DSHS Lakeland Attendant Counselor Manager

DSHS Lakeland Village, located in Medical Lake, Washington, is hiring for multiple Attendant Counselor Managers. In this role, you will lead a team that supports residents in a living area every day, ensuring care is safe, respectful, and consistent while providing staff with clear direction and support. This is a working supervisor role where you will coach staff, solve problems, and help the team follow care plans and safety practices. You will also provide hands-on support when needed, within the Nursing Assistant Certified scope, under clinical direction from nursing staff.

About the role

You will manage a designated living area on a 24-hour per day, seven days a week basis, supervising all Attendant Counselors assigned to the living area. You will ensure Attendant Counselors train, assist, care for, and participate with Residential Habilitation Center (RHC) clients both on and off campus, following clients to locations where training and activities most appropriately occur. Positions are within Laurel, Tamarack, and Shamrock cottages. Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.

Responsibilities

• Lead hiring, training, coaching, corrective action, and performance reviews for Attendant Counselor staff.
• Investigate concerns, respond to issues, and complete plans of correction when needed.
• Assign daily work, coordinate resident activities, and keep the living area running smoothly.
• Keep resident, staff, and unit records accurate to meet nursing facility, federal, state, and local rules.
• Observe staff performance and give clear direction so care is consistent and respectful.
• Provide and supervise hands-on care within the Nursing Assistant Certified scope, under clinical direction of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
• Support specialized services by helping staff carry out care needs like exercises, equipment use, modified diets, and nurse-delegated tasks.
• Watch for changes in a resident’s condition, respond quickly, and take action to protect residents from abuse and neglect.
• Complete auditing work for health, safety, and compliance, and address problems early.
• Communicate clearly with relatives and guardians about policies, procedures, and expectations.

Requirements

Applicants must currently be a Nursing Assistant Certified in Washington State and meet one of the following:

• High School Diploma/GED and four years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities.
• High School Diploma/GED and four years of experience as an Attendant Counselor 1.
• Meet professional qualifications for Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP).

Skills

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for:

• Leadership: Set clear expectations, follow through, and model respectful support. Build trust with staff through coaching, feedback, and fair follow-up.
• Behavior support approach: Use approved methods to guide staff through challenging situations safely.
• Teamwork: Partner well with an interdisciplinary team to carry out support plans and daily care.
• Problem-solving: Stay calm, set priorities, and choose the safest next step when plans change.
• Clear communication: Write and speak in a way that helps people understand what to do and why.
• Training and scheduling: Keep staffing, schedules, and training on track so services are consistent.
• Trusted judgment: Make decisions that protect residents, support staff, and keep services steady.

A background check including criminal record history may be conducted prior to hire. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license and liability insurance if using a privately owned vehicle.