Residential Counselor PT

VOA Chesapeake and Carolinas•Lanham, MD

1d•$15 - $15•Onsite

About The Position

The Residential Counselor provides direct rehabilitation and support services to clients in group-home settings, helping them participate in community activities and develop or use skills for independent living. The role participates in assessing clients’ rehabilitation needs and developing, implementing, and monitoring individual rehabilitation plans. It also provides crisis support and, when appropriate, follow-along services to suspended or discharged clients. The counselor provides basic supervision in home-like environments for individuals with varying levels of mental illness; supports community integration; communicates client progress to program staff; and documents service delivery. When privileged, the counselor may monitor clients’ self-administration of prescribed medication and provide basic health education. The position includes driving or transporting clients, maintaining assigned vehicles and homes, and helping ensure compliance with organizational policies and program requirements. The role reports to the group homes’ Residential Coordinator and is under the clinical supervision of the Rehabilitation Director.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least two years of experience working in a mental health residential setting and/or a social-service-related field; related post-high-school education may be included.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work in a fast healthcare environment.
Experience with Microsoft Suite, including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself and/or equipment as necessary.
Ability to travel to assigned locations and perform the physical duties described, including standing, sitting, stooping, bending, reaching, pulling, pushing, lifting, grasping, climbing, talking, seeing, hearing, light home maintenance, and operating office equipment.
Ability to move and lift objects weighing up to 30 pounds.
Ability to operate office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand and arm movements.
Ability to remain seated for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or registered nurse licensure with at least one year of experience providing rehabilitative services or working with people with chronic mental illness.
Bilingual ability in any language.

Responsibilities

Participate in assessing clients’ rehabilitation service needs and developing, implementing, and monitoring individual rehabilitation plans.
Coordinate and deliver rehabilitation and support services that address client goals, including support for self-care, personal hygiene, grooming, menu planning and preparation, socialization, independent living, home maintenance, community awareness, mobility, and money management.
Provide basic supervision in home-like environments for individuals with varying levels of mental illness.
Coordinate activities that promote community integration.
Communicate with program staff regarding client progress.
Document service delivery, prepare daily billing statements as directed, and collect and record required data.
When privileged, monitor clients’ self-administration of prescribed medication, ensure safe medication storage, monitor client reactions, take appropriate action, and reinforce education about medication’s role and effects in symptom management.
When privileged, provide basic health teaching on nutrition, exercise, dental care, substance abuse prevention, injury and illness prevention, and communicable disease prevention, including sexually transmitted diseases and blood-borne pathogens such as HIV/AIDS.
Drive or transport clients as needed.
Ensure assigned vehicles are appropriately maintained.
Monitor resident and program documentation.
Participate in discharge planning and provide follow-along services when appropriate.
Attend required staff, training, house, and program meetings.
Ensure client and program compliance with VOAC policies and procedures.
Keep homes ready for inspection and report problems to the Residential Coordinator.
Perform other duties as assigned.