Residential Counselor (Mental Health Services)

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a culture of safety and welcome for residents.
• Maintain low demand, no/low barrier philosophy and culture within Safe Haven.
• Develop and enhance trusting relationships with residents.
• Engage residents to learn from them about the barriers they’ve faced to their goals.
• Encourage collaboration, mutual support, respect, and social interaction between residents.
• Encourage and help residents to assess their needs and wants and develop person-centered Individualized Action Plan to address them.
• Offer, but do not require, residents to accept support and treatment services.
• Provide skills training and support to residents.
• Provide transportation to residents, as necessary.
• Assess residents’ physical and emotional status, and report changes to Program Director.
• Maintain required records for residents, as assigned.
• Refer residents to community-based services for mental health, substance use, healthcare, income/benefits, housing, legal help, peer support, education, and job training.
• Store, administer, document, dispose, and arrange packaging of medication for clients.
• Provide support and training to clients to help them manage their medications as needed.
• Help provide requested/required information to the Department of Mental Health on the process and outcomes of Safe Haven services for residents.
• Help orient new staff and residents.
• Participate in all mandated training and staff meetings.
• Help maintain a safe, comfortable, and clean residence at all times.
• This may include general housekeeping, cooking, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and garbage removal.
• Support adherence to all regulations and requirements; including Vinfen’s Safe Haven policies and procedures, safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Access on-call and complete incident documentation, as needed.
• Provide physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of medical emergency.
• Serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission, if necessary.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Qualifications

• Typical Requirements: Applicants with one or more years of experience and/or training in a related field will be given preference for employment.
• Preferred /Required Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor’s degree preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.
• 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 Safe Haven Residential Counselor - PRD 3 record which is 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 must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.
• 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.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.