Resident Counselor

Counselor / TherapistNo nightsFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Employment Type: Full time

Shift: Day Shift

Description

At MercyOne, health care is more than just a doctor’s visit or a place to go when you’re in need of medical attention. Our Mission is based on improving the health of our communities – that means not only when you are sick but keeping you well.

MercyOne Central Iowa sets the standard for personalized and radically convenient care in the Des Moines metro area and surrounding counties. MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1893, is the longest continually operating hospital in Des Moines and Iowa’s largest medical center, with 802 beds available. The hospital is one of the Midwest’s largest referral centers.

With more than 7,000 colleagues and a medical staff of almost 1,500 physicians and allied health professionals, MercyOne Central Iowa is one of Iowa’s largest employers.

Want to learn more about MercyOne Des Moines? Click here: Find a Location Des Moines, Iowa (IA), MercyOne Des Moines

Join the MercyOne Family! We are looking to hire a Residential Counselor.

What You'll Do

Establishes rapport and develops a therapeutic relationship with assigned clients. Consistently maintains and employs a therapeutic perspective/approach when dealing with clients, their children, visitors and staff. Maintains appropriate professional boundaries avoiding dual relationships.

Participates in the admission process for all adult halfway house/residential care program residents utilizing a warm, compassionate and empathic manner to ensure that they feel welcome, appreciated, and understood. Orients new residents to program guidelines and expectations.

Observes resident interactions, appropriately intervenes when behaviors are not consistent with expectations, and teaches/coaches/role models conflict resolution/problem-solving skills as a means for effectively managing differences.

Facilitates Life Skills groups teaching essential skills necessary for independent living. On a daily basis models and mentors residents and their children on basic living tasks.

Provides education and treatment supports in connection with identified clinical initiatives and interventions in the areas of: substance use disorders; daily living skills; parenting; self-sufficiency; behavioral/mental health; and, relationships.

Schedule: 40 hrs/week Day Shift

General Requirements

  • Heartsaver AED (Infant, Child and Adult) within four (4) months of hire.
  • Valid Driver’s/Chauffeurs License required, must meet Mercy’s Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, must be at least 18 years of age and be eligible to drive per Iowa state law.
  • Medication Management Certification to be completed within three (3) months of hire.

Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to population served within thirty (30) days of employment.

Education

  • A Bachelor’s degree in a human services related field from an accredited program, preferred.
  • CADC Certification, preferred.

Colleagues of MercyOne Health System enjoy competitive compensation with a full benefits package and opportunity for growth throughout the system!

Visit MercyOne Careers to learn more about the benefits, culture, and career development opportunities available to you at MercyOne Health System circle of care.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

Key Responsibilities

The Resident Counselor establishes therapeutic relationships with clients and facilitates life skills groups to support independent living. They also monitor resident behavior, provide education on clinical initiatives, and assist with the admission process.

Requirements

Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and must obtain certifications in AED, medication management, and mandatory reporter training. A valid driver's license and the ability to meet motor vehicle safety standards are also required.

Key Skills

Therapeutic relationship buildingLife skills coachingSubstance use disorder supportMental health supportCrisis interventionCase managementPatient orientationDocumentationMentoringParenting support

Residential Counseling — Counselor Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Iowa is 87.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 59.8% of Iowa clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 52% are remote, 32% have no call, 54% require no weekends.

What does the Counselor market look like in Iowa?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Cost of livingIowa index 87.8US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
All counselor listings in Iowa163 active13,300 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 52% remote · 32% no call · 54% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedIowa counselor listings (all specialties): 17% state a sign-on bonus (median $8k) · 11% offer loan repayment163 active listings, Nov 2026
Counselor pay trend (all specialties)−1.3% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page. Iowa figures use all counselors: too few Iowa Residential Counseling postings state pay.

Top Counselor Jobs

38 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

34 jobs · 31 employers
11
<$75k
7
$75k-100k
5
$100k-125k
8
$125k-150k
3
$150k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

32 jobs · 31 employers
401k / retirement match
84%
CME allowance
31%
Sign-on bonus
25%
Loan repayment
19%
PSLF eligible
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 5.1
Better work-life than 40% of Counseling listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 13,190 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No nights
Trinity Health logo

About Trinity Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Albany, NY
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive compensation
Full benefits package
Opportunity for growth