Assistant Counselor

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services seeks an Assistant Counselor for the Via Avanta residential program in Pacoima, CA. This on-site role supports counseling staff, engages clients, and helps deliver crisis intervention and recovery services in a 24/7 setting.

You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team, facilitate activities, monitor safety, and help implement treatment plans while maintaining thorough documentation and compliance with HIPAA and agency policies.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 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.
• AOD registration is required; willing to complete within 30 days of employment and maintain active status.
• First Aid, CPR certification required; willing to obtain within 30 days and maintain active certifications.
• Knowledge of HIPAA policies and documentation guidelines, licensing, and other regulations relating to residential psychiatric programs.
• Knowledge of residential mental health programming, psychiatric crisis intervention, documentation, group counseling, multicultural and socio-economic issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and clinical databases.

Responsibilities

• 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 in Via Avanta programs.
• Assesses and monitors client daily activity schedule and prepares reports for the Program Director and staff.
• Provides crisis intervention and facilitates conflict resolution among program participants as needed.
• Participates in providing 24-hour coverage, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Maintains accurate documentation of client medication and ensures compliance with policies and regulations.
• Conducts intake screenings and files client charts for the adult residential program.
• Assists with scheduling client transportation to appointments with other support services.
• Conducts routine walk-throughs of program facility and prepares safety status reports.
• Develops counseling skills through seminars and training related to substance use prevention.
• Attends program and Agency staff meetings and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Documentation

Group counseling

Advocacy

Microsoft Office

Clinical databases

Education

Associates Degree in Human Services

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Clinical databases

Job description

Assistant Counselor (Residential Via Avanta)

This is an on-site position based in Pacoima, CA. The schedule is Wednesday through Sunday from 2:30p-11:00p PST.

The pay range for this position is between $22.00-$24.00 hourly.

Ask us about loan repayment programs you may qualify for by working at Didi Hirsch.

About Didi Hirsch

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and is home to the nation's first Suicide Prevention Center. We are a nonprofit organization providing care to about 290,000 people annually across our programs. Didi Hirsch has deep roots in community-based mental health and a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable. More than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers make Didi Hirsch's work possible

Summary

As an Assistant Counselor in the Residential Department at the Pacoima site, you will support professional counseling staff in delivering comprehensive counseling and crisis intervention to women and children in a 24/7 residential facility. You will assist in creating a safe and supportive environment by engaging directly with clients, facilitating therapeutic activities, and addressing immediate needs. Your role will involve providing emotional support, reinforcing treatment plans, and ensuring the well‑being of residents. Through hands‑on assistance and collaboration with the counseling team, you will help empower clients on their path to recovery and stability.

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 use prevention.
• Attends and participates in program and Agency staff meetings, and all other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• 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.
• AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) registration is required for all Residential Counselors. Individuals not yet registered must be willing to complete the required registration within 30 days of employment and maintain active and current status throughout employment.
• 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 and maintain certifications in active and current status throughout employment.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.
• Current California driver's license, car insurance, and a driving record acceptable to the Agency's insurance carrier.

Our Vision

A future where everyone has equitable access to care and is empowered to achieve optimal mental health and well‑being.

Our Mission

Didi Hirsch provides compassionate mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services to individuals and families, especially in communities where discrimination and injustice limit access.

CORE VALUES

• Excellence: We are constantly innovating, learning from the communities we serve, and applying the latest research to advance best practices. We uphold the highest ethical standards to ensure we are providing compassionate and excellent care.
• Diversity & Inclusion: We value diversity of background, experience, and ideas. We celebrate differences and prioritize creating a sense of belonging.
• Equity: We are dedicated to promoting health equity in our communities, and we work to dismantle disparities and discrimination within both systems of care and society.
• Well Being: We are devoted to the well‑being of our staff, volunteers, and communities, and believe healthy teams lead to healthy clients.
• Advocacy: We advocate across all levels of government and use our voice to reduce barriers to care with the goal of access to high quality, integrated healthcare for all.
• Community Engagement: We build partnerships in the community and across sectors to create a more inclusive and responsive mental health ecosystem and enhance greater accessibility to care and support.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.