Residential Counselor (Developmental Disabilities)

Vinfen • Randolph, MA

3d

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 enhance independence, self-advocacy, and quality of life; supports people in making choices and directing their services; and helps them participate in their communities, build friendships, and maintain family partnerships. The counselor helps ensure the home is safe, secure, and clean. Although a primary work location is assigned, coverage at other sites may be required to meet operational, scheduling, and staffing needs.

The position supports community participation, social and recreational activities, employment and volunteer opportunities, and access to community resources, assistive technology, and adaptive equipment. It provides training and assistance with daily living, behavioral and rehabilitative interventions, appointments, money management, shopping, meal planning and cooking, household tasks, and other supports. Duties also include transportation, monitoring individuals’ physical and emotional status and funds, maintaining records and progress notes, administering medication in accordance with applicable requirements and policy, communicating with involved professionals and interested parties, and assisting with treatment planning and documentation.

The counselor participates in required training and staff meetings, follows regulatory and organizational policies, maintains home safety and upkeep, provides coverage in other homes or programs as assigned, and may act as a human rights advocate and reporter to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission. The position may require physical intervention or First Aid during behavioral or medical emergencies.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent; in some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.
• One or more years of experience and/or training in a related function is encouraged.
• Valid driver's license 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.
• 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.
• 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 tasks of daily living.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
• 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 and use of advocacy, empowerment, self-advocacy, and participatory planning techniques.
• Knowledge of communication styles, physical personal management, 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, adapt communication to a variety of individuals, and work professionally and confidentially.
• Motivation to learn and practice new skills, consistency in performance, and effective oral and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in becoming integrated into their communities, accessing community-based resources, and developing and maintaining friendships.
• Plan recreational and social activities that promote social inclusion and emotional well-being.
• Empower individuals to make choices, advocate for themselves, and participate in decisions about their supports and lives.
• Support access to assistive technology and adaptive equipment to augment communication and independence.
• Support individuals in securing and maintaining work, volunteer, and other community engagement opportunities.
• Encourage strong partnerships among individuals, their families, staff, and other interested parties.
• Provide training and support in rehabilitative and behavioral interventions, fire and safety, appointments, money management, activities of daily living, shopping, meal planning, cooking, household chores, and use of community 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 records, collect behavior and academic data, write progress notes, and document incidents, programs, and routine activities.
• Procure, store, administer, document, and dispose of medication in accordance with MAP requirements, funding source regulations, and company policy.
• Communicate with and provide information to program nurses, case managers, the Visiting Nurses Association, and other interested parties.
• Attend mandated training and staff meetings as directed by the supervisor.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external 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 in other homes or programs as assigned by a supervisor.
• Function as a human rights advocate, provide physical intervention and/or First Aid during 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.
• 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 at least 20 hours per week.

What This Job Offers

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