Residential Counselor (Brain Injury)

Vinfen • Dracut, MA

1d

About The Position

The Residential Counselor provides individual and group support to people diagnosed with brain injuries who live in a residential program. The role teaches skills that promote independence, self-advocacy, community participation, and quality of life while maintaining a safe, secure, and clean home. The counselor supports individuals in making choices, developing friendships, strengthening family partnerships, and accessing community resources and opportunities.

The position provides training and practical support in areas such as rehabilitative and behavioral interventions, activities of daily living, money management, meal planning and cooking, household chores, appointments, and use of community resources. It also includes transportation, monitoring individuals’ physical and emotional status, maintaining records and progress notes, administering medications in accordance with applicable requirements, communicating with involved professionals, and supporting treatment plans. The counselor may provide shift coverage at other programs and respond to behavioral or medical emergencies.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One or more years of experience and/or training in a related function is encouraged.
• Valid driver's license presented at hire; 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.
• 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, and to assist clients with activities 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 perception and adjusting focus.
• 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.
• Knowledge and use of advocacy, empowerment, self-advocacy, participatory planning, crisis intervention, personal management, and household management 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 adapt communication to different individuals, work professionally and confidentially, learn and practice new skills, perform consistently, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

• May be asked to obtain Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) certification.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in becoming integrated into their communities, accessing community-based resources, developing and maintaining friendships, and participating in work, volunteer, and other community activities.
• Plan recreational and social activities that promote 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, community access, and independence.
• Encourage strong partnerships between individuals, their families, staff, and other interested parties.
• Provide training and support in rehabilitative and behavioral interventions, fire and safety regulations, appointment scheduling, money management, activities of daily living, grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking, household chores, and use of community resources.
• Perform hands-on tasks as needed to implement support plans and provide transportation when necessary.
• Assess individuals’ physical and emotional status and report changes to a supervisor.
• Monitor individual funds as needed and maintain records, behavior and academic data, progress notes, incident documentation, communication logs, and other required paperwork.
• Procure, store, administer, document, and dispose of medication in accordance with MAP requirements, funding-source regulations, and company policy.
• Communicate with interested parties, including program nurses, case managers, and visiting nurses.
• Participate in required training and staff meetings and comply with regulatory standards and company policies.
• Maintain home safety and upkeep, including general housekeeping, snow shoveling, and trash removal.
• Provide shift coverage in other homes or programs when assigned.
• Act as a human rights advocate, provide physical intervention or first aid in emergencies, and report to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission as required.
• 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 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