Residential Counselor

About the role

The Residential Counselor provides supportive counseling to assist residents in achieving individual long and short-term goals and objectives, and crisis intervention as required by individual residents.

Responsibilities

• Work with an assigned caseload of residents to provide support services.
• Implement individual service plans to assist residents in attaining rehabilitation goals.
• Maintain, develop and document accurate case records, regular progress notes and individual service plan summaries for each resident.
• Offer instruction and service delivery in any of 11 different service categories through role modeling, guidance, assistance, and support.
• Manage crises within the residence and intervene appropriately to minimize risk of potential harm to residents, staff, and damage to property.
• Notify appropriate supervisor and document events on the appropriate forms.
• Order, supervise, and count medication in accordance with Licensed Housing Medication Policy and Procedures, where applicable.
• Provide counseling to clients/residents as required.
• Lead recreational, counseling, and other rehabilitation groups.
• Escort clients in the community to medical, benefit, or other pertinent appointments.
• Cookordinator and participate in community activities.
• Maintain the environment of the facility safely and securely, monitor video surveillance cameras and conduct hourly building walk-throughs to assess the physical environment, and ensure the well-being of residents.
• Document significant building activities and events in the Communication Logbook.
• Perform light maintenance and housekeeping skills, such as picking up or emptying garbage, mopping up spills, shoveling snow, etc.
• Ensure all resident visitors provide identification and sign in the Visitor Log.
• Conduct monthly fire drills.
• Assess and respond to resident situations, including the utilization of de-escalation techniques.
• Report crises, untoward incidents, and emergencies immediately to the clinical staff on call and document such events in the program log, incident reports, and on appropriate forms in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate client case records, including writing progress notes and creating service plans, when needed, and as promulgated in PCMH Policies and Procedures.
• Conduct apartment inspections and provide support to clients with regard to daily living skills.
• Participate in residential staff meetings.
• Remain on site until relief staff arrive.

Qualifications

• Microsoft Office
• Foothold
• CPR/First Aid (must obtain Certification within 6 month of employment and maintain throughout duration of employment.)

Skills and abilities

• Strong customer services skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to residents
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively manage time
• Good judgment
• Ability to appropriately assess and respond to situations, including ability to de-escalate residents
• Ability to remain calm and focused in emergency situations
• Ability to work effectively with others and demonstrate conflict resolution skills

Education and experience

• A High School Diploma or equivalent is required, college degree or 2 years of college in a mental health field desired.
• Minimum two years’ experience working as a counselor in a residential, mental health or related setting. Education may be substituted for some experience.