Residential Counselor

Vinfen • Manchester, CT

2d • $22 - $22

About The Position

The Residential Counselor is responsible for overnight program activities in a community living arrangement. The role provides individual and group support to people served, teaches skills that promote independence and quality of life, and helps ensure a safe, secure, and clean residential environment.

The counselor supports treatment planning and implementation, provides rehabilitative and behavioral interventions, assists with daily living and household activities, and helps residents participate in their communities. The position also involves monitoring residents’ physical and emotional status, maintaining records and electronic health records, administering medications in accordance with applicable requirements and policy, communicating with service providers and interested parties, and helping maintain program safety and staffing coverage.

This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. One year of related experience and/or training is preferred. Driving is required, and the employee must meet the stated licensing, age, insurance, and screening conditions. CPR, First Aid, and Safety Care certifications are required within two weeks of hire. The work is physically active and includes assisting clients with daily living tasks and lifting at least 25 pounds using proper techniques or a two-person lift.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• A valid driver’s license must be presented at employment; incumbents 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.
• Driving is required using either a Vinfen van or a personal vehicle. Personal-vehicle drivers must maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record, subject to annual checks.
• CPR certification is required within two weeks of hire.
• First Aid certification is required within two weeks of hire.
• Safety Care certification is required within two weeks of hire.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb.
• 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 sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
• Ability to assist clients with tasks 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 the ability to adjust focus.
• Knowledge of advocacy techniques, communication styles, empowerment and self-advocacy techniques, participatory planning, physical 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 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; monitor residents; and assist with fire and safety regulations, appointments, money management, activities of daily living, shopping, meal planning and cooking, and household chores.
• Perform hands-on tasks in the program as needed to implement support plans.
• Help residents integrate into their communities and access community-based supports and resources.
• Plan recreational and social activities, including celebrations, outings, community travel, church activities, decorating, and shopping.
• 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, maintain progress notes, enter information into the electronic health record, and document incidents, programs, and routine activities in a communication log.
• Store, administer, document, and dispose of medication consistent with MAC requirements, funding-source regulations, and company policy.
• Communicate with and provide information to program nurses, funding agencies, case managers, other service providers, visiting nurses, and physicians.
• Participate in mandated training and staff meetings; assist with new-staff orientation; and ensure compliance with regulatory bodies.
• 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 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.
• Act as a human rights advocate; provide physical intervention and/or first aid during behavioral or medical emergencies; and serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission.
• 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 eligible employees scheduled to work 30 hours per week or more, with an employer contribution toward medical insurance.
• Employer-paid life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid short-term disability insurance for employees who qualify.
• 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