Awake Overnight Residential Counselor (Mental Health Services)

About the role

The Safe Haven Awake Overnight Counselor provides support to and engages Safe Haven residents in a welcoming and comfortable setting, designed as a safe, low-demand alternative to the streets or shelters for people with significant histories of homelessness and psychiatric conditions, sometimes with substance misuse. The role fosters a place of mutual respect, support, caring, and collaboration, where safety, health, and learning are paramount, and attaining permanent housing is the goal.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a culture of safety and welcome for residents of a Safe Haven transitional housing program.
• Maintain low-demand, no/low barrier philosophy and culture within Safe Haven.
• Develop and enhance trusting relationships with residents.
• Skillfully and gently engage residents to learn from them about the barriers they've faced to their goals.
• Encourage collaboration, mutual support, respect, and social interaction between residents.
• Encourage and help residents to assess their needs and wants, and develop person-centered Individualized Action Plan to address them.
• Consistently offer, but do not require, residents to accept support and treatment services.
• Provide skills training and support to residents.
• Provide transportation to residents, as necessary.
• Assess residents’ physical and emotional status, and report changes to Program Director.
• Maintain required records for residents, as assigned.
• Refer residents to community-based services for mental health, substance use, healthcare, income/benefits, housing, legal help, peer support, education, and job training.
• Store, administer, document, dispose, and arrange packaging of medication for clients.
• Help provide requested/required information to the Department of Mental Health on the process and outcomes of Safe Haven services for residents.
• Help orient new staff and residents.
• Participate in all mandated training and staff meetings.
• Help maintain a safe, comfortable and clean residence at all times. This may include general housekeeping, cooking, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and garbage removal.
• Support adherence to all regulations and requirements; including Vinfen’s Safe Haven policies and procedures, safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Access on-call and complete incident documentation, as needed.
• Provide physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of medical emergency.
• Serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission, if necessary.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.
• CPR is required within two weeks of hire.
• First Aid is required within two weeks of hire.
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division New Employee Training courses are required, excluding MAP Crisis Intervention/Staff Safety and Infectious Diseases are required within six months of hire.
• All applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a current, valid, US drivers' license for at least 6 months.
• Other trainings, as assigned.

Skills

• Strong commitments to the right and ability of clients to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the resources and supports needed in their community.
• Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with residents.
• Knowledge and use of engagement, empowerment, and advocacy techniques.
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles.
• Knowledge of participatory planning and consensus building techniques.
• Knowledge of trauma informed, person centered, and culturally competent services.
• Knowledge of required household management skills.
• Knowledge of psychiatric and medical medications.
• Knowledge of community resources available to clients including, but not limited to, medical and psychiatric care and substance use services.
• Knowledge of tenant rights, subsidies, and resources available for housing.
• Knowledge of safety and risk protocols.
• Knowledge of employment services and supports.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, trauma, and gender issues.
• Ability to demonstrate participatory, collaborative, and teaching skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.