Serving Hawaii's Most Vulnerable Since 1990

Youth Counselor

Job Summary: 

The primary responsibility of the youth counselor is to facilitate substance abuse treatment activities. The youth counselor is also responsible for the comfort, safety, and welfare of the client. The youth counselor promotes the recovery of the clients through the facilitation of recovery-related treatment activities such as task groups, chemical dependency education groups, educational video and discussion groups, life-skills groups, clean and sober recreational activities, and 12-step related activities. The youth counselor engages in one-to-one counseling with clients on an as-needed basis and reports these encounters with the appropriate Therapist. The youth counselor takes direction regarding therapeutic activities from the designated Shift Leader.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

Youth counselors routinely engage in the following Core Functions related to the Hawaii requirements for certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor: Orientation, Counseling, Crisis Intervention, Client Education, Report & Record Keeping, and Consultation with Other Professionals. To further assist staff who are interested in becoming Hawaii Certified Substance Abuse Counselors they are offered additional training in Screening, Assessment, Intake, Treatment Planning, Case Management, and Referral. They are also offered training opportunities in the co-facilitation process in group therapy. Whenever possible, training will be on-the-job. Staff will also be offered the opportunity to participate in unpaid training to increase their rate of exposure to the Core Functions not routinely covered in their day-to-day job duties

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Specific Duties/Responsibilities:

• Responsible for obtaining all necessary information from previous shift regarding client needs and concerns. Youth Counselor participates in shift change meeting with the shift leader of the previous shift. In shift change the Youth Counselor will receive all pertinent information regarding treatment activities and client concerns.

• Plan and facilitate treatment activities for clients including: task groups (i.e. relapse prevention group, anger management group, etc.), chemical dependency education sessions, educational video and discussion groups, life-skills groups, clean and sober recreational activities, and 12-step related activities.

• Engage in one-to-one counseling with clients on an as-needed basis and reports these encounters to the shift leader.

• Provide crisis intervention as needed.  Document events of crisis and outcome of intervention.

• Monitor clients in the milieu setting: In cabins, Recreational Outings, Leisure activities, School

• Process Group, Chemical Dependency Education, Relapse Prevention, Anger Management, Life Skill etc..

• Family, Probation Officer, Care Coordinator and other workers visitation

• Assist new clients with bedding, clothing check, room assignment and orientation to the program and facility. 

• Ensure that unauthorized visitors are redirected away from facility. 

• Report in writing any client infractions of rules or client progress in the communication logs. 

• Facilitate clients getting ready for bed or waking up in a.m.

• Provide next shift with all necessary information pertinent to client care (either directly or via input to the shift leader.

• Follow additional instructions regarding individual clients as provided by the primary treatment team.

• Rule Adherence - thoroughly knows and follows BBC policies and procedures without formal corrective action. 

• Meets timelines for required physicals, and TB clearance.

• Attends all required supervisions.

• Attends all required trainings.

• Complete all necessary documentation including all healthy charts before the end of the shift.

• Maintain current CPR and First AID certification.

• Provide ongoing supervision of clients both on and off premises.

• Complete all documentation as required by State and Federal regulatory laws.

• Communicate all client and/or agency concerns to appropriate personnel (i.e. Executive director, Clinical Director, Operations Manager, Shift Leader, Nurse, etc).

• Demonstrate self-evaluation skills and ability to seek supervision or guidance as needed. Take responsibility for remedying or reducing limitations that are impacting job performance.

• Willingly perform other duties as assigned.

• Meet credentialing and re-credentialing requirements.

• Consistently demonstrates commitment to the mission of BBC

• Follows instructions well                     

• On-time for work.             

• No unplanned absences except in the event of an emergency.    

• Cooperates with co-workers and supervisors.  Good team player, professional and will always do full share of work.

• Client Care – practices clear professional boundaries at all times.

• Clear understanding of client staff relationship

• Ability to not take things personal

• Display appropriate role model behavior 

• Supervises female clients in gender-specific functions such as obtaining urinalysis samples and strip searches. 

• Supervises Male clients in gender-specific functions such as obtaining urinalysis samples and strip searches. 

• Conduct cabin searches with minimum supervision.

• Monitors female clients during activities and times designated as needing gender-specific staffing such as transporting to appointments and during certain recreational outing

• Knowledge of Job – has comprehensive understanding of job, grasps details. 

• Able to practice all job tasks with minimum supervision.

• Problem Solving – does not complain or blame others, solution oriented, open to constructive criticism and self-improvement. 

 

Physical Requirements: 

Must be in good physical condition, able to participate in recreational activities and able to lift up to 50 pounds.

 

Education: 

High School Diploma/GED; Bachelor's degree preferred

 

Experience

One year prior experience working with adolescents preferred, but not required (Individual will learn as a result of on-the-job training)

Working knowledge of 12 step programs preferred

 

Other Requirements:

Valid Driver's License; with a clean driving abstract preferred

Must be have the ability to follow instructions and work with people in a friendly and caring manner

 

Hours:

0700 Shift Starts at 7:00 am ends 3:30 pm (includes 1/2 hour unpaid break)

1500 Shift Starts at 3:00 pm ends 11:30 pm (Includes 1/2 hour unpaid break)