Lead Residential Counselor (Developmental Services)

About the role

Vinfen is a nonprofit organization providing community-based services to individuals with various disabilities and challenges. As a Lead Residential Counselor, you will play a crucial role in supporting individuals to become fully integrated into their communities and enhance their quality of life.

Responsibilities

• Aid individuals in accessing community-based support and resources.
• Plan and organize recreational and social activities to promote social inclusion and emotional well-being.
• Empower and support individuals to make choices, advocate for themselves, and participate in decision-making processes.
• Support individuals in securing, maintaining, and growing in work, volunteer, and community engagement opportunities.
• Assist individuals in becoming more independent, self-advocates, and defining their vision for living a good life.
• Facilitate partnerships between individuals and their families, ensuring they maintain strong relationships with staff and other interested parties.
• Provide administrative support to the Program Director, including scheduling staff assignments, training new staff, and overseeing clinical paperwork.
• Oversee shift management and clinical programming, and develop, implement, and document treatment plans including ISP/PSTPs and clinical programs.
• Train and support individuals in the home, covering rehabilitative interventions, behavioral interventions, fire & safety regulations, appointment scheduling, money management, ADLs, grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking, household chores, and use of assistive technology.
• Perform hands-on tasks as required to facilitate support plans.
• Provide transportation, as necessary.
• Assess the physical and emotional status of individuals in the home and report changes to supervisor.
• Monitor individual funds, as needed.
• Maintain records for individuals in the home.
• Collect behavior and academic data and maintain progress notes.
• Document all information related to incidents, programs, and routine activities in a communication log.
• Administer and document medication according to the Medication Administration Plan (MAP).
• Communicate with and provide information to interested parties such as program nurse, case managers, and Visiting Nurses Association.
• Participate in all mandated training and staff meetings as directed by the supervisor.
• Assist with the orientation of new staff.
• Ensure compliance with all internal and external regulatory policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure home safety and maintenance as necessary at all times.
• This includes general housekeeping, snow shoveling, and trash removal.
• Comply with all corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Complete various paperwork and logs including communication logs, community membership logs, and activity schedules.
• Provide shift coverage, as necessary in other homes/programs as assigned by supervisor.
• Ensure required shift staff-to-individual ratio is maintained at all times.
• Assist Program Director in securing shift coverage, when necessary.
• Function as a human rights advocate.
• Provide physical intervention and/or First Aid in the event of behavior or medical emergencies.
• Serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required; a bachelor's degree is preferred.
• One to two years of experience/training in a related field.
• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques.
• Knowledge and proven ability to promote family partnerships.
• Knowledge and proven ability to promote social inclusion in a way that supports individual choices.
• Knowledge and proven ability to promote ability to implement PBS treatment programs.
• Knowledge of participatory planning techniques.
• Knowledge of required physical personal management skills.
• Knowledge of required household management skills.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.

Skills

• Knowledge of administrative practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers, management, and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment.
• Ability to multi-task in a time-sensitive environment.
• Organizational skills.
• Demonstrate good judgment.
• Ability to problem-solve and make decisions in stressful situations.
• Ability to adapt and communicate to a variety of individuals through 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.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats.