Awake Overnight Residential Counselor (Mental Health Services)

Vinfen • Boston, MA

5d

About The Position

Provide direct services in a GLE/SIE residential setting, helping Persons Served (PS) overcome barriers to independent living and prepare to live independently. Implement assigned support interventions from PS Treatment Plans, administer medications in accordance with Medication Administration Program (MAP) policies and procedures, provide crisis interventions when needed, and help maintain a safe, comfortable, and clean residence.

The role includes supporting residents overnight, including helping new residents settle in and assisting PS who have difficulty sleeping. The Residential Counselor uses recovery-oriented, person-centered, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, culturally competent, and strengths-based approaches. The position also includes medication support and teaching, meal preparation, physical site maintenance, documentation, participation in trainings and meetings, and support for the residence’s operations and quality improvement goals.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Commitment to the right and ability of PS to live and work in their community of choice, have meaningful relationships, and receive needed resources and supports.
• Ability to establish supportive, trusting relationships with PS, families, and neighbors.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and make independent judgments and decisions.
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment.
• Driving is required using either a Vinfen van or a personal vehicle. Personal-vehicle drivers must maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record subject to annual checks.
• 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's screening background check.
• Ability to perform physically active work, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, sitting, reaching, using stairs, and maneuvering through narrow spaces or hallways.
• Ability to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or a two-person lift.
• Ability to assist PS with activities of daily living.
• Ability to remain stationary 50% of the time as needed.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
• Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with PS, staff, and external representatives; required vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree in a human service discipline.
• Prior experience working in a human services setting.
• Bilingual/bicultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Help PS who are new to the residence settle in and support PS who have difficulty sleeping at night; encourage good sleep habits.
• Implement PS Treatment Plan interventions as directed by the Team LPHA Clinician.
• Perform 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 with PS.
• Follow safety, maintenance, Human Rights, and other operational policies and procedures, and comply with site licensing standards and regulations.
• Store, administer, document, and dispose of PS medication in accordance with MAP requirements, funding-source regulations, and company policy, as applicable; teach PS medication management.
• Create opportunities for PS to participate in residence operations, including meal preparation and physical site maintenance.
• Encourage social interaction among residents and help foster a collaborative environment where PS and people important to them are welcomed, respected, and valued; serve as a resource for neighbors.
• Help PS prepare meals.
• Participate in trainings and attend supervision and staff meetings as requested.
• Assist with orientation of new staff.
• Complete required documentation and incident documentation as needed.
• Contribute to program quality improvement goals and objectives.
• Help PS use crisis intervention techniques when necessary and access on-call backup when needed.
• Perform physical site maintenance according to the maintenance schedule.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

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 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 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 20 hours or more per week.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED