Adult Residential Assistant

About the Role

The Adult Residential Assistant maintains a therapeutic and safe treatment environment for patients, demonstrating healthy communication, ethics, and boundaries. This role represents Fora Health professionally and supports the organization's mission through teamwork and supervision.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the therapeutic environment:
  • Establish helping relationships with patients characterized by respect, warmth, sincerity, empathy, and kindness.
  • Role model healthy communication and behavior using non-violent/non-aggressive methods, verbal de-escalation, and appropriate boundaries.
  • Document incidents/observations in Shift Notes and communicate concerns or positive outcomes with staff.
  • Follow medication administration policy and record medication administration as directed.
  • Assist patients in following program rules and provide therapeutic interventions where indicated.
  • Transport and supervise patients during outings off Fora property.
  • Conduct rounds inside and outside the building.
  • Perform UA’s and patient searches, including rooms, belongings, and person.
  • Monitor the whereabouts of all patients at all times.
  • Maintain the safety and integrity of the building and participate in emergency drills.
  • Support patient engagement in treatment and recovery, including addressing cultural identity, ethnic background, age, and gender.
• Greet the public and answer the phone:
  • Greet guests professionally and direct them appropriately.
  • Answer phones, direct calls, and take messages while adhering to confidentiality laws and policies.
  • Distribute messages to staff and patients in a timely manner.
• Perform clerical duties:
  • Complete Incident Reports when indicated.
  • Maintain inventory of patient documents and replenish copies as needed.
  • Log incidents or observations in Shift Notes.
  • Perform tasks within the Electronic Health Record as needed.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned, including special projects and other duties.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Proficiency with a computer.
• Basic knowledge of substance-use disorders, mental health disorders, and trauma-informed care.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and ensure patient safety at all times.
• Strong communication skills with patients and staff.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to safely administer medication using an Electronic Health Record.
• Professional and courteous demeanor with patients, staff, visitors, and callers.
• Ability to de-escalate crisis situations calmly and respectfully.
• Reliability in attendance, punctuality, and adherence to agency policies (e.g., call-in policy, PTO requests).
• For employees with a history of substance use disorder, certification of a minimum of two years of sobriety is required.
• Ability to pass pre-employment or for-cause drug tests and a DHS criminal background check.
• Regular availability via cell phone to respond to internal and external contacts.

Working Conditions

• Primarily indoor office environment with infrequent travel between sites or to special events.
• Requires some overtime, including evening and weekend work; schedule adjustments may be necessary.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases (e.g., tuberculosis, Hepatitis A/B/C, HIV).
• Possible exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized, disabled, or emotionally disturbed adults and families.
• Shift work may include day, swing, and graveyard hours.
• Exposure to potentially hazardous cleaning chemicals (PPE provided).
• Fast-paced, high-volume work environment.

Physical Demands

• 35% of time standing.
• 35% of time walking (e.g., to meetings, groups).
• 30% of time sitting (e.g., computer work, attending meetings).
• Lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds of office and patient supplies.
• Climbing stairs several times per day (elevator available).
• Handling, reaching, stooping, and crouching (e.g., searching patient rooms, organizing supplies).
• Speaking and hearing for communication with staff, patients, and outside parties.
• Visual acuity to identify people and read computer screens, medication bottles, etc.
• Cleaning up biohazard material (PPE provided).