Residential Counselor -PT 16 Hours Friday and Saturday 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM -DBT

Scope of Service

The DBT Residential Counselor position supports our Young Adults receiving services through Continuum’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program. Position assists individuals with daily personal routines including providing prompts for daily living skills, skill-building activities, and active participation in groups, community engagement, and recreational activities. Provides companionship to residents and establishes a trusting and professional relationship.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Establishes rapport and positive working relationships with clients while maintaining professional ethics and boundaries.
• Provides coaching to practice coping strategies and the use of alternative more adaptive behaviors.
• Solves daily problems related to community living, medical conditions and interpersonal relationships.
• Supports daily living and self-care skills including at minimum, medication compliance, self-management of mental illness symptoms, the use of transportation, planning and preparation of nutritious meals, personal grooming, management of financial resources, shopping, use of leisure time, interpersonal communication and problem-solving.
• Facilitates connections to natural community supports and mentors.
• Encourages the development of self-advocacy skills and assists with accessing self-help and advocacy resources.
• Encourages the practice of recovery skills used to prevent relapse and manage symptom cycles.
• Develops and maintains positive social relationships to ensure independent participation in social, interpersonal or community activities and to achieve full community reintegration.
• Provides transportation to and from appointments as identified.
• Conducts regular apartment/room inspections and assists the clients in maintaining the cleanliness of their living spaces which may require hands-on assistance.
• Counsels, monitors and documents the self-administration of client medications.
• Attends mandatory weekly DBT consultation meetings.
• Attends and participates in monthly staff meetings, clinical rounds, AllTreater meetings and supervision.

Environmental Responsibilities

• Maintains a clean, well-organized work environment.
• Ensures all program egresses and walkways are clear to support workplace safety.
• Notifies supervisor of maintenance and/or safety issues and generates work orders as needed.
• Conducts and participates in fire and emergency evacuation drills and reviews the emergency preparedness plan as outlined in agency policy.
• Participates in Food Bank activities as assigned.

Quality Assurance

• Adheres to policies and practices as outlined in the staff handbook and program operations manual.
• Works in a respectful, constructive, and cooperative manner.
• Upholds all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and secures all necessary releases of information for outside communication.
• Models culturally competent behavior interacting with clients, providers, family, and fellow staff.
• Maintains accurate electronic records and case files as assigned and in accordance with programing, contractual, licensing and accreditation requirements.
• Adheres to the standards of the Council on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
• Participates in agency committee work when available or as permitted.
• Completes all trainings as required per program contract and agency policy.
• Attends agency sponsored inservices, outside trainings, conferences and meetings to facilitate continued professional growth and ensure the quality of case management practices.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A High School Diploma or equivalent considered with a minimum of one (1) year experience in related healthcare field.
• Licensed CNA or other related healthcare certification accepted in lieu of experience.
• Prior experience facilitating group work required.
• Prior experience working with people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and/or addiction.
• Knowledge of the community support system and resources preferred.
• Valid Connecticut Driver’s license with clean driving record is required.
• Scattered site and non-24 hr. program positions require the employee to maintain reliable transportation and be willing to transport clients in personal vehicles.
• DBT skills training is provided upon hiring. The completion of this training is mandatory for any staff wishing to work in the DBT program.
• CPR/First Aid certification offered as part of orientation. Employee responsible to maintain ongoing certification.
• Proficient computer skills required, including Microsoft Office and electronic record keeping.

Company Benefits Include

• Competitive Wages
• 401(k) with company match up to 3.5%
• Medical, Dental, and Vision FSA and Dependent Care Accounts
• Company-Sponsored Employee Assistance Program
• Company-Sponsored Life, AD&D and LTD Colonial Supplemental Insurance
• Vacation, PTO & Sick time for eligible FT 40 & PT (2039 hour) Employees
• Connecticut Paid Sick Time for all employees up to 40 hours a year
• 12 Company Holidays Paid at Double Time (hourly employees)