Residential Counselor (Mental Health Services)

Vinfen • Lowell, MA

1d

About The Position

The Residential Counselor provides direct services in a GLE/SIE residential setting, helping Persons Served (PS) overcome barriers to independent living and prepare to live independently. The role implements assigned treatment-plan interventions, administers and documents medications in accordance with Medication Administration Program (MAP) requirements, provides crisis support when needed, and helps maintain a safe, comfortable, and clean residential environment.

The counselor uses recovery-oriented, person-centered, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, culturally competent, and strengths-based approaches. The position works with PS, families, neighbors, and Integrated Team members; encourages resident participation and social interaction; advocates for PS; and supports evidence-based practices. Duties also include documentation, staff orientation, training and meetings, quality-improvement work, and physical site maintenance.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong commitment to the right and ability of Persons Served to live and work, have meaningful relationships, and receive resources and supports in their community of choice.
• 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 in a professional and confidential capacity.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment.
• Valid driver's license presented at employment; must be at least 21, have held a valid U.S. driver's license for at least six months, and pass a driver's 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.
• Ability to perform physically active duties, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing; lift at least 25 pounds using proper technique or a two-person lift; assist Persons Served with tasks of daily living; and operate a computer and office equipment.
• Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways, bend, reach, file, stand, and move around the facility; remain stationary for 50% of the time as needed; and speak, hear, and communicate with Persons Served, staff, and external representatives.
• Specific vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Help orient Persons Served who are new to the residence.
• Collaborate with Integrated Team members to address the needs of Persons Served.
• 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, and other operational policies and procedures, including physical-site licensing standards and regulations.
• Store, administer, document, and dispose of medications in accordance with MAP requirements, applicable funding-source regulations, and company policy; ensure compliance with Vinfen MAP protocols and teach medication management to Persons Served.
• Create opportunities for Persons Served to participate in residence operations, including meal preparation and physical-site maintenance.
• Help Persons Served prepare meals.
• Encourage social interaction and a collaborative residential environment where Persons Served, families, friends, and others important to them are welcomed, respected, and valued; serve as a resource for neighbors.
• Advocate for Persons Served.
• Participate in trainings 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.

Benefits

• Fully funded 401(a) employer-sponsored retirement plan requiring no employee contribution, as well as 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