Residential Counselor (Mental Health Services)

Vinfen•Hyannis, MA

About The Position

The Residential Counselor provides direct service in a GLE/SIE residential setting, helping persons served (PS) overcome barriers to and prepare for independent living. The role implements treatment-plan support interventions as assigned by a Team LPHA Clinician, administers medications in accordance with Medication Administration Program (MAP) policies and procedures, provides crisis interventions when needed, and helps maintain a safe, comfortable, and clean residence. The counselor uses recovery-oriented, person-centered, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, culturally competent, and strengths-based approaches. The role supports residents’ participation in daily residential life, including meal preparation and site maintenance, and promotes a welcoming, collaborative environment for residents and people important to them. The position also includes documentation, staff orientation support, training, meetings, supervision, and quality improvement activities. This position requires driving using either a Vinfen van or a 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 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. CPR and First Aid are required within two weeks of hire, and MAP is required within 150 days of hire.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to establish supportive, trusting relationships with persons served, families, and neighbors.
Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues.
Ability to balance competing priorities.
Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
Ability to work professionally and maintain confidentiality.
Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment.
Valid driver's license presented at employment; at least 21 years of age; a valid U.S. driver's license held for at least six months; and successful completion of 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, lift at least 25 pounds using proper techniques or a two-person lift, operate a computer and office equipment, sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
Ability to assist persons served with activities of daily living.
Ability to remain stationary 50% of the time as needed, bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility.
Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with persons served, staff, and external representatives.
Visual abilities including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
CPR certification within two weeks of hire.
First Aid certification within two weeks of hire.
MAP certification within 150 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in a human service discipline.
One to two years of job-specific experience in the human services field.
Bilingual or bicultural background.
Lived experience of psychiatric conditions.

Responsibilities

Orient persons served who are new to the residence.
Collaborate with Integrated Team members to address the needs of persons served.
Implement treatment-plan interventions as directed by the Team LPHA Clinician.
Complete day-to-day assignments as directed by the Program Director.
Use recovery-oriented, person-centered, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, culturally competent, and strengths-based approaches.
Follow safety, maintenance, Human Rights, and other operational policies and procedures.
Comply with physical-site licensing standards and regulations.
Store, administer, document, and dispose of medications according to MAP requirements, funding-source regulations, and company policy, as applicable; ensure compliance with Vinfen MAP protocols.
Teach persons served medication-management skills.
Create opportunities for persons served to participate in residential operations, including meal preparation and physical-site maintenance.
Encourage social interaction among residents and foster a collaborative, welcoming environment for residents, families, friends, and others important in their lives.
Serve as a resource for neighbors.
Help persons served prepare meals.
Advocate for persons served.
Participate in trainings and attend supervision and staff meetings as requested.
Assist with orienting new staff.
Complete required documentation and incident documentation as needed.
Contribute to program quality-improvement goals and objectives.
Help persons served use crisis-intervention techniques when necessary and access on-call backup when needed.
Support evidence-based and best practices, including Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Housing First, Stages of Change, Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP), Seeking Safety, and Cognitive Behavioral interventions.
Perform physical-site maintenance according to the maintenance schedule.
Perform other related duties as assigned.