Safe Haven Residential Counselor (Mental Health Services)

Vinfen•Lowell, MA

8d•$22 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

As a Safe Haven Residential Counselor, you will provide support to and engage Safe Haven residents in a welcoming and comfortable setting, designed as a safe, low-demand alternative to the streets or shelters for people with significant histories of homelessness and psychiatric conditions, sometimes with substance misuse. You will meet residents' needs for privacy and safety and gradually encourage their participation in working on their self-defined needs for income/benefits, finding permanent housing, addressing health issues, and building social support. Together with staff and residents, Safe Haven Residential Counselors will foster a place of mutual respect, support, caring and collaboration where safety, health, and learning are paramount and attaining permanent housing is the goal.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
All applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a current, valid, US drivers' license for at least 6 months.
All applicants must be able to become CPR and First Aid certified within 2 weeks of employment.
All candidates must be able to successfully pass a CORI, reference, multi-state background and driving record check.
Strong time management and writing skills.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree in a Human Services related field is preferred.
Prior Human Services experience preferred.
Applicants with one or more years of experience and/or training in a related field will be given preference for employment.

Responsibilities

Creates and maintains a culture of safety and welcome for residents of a Safe Haven transitional housing program.
Maintains low demand, no/low barrier philosophy and culture within Safe Haven.
Develops and enhances trusting relationships with residents. Skillfully and gently engage residents to learn from them about the barriers they’ve faced to their goals.
Encourages collaboration, mutual support, respect, and social interaction between residents.
Encourages and helps residents to assess their needs and wants, and develop person-centered Individualized Action Plan to address them.
Consistently offers, but does not require, residents to accept support and treatment services.
Provides skills training and support to residents.
Provides transportation to residents, as necessary.
Assesses residents’ physical and emotional status, and report changes to Program Director.
Maintains required records for residents, as assigned.
Refers residents to community-based services for mental health, substance use, healthcare, income/benefits, housing, legal help, peer support, education, and job training.
Provides support and coaching to clients to help them manage their medications as needed—consistent with their goals and preferences.
Helps to provide requested/required information to the Department of Mental Health on the process and outcomes of Safe Haven services for residents.
Helps orient new staff and residents.
Participates in all mandated training and staff meetings.
Helps maintain a safe, comfortable, and clean residence at all times. This may include general housekeeping, cooking, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and garbage removal.
Supports adherence to all regulations and requirements; including Vinfen’s Safe Haven policies and procedures, safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
Accesses on-call and complete incident documentation, as needed.
Provides physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of medical emergency. Serves as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission, if necessary.
Performs other related duties, as required.

Benefits

A fully funded, employer-sponsored retirement plan that requires no employee contribution as well as an employee-funded 403(b) plan
First-rate Medical, Dental and Vision plans that are open all employees scheduled to work 30 hours per week or more. Plus, we offer a generous employer contribution toward the cost of medical insurance!
Employer-paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance (no cost to you!)
Employer-paid Short-Term Disability Insurance along with the option to purchase additional, voluntary, Short-Term disability insurance
Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (Health and Dependent care)
Voluntary Term, Whole Life, Accident and Critical Care Insurance
Generous paid time off (Employees scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week): 15 days of Vacation per year, 11 Paid Holidays, 10 Sick Days per year, 3 Personal Days per year
Educational Assistance and Remission Programs
$500 Employee Referral Bonus with no annual cap!
Other generous benefits including discounted YMCA memberships, access to discounted movie tickets and more!