Residential Counselor, Crisis Response

Northern Rivers Family of Services•City of Albany, NY

19h•$24 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

The Residential Counselor works onsite in the Crisis Residence at Albany-Academy Healy House in Albany, New York, supporting youth experiencing mental health and behavioral health crises. As part of a multidisciplinary team, the counselor builds positive relationships with youth and provides daily care, skill building, and crisis support to promote safety, stability, and recovery. The role reports to the Residential Supervisor and may involve travel of up to 25%. A valid, clean New York State driver’s license is required. The position includes three responsibility levels. RC1 provides for clients’ physical and psychological needs, follows individual 1:1 expectations, ICMP, and safety plans, engages youth in developmentally appropriate activities, documents each shift, learns youth-specific histories and crisis-management needs, obtains relevant training, and transports youth for essential appointments. RC1 also works within a trauma-informed framework, completes required training, demonstrates basic competency in TCI techniques, follows program routines and plans, collaborates with the team, communicates respectfully with internal and external contacts, and maintains required documentation. RC2 performs the RC1 duties and additionally facilitates groups and coached visitation using appropriate curricula and practice models, takes leadership responsibilities for a dorm or cottage, coordinates activities, participates in program-wide committees, takes a lead role within a team, and builds positive relationships with more challenging youth and families. RC3 performs the duties of RC1 and RC2 and additionally applies critical thinking and sound judgment to program needs and routines, and leads, delegates, and plans work for other team members.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Experience working with an emotionally disturbed population.
Valid, clean driver’s license; the position description specifies a New York State license.
Must pass a physical.
Must be able to complete TCI training.
RC2: At least six months of related experience and demonstrated competency in Level 1 essential job duties.
RC3: At least one year of related experience and demonstrated competency in Level 2 essential job responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

RC1: Experience working with an emotionally disturbed population is preferred.
RC2: One year of related experience is desired.
RC3: Two or more years of related experience are desired.

Responsibilities

Provide for clients’ physical and psychological needs, including safety, hygiene, clothing, food, cooking, medical care, and a reliable, nurturing environment.
Follow each 1:1 youth’s expectations plan, ICMP, and applicable safety plans.
Engage youth in age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate activities and conversation.
Write a summary of each shift.
Learn the history and specific needs of youth receiving 1:1 support and learn to manage crises safely.
Seek and obtain training specific to the needs of youth receiving 1:1 support.
Transport 1:1 clients and other clients for medical, mental health, and other essential needs.
Use a trauma-informed approach, including coping and safety plans, consistency, regular routines, and self-regulation when responding to youth.
Build positive relationships with youth, including youth and families who may present greater challenges.
Complete mandatory training and demonstrate basic competency in TCI techniques.
Follow program routines, youth therapeutic plans, rules, and protocols.
Work collaboratively with residential counselors, clinicians, on-call staff, supervisors, and administrative and functional support staff.
Communicate respectfully and appropriately with internal and external contacts, including county workers, medical staff, and parents.
Complete and maintain documentation in accordance with programmatic and regulatory standards.
Facilitate groups and coached visitation, applying relevant curriculum and practice models.
Take leadership responsibilities for a dorm or cottage, coordinate activities, participate in program-wide committees, and take a lead role on a team.
Apply critical thinking, problem-solving, sound judgment, and decision-making to residential program needs and routines.
Lead, delegate, and plan work for other team members.