Residential Counselor FT (68961)

About the Organization

Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas empowers self-reliance and inspires hope. As a church without walls, we provide personalized housing, ministry, health, and human services that benefit vulnerable individuals, their families, and the community. Founded in 1896 in Baltimore, MD, we are one of the first affiliates of Volunteers of America—one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations. Through a dedicated team of over 850 employees and thousands of volunteers, we serve thousands of people annually across Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the Carolinas.

About the Role

Reporting to the group homes’ Residential Coordinator and under the clinical supervision of the Rehabilitation Director, the Residential Counselor provides direct services that promote clients' ability to participate in community activities and develop independent living skills. This role includes assessing rehabilitation needs, developing and implementing individualized rehabilitation plans, providing crisis services, and transporting clients. The Residential Counselor may also deliver basic health teaching in areas such as nutrition, exercise, and communicable disease prevention.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the assessment of clients' rehabilitative service needs and the development, implementation, and monitoring of individual rehabilitation plans.
• Coordinates and delivers rehabilitation and support services addressing individual client goals, including self-care, socialization, independent living, community awareness, mobility, and money management.
• Provides basic supervision in home-like environments for individuals with varying levels of mental illness.
• Promotes community integration and communicates client progress with program staff.
• Documents service delivery and prepares daily billing statements as directed.
• Monitors client self-administration of prescribed medication (when privileged), ensures safe storage, and educates clients on medication management.
• Provides basic health teaching in areas such as nutrition, exercise, dental care, substance abuse prevention, injury and illness prevention, and communicable disease prevention (when privileged).
• Ensures assigned vehicles are maintained appropriately and transports clients as needed.
• Collects and records data, monitors resident and program documentation, and ensures compliance with VOAC policies and procedures.
• Participates in discharge planning and follow-along services when appropriate.
• Attends staff meetings, training, and program meetings as required.
• Maintains homes in an inspection-ready state and reports problems to the Residential Coordinator.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself and/or equipment.
• Physical ability to travel, stand, sit, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, grasp, climb, talk, see, and hear.
• Ability to move and lift objects up to 30 pounds, such as computers, monitors, and files.
• Operate office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.
• Ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods.
• Perform basic and light home maintenance activities.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED plus at least two years of experience in a mental health residential setting and/or social service-related field. Related post-high school education may be considered.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or Registered Nurse licensure with at least one year of experience providing rehabilitative services or working with persons with chronic mental illness is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, etc.).
• Bilingual in any language is a plus.