Residential Counselor

Residential Counselors provide direct support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in small group residential settings or individual living arrangements. They collaborate with the people served, their families, friends, employers, and other support staff to transform lives by building independence skills or increasing quality of life.

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, fire & safety regulations, appointment scheduling, money management, ADLs, grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking, household chores, and related areas.
• Performs hands-on tasks to facilitate implementation of support plans.
• Assists individuals in becoming fully integrated into their communities and with community-based support and resource services.
• Plans recreational and social activities to promote emotional well-being and improve quality of life, including holiday and birthday parties, celebrations, outings, community travel, church activities, decorating, and shopping.
• Provides transportation as necessary.
• Assesses residents’ physical and emotional status and reports 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 records and documents incidents, programs, and routine activities in a communication log.
• Stores, administers, documents, and disposes of medication consistent with MAC requirements, funding source regulations, and company policy.
• Communicates with program nurses, funding agencies, case managers, service providers, Visiting Nurses Association nurses, and physicians.
• Participates in mandated training and staff meetings.
• Assists with the orientation of new staff.
• Ensures compliance with internal and external regulatory bodies and program site safety and maintenance, including general housekeeping, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and garbage removal.
• Complies with corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Completes paperwork, 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 and performs last-minute coverage as required.
• Functions as a human rights advocate.
• Provides physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of a 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 administrative policies.

Skills

• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques.
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles.
• 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.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues.
• Participatory, collaborative, and teaching skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to learn and use online tools such as Microsoft Outlook and an electronic health record.

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 provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Qualifications

• At least one year of experience and/or training in a related function is preferred.
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Driving Requirements

• Driving is required using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle.
• If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record, subject to annual checks.
• A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment.
• Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least six months, and pass a driver's screening background check.

Physical Effort

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb as this is a physically active position.
• Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or a two-person lift.
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
• Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
• Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living.
• Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Required Certifications

• CPR required within two weeks of hire.
• First Aid required within two weeks of hire.
• Medication Administration Certification (MAC) following CT guidelines.
• Safety Care required within two weeks of hire.

Pay

USD $22.05 per hour.