Residential Counselor (Brain Injury)

About the role

Vinfen is a nonprofit organization providing community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. We promote recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination for the people we serve.

Responsibilities

• Assists individuals in the home in becoming fully integrated into their communities, and develop and maintain friendships.
• Affords assistance to individuals in accessing community-based support and resources.
• Plans recreational and social activities that promote social inclusion and the emotional well-being of individuals in support of living a good life.
• Empowers and supports individuals in the home to make choices, be a self-advocate, and be fully involved in making decisions in determining the directions of their supports and lives.
• Supports individuals in the home with access to assistive technology and adaptive equipment as a means to augment communication, access their communities, and generally live more independently.
• Supports individuals in securing, maintaining and growing in work, volunteer, and other community engagement opportunities.
• Supports individuals in the home to be more independent, be self-advocates, and make choices that define the direction and their vision for living a good life.
• Encourages and supports individuals and their involved families in maintaining strong partnerships with staff and other interested parties.
• Provides training and support to individuals in the home. This includes rehabilitative interventions, behavioral interventions and monitoring, fire & safety regulations, appointment scheduling, money management, ADLs, grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking, household chores, use of generic resources, and other related areas.
• Performs hands-on tasks in the program, as required in order to facilitate implementation of support plans.
• Provides transportation, as necessary.
• Assesses the physical and emotional status of individuals in the home and reports changes to supervisor.
• Maintains records for individuals in the home.
• Collects behavior and academic data and maintains progress notes.
• Documents all information related to incidents, programs, and routine activities in a communication log.
• Procures, stores, administers, documents, and disposes of medication for individuals consistent with MAP requirements, funding source regulations, and Company policy.
• Communicates with and provides information to interested parties such as program nurse, case managers, and Visiting Nurses Association.
• Participates in all mandated training and staff meetings as directed by the supervisor.
• Ensures compliance with all internal and external regulatory policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensures home safety and maintenance as necessary at all times. This includes general housekeeping, snow shoveling, and trash 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 including communication logs, community membership logs, and activity schedules.
• Provides shift coverage, as necessary in other homes/programs as assigned by supervisor.
• Serves as a 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.
• Assists in developing, implementing, and documenting treatment, including ISP/PSTPs and clinical programs.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Qualifications

• Typical Requirements: Candidates with one or more years of experience and/or training in a related function are encouraged to apply.
• Preferred /Required Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Driving Requirements: Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment.
• Physical Effort: Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of 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 by this job 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, MAP required within 150 days of hire, PBS Tier 1 required within 150 days of hire, Safety Care required within 90 days of hire. May be asked to obtain CBIS certification (Certified Brain Injury Specialist).