Lead Residential Counselor

About Vinfen

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.

About the Role

The Lead Residential Counselor provides direct support to people with behavioral conditions as well as intellectual and developmental disabilities in a small group residential setting or an individual living arrangement. He or she works together with the people we serve, their families, friends, employers, and other support staff to transform their lives by either building independence skills or increasing each person's quality of life. The Lead Residential Counselor serves as an experienced resource in developing the overall quality of the program and the skills of the staff. He or she models skills for program staff and assists in ensuring that new staff are properly trained, on-boarded and welcomed into the program.

Responsibilities

• Assists in developing, implementing, and documenting treatment including ISP/IPs and clinical programs.
• Provides training and support to persons served, including rehabilitative interventions, behavioral interventions and monitoring, fire & safety regulations, appointment scheduling, money management, ADLs, grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking, household chores and other related areas.
• Performs hands-on tasks in the program, as required in order to facilitate implementation of support plans.
• Assists individuals in becoming fully integrated into their communities.
• Assists residents with community-based support and resource services.
• Plans recreational and social activities to promote the emotional well-being of persons served and improve quality of life, including holiday and birthday parties, celebrations, outings, community travel, church activities, decorating, shopping and other related activities.
• Provides transportation, as necessary.
• Assesses residents' physical and emotional status, and report changes to supervisor.
• Monitors residents' funds, as needed.
• Maintains records for persons served, collects behavior and academic data and maintains progress notes.
• Enters information into electronic health record.
• Documents all information related to incidents, programs, and routine activities in a communication log.
• Stores, administers, documents and disposes of medication for persons served consistent with MAC requirements, funding source regulations, and Company policy.
• Communicates with and provides information to interested parties such as program nurse, funding agency, case managers, other service providers, Visiting Nurses Association nurses, and physicians.
• Participates in all mandated training and staff meetings as directed by manager.
• Assists with the orientation of new staff.
• Ensures compliance with all internal and external regulatory bodies.
• Ensures program site safety and maintenance, as necessary at all times, including general housekeeping, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and garbage removal.
• Complies with all corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers' compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Completes various paperwork and logs and online data records including communication logs, community membership logs, chore schedules, timesheets, and application forms.
• Ensures required staff to consumer ratio is maintained at all times.
• Must perform last minute coverage, as required.
• Functions as human rights advocate.
• Provides physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of behavior or medical emergency.
• Serves as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission.
• Maintains required certifications, reviews and replies to work emails, and follows all Vinfen administrative policies.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Qualifications

Typical Requirements: A minimum of two years' experience in a Residential Counselor role. Demonstrated track record as an exceptional performer and team-player while in the Residential Counselor role.

Preferred/Required Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor's degree in related field preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Skills

• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment
• Ability to multi-task in a time sensitive environment
• Organizational skills
• Ability to adapt and communicate to a variety of individuals through the use of different communication styles
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues
• Participatory skills, collaborative skills, teaching skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
• High motivation to learn, practice new skills
• Consistency in performance
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of participatory planning techniques
• Knowledge of required physical personal management skills
• Knowledge of required household management skills
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Strong ability to learn and use online tools such as Microsoft Outlook and an electronic health record

Pay

USD $24.83 - USD $24.83 /Hr.