Residential Counselor (Developmental Disabilities)

Vinfen • Watertown, MA

6d

About The Position

Provide individual and group support to people with developmental disabilities in a residential program. Teach skills that promote independence, self-advocacy, and quality of life while maintaining a safe, secure, and clean home. Support people to make choices, participate fully in their communities, develop and maintain friendships, and strengthen family partnerships.

The role provides training and support in areas such as rehabilitative and behavioral interventions, activities of daily living, money management, appointment scheduling, shopping, meal planning and cooking, household tasks, and use of community resources. It also involves supporting access to assistive technology, adaptive equipment, employment and volunteer opportunities, and community activities. The Residential Counselor maintains individual records and funds as needed, documents progress and incidents, administers medication in accordance with applicable requirements, communicates with interested parties, and assists with treatment planning and implementation.

The position requires transportation using a Vinfen van or personal vehicle, participation in required training and meetings, and compliance with organizational and regulatory policies. It includes maintaining the home, providing shift coverage when assigned, and responding to behavioral or medical emergencies, including physical intervention or First Aid when needed. The role may involve physically active work, including assisting people with daily living tasks.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent; in some cases, experience may substitute for academic training.
• One or more years of experience and/or training in a related function is encouraged.
• Valid driver's license presented at hire; 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's 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.
• Ability to adapt communication to a variety of individuals and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to work professionally and confidentially, learn and practice new skills, and perform consistently.
• 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.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
• Ability to assist clients with activities of daily living and to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.
• Vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

• Experience and/or training in a related function.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in becoming integrated into their communities, accessing community-based resources, and developing and maintaining friendships.
• Plan recreational and social activities that promote inclusion and emotional well-being.
• Support individual choice, self-advocacy, and participation in decisions about supports and life direction.
• Assist individuals with access to assistive technology and adaptive equipment.
• Support individuals in securing and maintaining work, volunteer, and other community engagement opportunities.
• Encourage strong partnerships between individuals, their families, staff, and other interested parties.
• Provide training and support in rehabilitative and behavioral interventions, safety, appointments, money management, activities of daily living, shopping, meal planning and cooking, household chores, and use of community resources.
• Perform hands-on tasks needed to implement support plans and provide transportation as necessary.
• Assess individuals’ physical and emotional status and report changes to a supervisor.
• Monitor individual funds as needed and maintain records, progress notes, behavior and academic data, incident documentation, and communication logs.
• Procure, store, administer, document, and dispose of medication in accordance with MAP requirements, funding source regulations, and company policy.
• Communicate and share information with interested parties, including nurses, case managers, and visiting nurses.
• Participate in mandated training and staff meetings and comply with applicable policies, procedures, and standards.
• Maintain home safety and upkeep, including housekeeping, snow shoveling, and trash removal.
• Complete required paperwork and logs, including community membership logs and activity schedules.
• Provide shift coverage in other homes or programs when assigned by a supervisor.
• Serve as a human rights advocate and reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission; provide physical intervention 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 eligible 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 employees who qualify.
• 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 eligible 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