Residential Counselor: THURS

The Residential Counselor supports and regularly provides direct care services to adults living in Victory Human Services' residential programs in a manner that promotes development of independence and community living skills and an improved quality of life.

Essential Functions of Position:

• Provide skilled shift coverage, including weekends and awake overnights, as scheduled by the supervisor, Program Manager or Program Director
• Implement treatment programs, including Individual Service Plans (ISPs) and clinical programs ; collect behavior and academic data; complete log entries
• Teach daily living skills such as safety rules, travel-training, banking and budget management, cooking, shopping, personal care and hygiene, and care of personal space and belongings
• Provide supportive counseling to clients concerning daily, personal and social issues
• Assist in developing and implementing program activities to foster the client's growth, development, and promotes a healthy life-style
• Store, administer, document and dispose of consumer medication consistent with DPH regulations
• Provides assistance in medication administration and train clients in self-medication procedures
• Provide physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of a behavior or medical emergency; Follow on-call and emergency procedures as required
• Accompany clients to medical, dental, psychiatric appointment, and/or leisure activities via public transportation, agency vehicle or staff car
• Assist in providing crisis assessment, prevention and needed intervention
• Assist the Program Manager to orient new staff, including relief staff
• Provide specialized training and instruction to clients and coworkers (such as in the role of HIV Officer, Medication Officer, Human Rights Officer, Safety Officer or Activities Coordinator) on an assigned basis - please note that should you be assigned these duties, they will be added as an addendum to this job description
• Ensure that the required staff-to-consumer ratio is maintained at all times
• May perform last ­minute coverage of the home in the event of a snow emergency, position vacancy, or sick call

Program Management & Operations:

• Maintain programmatic documentation such as fire drill records, emergency reports, transportation sheets, daily logs, etc.
• Attend weekly house, staff and supervision meetings as required by Program Manager or Program Director
• Maintain ongoing communication with the Program Manager and other residential staff. Meet with the Program Manager on a regular basis to review clinical, operational, and training issues
• Assist the Program Manager to ensure compliance with all internal and external regulatory bodies (i.e., QUEST, CARF, OSHA, and Quality Assurance)
• Comply with all corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, worker's compensation, universal precautions, exposure control
• Assist Clients with housekeeping tasks such as cleaning the bathrooms, kitchen, common areas, bedrooms, closets, and yard work (including leaf and snow removal), etc.
• Perform other household maintenance and cleaning tasks which have been designated by shift responsibilities and as assigned by Supervising Personnel
• Assume responsibility for keeping driver's license current ; Maintains a safe driving record
• Assume responsibility for the basic care of the agency vehicle ; Maintains the agency vehicle log accurately
• Follow and implement all safety procedures
• Perform other duties as assigned by Program Manager or Program Director
• Attend required orientation and training, including in-service training, conferences and seminars

Professional Characteristics:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with clients, other care providers, family and community members
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and within a team context
• Professional documentation and communication skills, as well as demonstrated organizational skills
• Ability to go up and down stairs to monitor clients on multiple floors and physical capacity to assist people with mobility impairments as needed

Other Qualifications:

• Department of Public Health certification in medication administration (MAP) preferred
• First Aid / CPR / AED Certifications are required
• Must possess a valid Massachusetts driver's license, and meet the company's driver insurance standards
• An acceptable CORI ( criminal record assessment) is required
• BA/BS in Human Services or related field and/or one-year previous work experience in human service setting preferable