Counselor Technician (53017)

WestCare; United States; On-site; USD 33,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

WestCare is seeking a Counselor Technician to supervise and support program participants, ensuring safety and adherence to WestCare policies. You will help with incident de-escalation, intake, and daily operations within a secure, supportive environment.

This role requires a HS diploma and at least one year of related experience, with strong communication and teamwork. The position involves flexible scheduling and potential transport duties as needed.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in a comparable position.
• Two or more years in a behavioural health environment preferred.
• Ability to form and maintain professional relationships with staff, volunteers and participants.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise program participants under the direction of the Program Director or designee.
• Facilitate mentoring, discipline, safety and observation of participants.
• Utilize crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate situations and ensure safety.
• Implement the behavioral/level system where applicable.
• Assist with initial assessment and intake of new participants.
• Participate in 24/7 coverage with flexible scheduling and on-time attendance.
• Transport participants to school or medical appointments if authorized.
• Monitor participant whereabouts and ensure proper paperwork for leaving WestCare property.
• Assist in recreational activities and keep the facility clean and functional.
• Ensure medication is processed on admission and administered on time.
• Align with WestCare’s mission and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Crisis intervention

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Position Summary:

The Counselor Technician supervises and provides daily support to assigned program participants. This position is tasked with ensuring the safety of all program participants and ensuring compliance with WestCare policies and procedures. Essential Job Functions include those listed below.

Essential Job Functions:

• Supervises program participants under the direction of the Program Director or designee, reporting unusual changes as they occur;
• Facilitates mentoring, discipline, safety, and observation of participants;
• Utilizes approved crisis intervention techniques to assist with de-escalation of situations, ensuring program participant, staff, and visitor safety;
• Implements the behavioral/level system where applicable;
• Assists with the initial assessment and receiving of new program participants;
• Participates in 24/7 coverage by working a flexible schedule, properly tracking hours worked, and consistently arriving to scheduled shifts on time;
• Transports participants to school or medical appointments as required (if authorized);
• Monitors participant whereabouts to be sure they remain on WestCare property, or have appropriate paperwork needed to leave WestCare property;
• Assists in the implementation of recreational activities for program participants, participating where appropriate;
• Ensures the facility is kept clean and in working order;
• Ensures participant medication is processed upon admission and given on time, in accordance with WestCare procedures;
• Embraces and embodies the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation;
• Performs any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licensures:

• Valid driver’s license and the ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required.

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

Experience and Competencies:

• One (1) year of experience in a comparable position is required;
• Two (2) or more years working in a behavioural health environment is preferred;
• Experience working with individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders preferred;
• Ability to form and maintain effective, professional, and positive relationships with staff, volunteers, and program participants required;
• Ability to work well, both individually and as part of a team required;
• Adherence to the highest standards of ethical conduct required;
• Ability to exercise good judgement and discretion required;
• Ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor required;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required;

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an indoor or emergency shelter setting;
• Occasional outdoor work and travel between multiple locations may be required;
• Regular and prompt attendance is required throughout employment;

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).
• Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

M ental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions.
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• Required the ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.