Residential Counselor (Mental Health Services)

Vinfen•Marstons Mills, MA

About The Position

The Residential Counselor provides direct services in a GLE/SIE residential setting to help Persons Served (PS) overcome barriers to independent living and prepare to live independently. The role implements treatment-plan interventions assigned by the Team LPHA Clinician, administers medications under Medication Administration Program (MAP) policies and procedures, provides crisis support when needed, and helps maintain a safe, comfortable, and clean residence. The counselor uses recovery-oriented, person-centered, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, culturally competent, and strengths-based approaches. The position includes supporting residents with daily living activities, medication management, meals, social interaction, advocacy, and participation in the operation of the home. The counselor also collaborates with team members, supports a welcoming environment for residents and their networks, completes required documentation, attends trainings and meetings, and contributes to program quality improvement. Vinfen is a nonprofit health and human services organization established in 1977. It provides community-based services in Massachusetts and Connecticut and employs approximately 3,500 people across more than 550 sites.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
A valid driver's license must be presented at employment.
At least 21 years of age and a valid U.S. driver's license held for at least six months.
Must pass a driver's screening background check.
If using a personal vehicle, must maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record, subject to annual checks.
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.
Ability to establish supportive, trusting relationships with Persons Served, families, and neighbors.
Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues.
Ability to balance competing priorities and make independent judgments and decisions.
Ability to work professionally and confidentially.
Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment.
Ability to perform physically active duties, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, sitting, reaching, using stairs, and maneuvering 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 remain in a stationary position for up to 50% of the time as needed.
Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with Persons Served, staff, and external representatives.
Required visual abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in a human services discipline.
One to two years of job-specific experience in the human services field.
Bilingual/bicultural background.
Lived experience of psychiatric conditions.

Responsibilities

Orient Persons Served who are new to the residence.
Collaborate with Integrated Team members to address the needs of Persons Served and implement treatment-plan interventions as directed by the Team LPHA Clinician.
Perform day-to-day assignments as directed by the Program Director.
Use recovery-oriented, person-centered, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, culturally competent, and strengths-based approaches.
Follow safety, maintenance, Human Rights, operational, and site-licensing policies and requirements.
Store, administer, document, and dispose of medication in accordance with MAP requirements, funding-source regulations, and company policies; support program compliance with Vinfen MAP protocols.
Teach Persons Served medication management.
Create opportunities for Persons Served to participate in residence operations, including meal preparation and physical-site maintenance.
Encourage social interaction and help create a collaborative environment in which Persons Served, families, friends, and others important to them are welcome, respected, and valued; serve as a resource for neighbors.
Help Persons Served prepare meals and with tasks of daily living.
Advocate for Persons Served.
Participate in training and attend supervision and staff meetings as requested.
Assist with orientation of new staff.
Complete required documentation and incident documentation as needed.
Contribute to program quality-improvement goals and objectives.
Help Persons Served use crisis-intervention techniques when necessary and access on-call backup when needed.
Support evidence-based and best practices, including Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Housing First, Stages of Change, Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP), Seeking Safety, and Cognitive Behavioral interventions.
Perform physical-site maintenance according to the maintenance schedule.
Perform other related duties as assigned.