needed, including crisis intervention and verbal de-escalation techniques (e.g., CPI).
• Collaborates with the team to encourage clients to engage in treatment, comply with House Rules, and establish goals for discharge.
• Conducts themselves as a good role model for clients, consistent with Gateways’ rules of conduct.
• Participates in Paraprofessional Counselor meetings, in-service trainings, 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.
• Participates in all required trainings, including trainings on use of equipment (e.g., AED, vital signs monitors, panic alarm).
• Performs other additional tasks, within the employee’s scope of practice, as directed.