Residential Counselor (Developmental Disabilities)

Vinfen • Dracut, MA

9d

About The Position

The Residential Counselor provides individual and group support to people with developmental disabilities in a residential program. The role teaches skills that promote independence, self-advocacy, community participation, and quality of life, while supporting individuals’ choices and helping them pursue a good and meaningful life. The counselor helps maintain a safe, secure, and clean home and supports individuals in developing friendships, engaging with their communities, and strengthening family partnerships.

The position includes providing training and support in daily living, behavioral and rehabilitative interventions, money management, meal planning and cooking, household tasks, and use of community resources. The counselor documents services and progress, supports treatment plans, administers medications in accordance with applicable requirements and policy, communicates with families and professionals, and responds to emergencies. The role may involve transportation and providing shift coverage at other homes or programs.

Vinfen is a nonprofit health and human services organization established in 1977. It provides community-based services in Massachusetts and Connecticut and has 3,500 employees across more than 550 sites.

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.
• A valid driver’s license is required at employment, and the employee 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, which is 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.
• 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 assist clients with activities of daily living.
• Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.
• Required close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
• Knowledge of advocacy, empowerment, self-advocacy, communication styles, participatory planning, personal and household management, 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 individuals and communication styles.
• Ability to work professionally and confidentially.
• Motivation to learn and practice new skills, consistency in performance, and effective oral and written communication.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and demonstrated ability to promote family partnerships.
• Knowledge and demonstrated ability to promote social inclusion while supporting individual choices.
• Knowledge and demonstrated ability to implement PBS treatment programs.

Responsibilities

• Help individuals become integrated into their communities, access community-based resources, and develop and maintain friendships.
• Plan recreational and social activities that promote social 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.
• Encourage strong partnerships among individuals, their families, staff, and other involved parties.
• Provide training and support in rehabilitative and behavioral interventions, safety, appointments, money management, activities of daily living, shopping, meal planning and cooking, household chores, and use of generic resources.
• Perform hands-on tasks as 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 medications in accordance with MAP requirements, funding-source regulations, and company policy.
• Communicate with and provide information to interested parties, including program nurses, case managers, and Visiting Nurses Association staff.
• Attend mandated training and staff meetings as directed by the 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 corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Complete required paperwork and logs, including communication logs, community membership logs, and activity schedules.
• Provide shift coverage at other homes or programs as assigned by a supervisor.
• Act as a human rights advocate, provide physical intervention or first aid during behavioral or medical emergencies, and serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission.
• Assist in 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.
• 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.
• Health and dependent-care flexible spending reimbursement accounts.
• 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