Residential Specialist

For over 60 years, CareLink Community Support Services has been dedicated to helping people with disabilities to live in the community with dignity and independence. Our rehabilitation services and professional staff provide the support that people with serious mental illness, physical disabilities and other developmental challenges need to be active, productive members of their communities.

Schedule

3rd shift, Tuesday – Saturday, 12 AM – 8 AM

Pay

$18.65 per hour

Responsibilities

• Assess the needs of the person in service initially for strengths and available resources.
• Participate in the development and implementation of service/recovery plans reflecting the individual’s preferences, goals, lifestyles, and interests.
• Assess, teach, evaluate, and supervise individual’s skills in daily living, meal planning, housekeeping, career needs, and social, recreational, and community activities.
• Complete written documentation daily that reflects the individual’s recovery and progress on their goals as well as staff interventions.
• Assist and oversee individuals with medication regimen, including PRN medications.
• Consistently engage in productive/therapeutic activities.
• Encourage and support individuals in developing positive relationships with family and significant others.
• Assist individuals through modeling, verbal teaching, and/or direct assistance with maintaining cleanliness and orderliness of their rooms and residence.
• Assist or prepare various foods for individual meals as required, ensuring dietary considerations are followed.
• Complete food shopping while considering dietary preferences/concerns.
• Locate and access community medical resources for individual needs as applicable and as instructed.
• Take regular responsibility in shift activities, including site trash removal, changing linens, making beds, cleaning bathrooms, and cleaning common areas (living room, kitchen, foyer, dining area, hallways).
• Maintain cleanliness of work areas, including assisting with maintenance of the kitchen, common areas, linen closets, medication storage areas, and staff office.
• Use appropriate communication channels.
• Respond appropriately to safety/emergency situations.
• Drive agency vehicles safely, following applicable traffic laws, to support individuals and/or the program.
• Provide consistent and positive feedback to participants regarding progress on their goals.
• Provide individuals with opportunities to make informed decisions and support them in those decisions.
• Actively uphold and advocate for individuals’ rights, serving as an advocate and encouraging proactive participation in rehabilitation.
• Use knowledge of basic recovery principles and rehabilitation methods in job performance.
• Ensure individuals participate in appropriate daily activities that promote recovery.
• Use person‑centered, non‑judgmental language in written documentation.
• Communicate with individuals using language that promotes respect, acceptance, and hope for recovery.
• Work creatively with people in recovery respecting cultural heritage, age, disability, religious or spiritual identification.
• Provide opportunities and support for individuals to find and express spiritual growth/well‑being.
• Monitor, assess, and report each individual’s need for additional or replacement clothing or personal items and notify the Program Supervisor.
• Educate, discuss, and encourage residents to address their daily and long‑term physical health.
• Assist individuals who are on smoking precautions to maintain safety.
• Encourage and assist individuals through modeling, verbal teaching, or direct assistance to engage in appropriate personal hygiene activities (dressing, tooth brushing, showering, toileting, etc.).
• Review emergency procedures with individuals on a regular basis.
• Assist and supervise individuals in planning, initiating, and participating in social and recreational activities based on their interests.
• Support individuals in accessing the community using agency or public transportation.
• Provide individuals with opportunities and supports to access community resources in achieving their goals.
• Regularly attend and actively participate in trainings to continuously expand and improve skills related to engaging, assessing, and supporting individuals in service.
• Adhere to agency/site policies and procedures and perform the job within professional standards.
• Perform occasional administrative activities such as filing, copying, compilation, and collation of paperwork.
• Complete paperwork/documentation as required.
• Follow instructions accurately and thoroughly while completing assigned tasks within expected time frames.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings with the goal of improving services.
• Attend and participate in ongoing supervision.
• Perform the job in a safe manner; report/address safety concerns and maintenance issues promptly.
• Monitor kitchen, housekeeping, and linen supplies for replacement and notify the Program Supervisor.
• Adhere to the dress code policy and site dress code procedures.
• Follow supervisor’s requests and demonstrate ability to take direction.
• Show initiative and good judgment.
• Work as scheduled to assure coverage.
• Project a positive attitude and image to individuals, family members, and outside contacts.
• Cooperate with other staff and exhibit a positive attitude toward the position and agency mission.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED (required); Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field (preferred).
• 2–3 years of work experience; specifically, two (2) years as a direct support professional in mental health services (required).
• Prior experience with individuals involved with the criminal justice system or substance‑use treatment (preferred).
• Relevant life experience working in the Human Services field (preferred).
• Valid driver’s license (required).
• CPR‑P/RPR‑P certification (preferred).
• Certified Peer Specialist (preferred).
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable in a fast‑paced environment with frequent deadlines; high energy, self‑motivated, and proactive.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multitask and be flexible with workload and assignments.
• Ability to exercise judgment and make sound decisions regarding health/welfare of participants.
• Knowledge of basic principles and methods of rehabilitation.
• Motivation, interest, and ability to work empathetically with people with disabilities.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles.
• Problem‑solving ability with effective solutions.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks effectively.
• Ability to take direction.
• Ability to prepare meals, perform general housekeeping, and maintenance duties.
• Willingness and ability to drive agency vehicle.