Residential Counselor (Developmental Disabilities)

Vinfen • Methuen, MA

1d

About The Position

Provide individual and group support to people with developmental disabilities in a residential program. The role teaches skills that promote independence, self-advocacy, and quality of life, supports people’s choices and meaningful participation in their communities, and helps maintain a safe, secure, and clean home. Counselors also support friendships, family engagement, community inclusion, employment and volunteer opportunities, and access to resources and assistive technology.

The position includes providing training and hands-on support with daily living, household management, community participation, behavioral and rehabilitative interventions, and personal goals. Counselors document services and progress, monitor individuals’ well-being and funds as needed, support medication administration under applicable requirements, communicate with families and professionals, and help ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory policies. The role may require transportation, shift coverage at other programs, and physical assistance with daily tasks.

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. The listed pay is $23.32 per hour.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent; in some cases, experience may substitute for academic training.
• One or more years of experience and/or training in a related function is encouraged.
• Valid driver’s license must be presented at employment; must be at least 21 years old, have held a valid U.S. driver’s license for at least six months, and pass a driver screening background check.
• If using a personal vehicle, 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.
• PBS Tier 1 certification required within 150 days of hire.
• Safety Care certification required within 90 days of hire.
• Knowledge and use of advocacy, empowerment, self-advocacy, and participatory planning techniques.
• Knowledge of communication styles, personal management skills, household management skills, and crisis intervention techniques.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues.
• Participatory, collaborative, and teaching skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to adapt communication to a variety of people and communication styles.
• Ability to work professionally and confidentially.
• Motivation to learn and practice new skills, with consistency in performance.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb; lift at least 25 pounds using proper techniques or a two-person lift; operate a computer and office equipment; sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
• Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living and to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.
• Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

• Proven ability to promote family partnerships.
• Proven ability to promote social inclusion in a way that supports individual choices.
• Proven ability to implement PBS treatment programs.

Responsibilities

• Help individuals become integrated into their communities and develop and maintain friendships.
• Help individuals access community-based supports and resources.
• Plan recreational and social activities that promote inclusion and emotional well-being.
• Support individuals in making choices, advocating for themselves, and participating in decisions about their supports and lives.
• Support access to assistive technology and adaptive equipment to improve communication, community access, and independence.
• Support individuals in obtaining and maintaining work, volunteer, and other community engagement opportunities.
• Promote strong partnerships among individuals, their families, staff, and other interested parties.
• Train and support individuals in rehabilitative and behavioral interventions, safety practices, appointment scheduling, money management, activities of daily living, shopping, meal planning and cooking, household chores, and use of community resources.
• Perform hands-on tasks needed to implement support plans.
• Provide transportation as necessary.
• Assess individuals’ physical and emotional status and report changes to a supervisor.
• Monitor individual funds as needed.
• Maintain individual records, collect behavioral and academic data, write progress notes, and document incidents, programs, and routine activities.
• Procure, store, administer, document, and dispose of medication according to MAP requirements, funding-source regulations, and company policy.
• Communicate and share information with relevant parties, including program nurses, case managers, and visiting nurses.
• Attend mandated training and staff meetings as directed by a supervisor.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external regulatory policies, procedures, and standards.
• Maintain home safety and upkeep, including housekeeping, snow shoveling, and trash removal.
• Follow company and divisional policies, including safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Complete paperwork and logs, including communication logs, community membership logs, and activity schedules.
• Provide shift coverage in other homes or programs when assigned by a supervisor.
• Act as a human rights advocate; provide physical intervention and/or first aid in emergencies; and serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission.
• Assist with developing, implementing, and documenting treatment, including ISP/PSTPs and clinical programs.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Benefits

• Fully funded 401(a) employer-sponsored retirement plan requiring no employee contribution, plus an employee-funded 403(b) plan.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans for employees scheduled to work 30 hours per week or more, 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 eligible 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 20 hours or more per week.

What This Job Offers

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