Residential Counselor (Developmental Disabilities)

Vinfen • Norwood, MA

10d

About The Position

Provide individual and group support to people with developmental disabilities in a residential program. Teach and support skills that promote independence, self-advocacy, community participation, and quality of life. Help maintain a safe, secure, and clean home, and support individuals in building friendships, strengthening family partnerships, and making choices about their lives. The role includes hands-on support, transportation when needed, documentation, medication-related duties, and participation in training and staff meetings. Candidates with at least one year of experience and/or training in a related function are encouraged to apply. A high school diploma or equivalent is required, though experience may substitute for academic training in some cases. Driving is required using a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. Employees using a personal vehicle must maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record. A valid driver’s license must be presented at hire; incumbents must be at least 21, have held a valid U.S. driver’s license for at least six months, and pass a driving background check. CPR and First Aid are required within two weeks of hire; MAP and PBS Tier 1 within 150 days; and Safety Care within 90 days. The pay range is $21.27 per hour.

Requirements

• At least one year of experience and/or training in a related function is encouraged.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; in some cases, experience may substitute for academic training.
• 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 driving 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.
• Knowledge and use of advocacy, empowerment, self-advocacy, and participatory planning techniques.
• Knowledge of communication styles, 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; adapt communication to diverse individuals; and work professionally and confidentially.
• Motivation to learn and practice new skills, consistency in performance, and effective oral and written communication.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb; lift at least 25 pounds using proper techniques or a two-person lift; and assist clients with daily-living tasks.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer; sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
• Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives; required close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

• Help individuals participate in their communities, access community-based support and resources, and develop and maintain friendships.
• Plan recreational and social activities that promote inclusion and emotional well-being.
• Support 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 facilitate communication, community access, and independence.
• Assist individuals in securing and maintaining work, volunteer, and other community-engagement opportunities.
• Support family partnerships and communication among individuals, 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, grocery shopping, meal planning and 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 individual records, collect behavior and academic data, write progress notes, and document incidents, programs, and routine activities in communication logs.
• 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, Visiting Nurses Association personnel, and other interested parties.
• Participate in mandated training and staff meetings as directed by the supervisor.
• Comply with internal and external regulatory policies, procedures, and standards, as well as corporate and divisional policies and safe-work practices.
• Maintain home safety and upkeep, including housekeeping, snow shoveling, and trash removal.
• Complete 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.
• Serve as a human-rights advocate and reporter to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission; provide physical intervention and/or first aid during behavioral or medical emergencies.
• 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, plus an 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