Awake Overnight Residential Counselor

Vinfen • Watertown, MA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for overnight program activities in a community living arrangement. The counselor provides individual and group support to persons served, teaches skills to enhance independence and quality of life, and helps ensure a safe, secure, and clean residential environment.

The role includes implementing treatment and clinical programs, maintaining records and progress notes, supporting people with activities of daily living, monitoring physical and emotional needs, and administering medications in accordance with applicable requirements and company policy. The counselor also helps maintain the program site, supports staff orientation and training, maintains required staffing ratios, provides transportation as necessary, and responds to behavioral or medical emergencies. The employee must remain awake, alert, and dressed throughout the entire shift.

Vinfen is a nonprofit health and human services organization established in 1977. It provides community-based services and advocacy to people with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. The organization has 3,500 employees and operates at more than 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Requirements

• Three months to one year of experience in a related function.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license presented at employment; at least 21 years of age; at least six months of holding a valid U.S. driver’s license; and ability to pass a driver screening background check.
• If using a personal vehicle, maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record, subject to annual checks.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb, sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
• Ability to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or a two-person lift.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
• Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living.
• Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.
• Required vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• CPR certification required within two weeks of hire.
• First Aid certification required within two weeks of hire.
• MAP certification required within 150 days of hire.
• PBS Tier 1 certification required within 150 days of hire.
• Safety Care certification required within 90 days of hire.
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles.
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques.
• Knowledge of participatory planning techniques.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
• Teaching skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues.
• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques.
• Knowledge of required physical personal management skills.
• Knowledge of required household management skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing treatment programs, including ISP/PSTPs and clinical programs, and may participate in treatment planning.
• Maintain records for persons served; collect behavior and academic data; maintain progress notes; and document incidents, programs, and routine activities in a communication log.
• Train and support persons served in activities of daily living, including showering, personal hygiene, dressing, and household chores.
• Conduct fire and safety training for persons served and document it in the training log.
• Monitor physical and emotional needs and report changes to a supervisor.
• Store, administer, document, and dispose of medication consistent with MAP requirements, funding-source regulations, and company policy.
• Participate in mandated training and staff meetings as directed by the Site Manager; assist with orientation of new staff; and ensure compliance with internal and external regulatory requirements.
• Comply with corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Perform hands-on program tasks as needed to implement support plans and maintain site safety and maintenance, including housekeeping, snow shoveling, and garbage removal.
• Provide transportation as necessary.
• Ensure required staff-to-person-served ratios are maintained at all times and provide last-minute coverage as required.
• Provide physical intervention and/or first aid during behavioral or medical emergencies and serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission.
• Remain awake, alert, and dressed throughout the entire shift.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Benefits

• Fully funded 401(a) employer-sponsored retirement plan with no employee contribution required, as well as an employee-funded 403(b) plan.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans for employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week, with an employer contribution toward medical insurance.
• Employer-paid life, accidental death and dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid short-term disability insurance for qualifying employees.
• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts for health and dependent care.
• Voluntary term life, whole life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Paid time off for employees scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED