Residential Counselor

Vinfen • New Britain, CT

3d

About The Position

Responsible for overnight program activities in a community living arrangement. Provides individual and group support to persons served and teaches skills that enhance independence and quality of life, while maintaining a safe, secure, and clean residential environment. The primary work location is assigned, but flexibility to cover other sites may be required to support operational, scheduling, and staffing needs.

The Residential Counselor supports and documents treatment and individualized plans, delivers rehabilitative and behavioral interventions, helps residents develop daily living and community-integration skills, and maintains records in an electronic health record. The role also involves medication administration and documentation, transportation when necessary, communication with families and service providers, staff training participation, site upkeep, and ensuring required staffing ratios and regulatory compliance.

This is a physically active position requiring assistance with clients’ daily living tasks and the ability to perform a range of movements and lift at least 25 pounds. Pay is $22.05 per hour.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• A 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's screening background check.
• Driving is required using either a Vinfen van or a personal vehicle. Personal-vehicle users 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.
• MAC follows Connecticut guidelines.
• Safety Care certification required within two weeks 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 operate a computer and office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
• Ability to assist clients with activities of daily living.
• Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.
• Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Knowledge and use of advocacy, communication, empowerment, self-advocacy, and participatory planning techniques.
• Knowledge of required physical personal-management and 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 learn and use online tools such as Microsoft Outlook and an electronic health record.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of experience and/or training in a related function is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing, implementing, and documenting treatment, including ISP/IPs and clinical programs.
• Provide training and support, including rehabilitative and behavioral interventions, safety practices, appointment scheduling, money management, activities of daily living, shopping, meal planning and cooking, and household chores; perform hands-on tasks as needed to implement support plans.
• Support individuals’ integration into their communities and connect residents with community-based support and resources.
• Plan recreational and social activities to promote emotional well-being and quality of life, including celebrations, outings, community travel, and other activities.
• Provide transportation as necessary.
• Assess residents’ physical and emotional status and report changes to a supervisor.
• Monitor residents’ funds as needed.
• Maintain records, collect behavior and academic data, write progress notes, enter information into the electronic health record, and document incidents, programs, and routine activities.
• Store, administer, document, and dispose of medication in accordance with MAC requirements, funding-source regulations, and company policy.
• Communicate and share information with program nurses, funding agencies, case managers, other service providers, Visiting Nurses Association nurses, and physicians.
• Attend mandated training and staff meetings, assist with new-staff orientation, and ensure compliance with internal and external regulatory requirements.
• Maintain program-site safety and upkeep, including housekeeping, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and garbage removal.
• Comply with corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Complete required paperwork, logs, and online records, including communication logs, community membership logs, chore schedules, timesheets, and application forms.
• Ensure required staff-to-consumer ratios are maintained and provide last-minute coverage as required.
• Serve as a human rights advocate and reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission; provide physical intervention and/or first aid during behavioral or medical emergencies.
• Maintain required certifications, review and respond to work emails, and follow administrative policies.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Benefits

• Fully funded 401(a) employer-sponsored retirement plan requiring no employee contribution and 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 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 20 hours or more per week.

What This Job Offers

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