Residential Counselor

OverviewResidential Counselor - DBT at Continuum of Care. Scope of Service: The DBT Residential Counselor position supports our Young Adults receiving services through Continuum’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program. Position assists individuals with daily personal routines including providing prompts for daily living skills, skill-building activities, and active participation in groups, community engagement, and recreational activities. Provides companionship to residents and establishes a trusting and professional relationship. Required to complete and maintain training conducted by the DBT Contracted Trainer/Supervisor. Co-facilitates groups based on DBT model. Performs other duties as assigned.ResponsibilitiesEstablishes rapport and positive working relationships with clients while maintaining professional ethics and boundaries. Provides coaching to practice coping strategies and the use of alternative, more adaptive behaviors.Assists in solving daily problems related to community living, medical conditions and interpersonal relationships.Provides support with daily living and self-care skills including, at minimum, medication compliance, self-management of mental illness symptoms, transportation, planning and preparation of nutritious meals, personal grooming, management of financial resources, shopping, use of leisure time, interpersonal communication and problem-solving.Facilitates connections to natural community supports and mentors.Encourages the development of self-advocacy skills and assists with accessing self-help and advocacy resources.Encourages the practice of recovery skills used to prevent relapse and manage symptom cycles.Develops or maintains positive social relationships to ensure independent participation in social, interpersonal or community activities and to achieve full community reintegration.Provides transportation to and from appointments as identified.Conducts regular apartment/room inspections and assists the clients in maintaining the cleanliness of their living spaces which may require hands-on assistance.Conducts ongoing rounds checks ensuring safety of each individual and the program.Administers breathalyzer tests and collects urinalysis samples, as applicable.Documents shift logs in electronic records according to contract and agency policy.Develops and maintains working relationships with providers, families, and natural supports.Responds to crisis situations and provides appropriate interventions as outlined in the agency policy for Nonviolent Practices.Supervises, monitors and documents the self-administration of client medications.Attends mandatory weekly DBT consultation meetings and participates in monthly staff meetings, clinical rounds, All Treater meetings and supervision.Environmental ResponsibilitiesMaintains a clean, well-organized work environment.Ensures all program egresses and walkways are clear to support workplace safety.Notifies supervisor of maintenance and/or safety issues and generates work orders as needed.Conducts and participates in fire and emergency evacuation drills and reviews the emergency preparedness plan as outlined in agency policy.Participates in Food Bank activities as assigned.Staff are required to remain awake during all shifts to maintain security and safety of clients and facility.Quality AssuranceAdheres to policies and practices as outlined in the staff handbook and program operations manual.Works in a respectful, constructive, and cooperative manner.Upholds HIPAA regulations and secures all necessary releases of information for outside communication.Models culturally competent behavior; maintains accurate electronic records and case files in accordance with programming, contractual, licensing, and accreditation requirements.Adheres to standards of CARF and participates in agency committee work when available.Completes trainings as required per program contract and agency policy; attends agency-sponsored in-services, outside trainings, conferences, and meetings to facilitate professional growth and ensure quality of case management practices.QualificationsHigh School Diploma or equivalent; minimum of one year experience in related healthcare field. Licensed CNA or other related healthcare certification accepted in lieu of experience.Prior experience facilitating group work; experience with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and/or addiction.Knowledge of community support systems and resources preferred.Valid Connecticut Driver’s license with clean driving record. Scattered site and non-24 hr. program positions require reliable transportation and willingness to transport clients in personal vehicles.DBT skills training provided upon hiring; completion is mandatory for any staff wishing to work in the DBT program.CPR/First Aid certification offered as part of orientation; maintain ongoing certification.Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic record keeping.Company Benefits IncludeCompetitive Wages401(k) with company match up to 3.5%Medical, Dental, and VisionFSA and Dependent Care AccountsCompany-Sponsored Employee Assistance ProgramCompany Sponsored Life, AD&D and LTDColonial Supplemental InsuranceVacation, PTO & Sick time for eligible FT 40 & PT (2039 hour)Eligibility and ExtrasConnecticut Paid Sick Time for all employees up to 40 hours a year12 Company Holidays Paid at Double Time (hourly employees)Job DetailsSeniority level: Entry levelEmployment type: Part-timeJob function: Health Care ProviderIndustries: Mental Health Care #J-18808-Ljbffr