Residential Counselor

**GENERAL DESCRIPTION**:
Provides individuals in community-based program with support services designed to promote the independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in community. This position implements programs aimed at teaching new skills in the areas of self-care, managing behavior, community integration and other activities of daily living. This is carried out with respect and dignity and in accordance with _Walnut Street Inc.(WSC)_ policies and procedures.

**ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Direct Support Skills**
- ** Follow age and population specific recommendations. **Understands and applies competencies specific to the general characteristics of each age group and specific population served
- ** Activities of Daily Living** Assists individuals with Activities of Daily living which includes but is not limited to; personal hygiene/self-care tasks, dressing.
- ** Provides therapeutic environment. **Provides supervision to insure safety and well
- being of individuals.. Provides supports that promote independence through skill building programs. Encourages participation and is helpful, supportive and respectful of differences with regards to unique needs, age, gender and culture of the individual being supported.
- ** Assists with the development, implementation, evaluation and documentation of individual’s treatment plans (ISP, DHSP).** Provides case management as assigned; assessing individual’s skill set and areas of need, participating in the development of treatment plan and evaluating the effectiveness of the goals, objectives, plans and procedures. Implements formal skills building programs, as identified in treatment plan.
- ** Health Maintenance. **Assists individuals to participate in health related activities according to WSC and/or DDS policy.

**Provides therapeutic support**
- ** Assists in the development of Behavior Support Plan (BSP),** and attends meetings as requested.
- ** Manages behavioral crises. **Implements formal Behavior Support Plan (BSP) with support from the clinical team. Applies crisis prevention and intervention strategies, as approved by WSC.
- ** Effective Interaction. **Manages both individual and groups in the program and the community. Works effectively with more than one individual, encouraging participation in the program, providing support and offering assistance. Ensure the appropriate ratios and level of supervision when interacting with individuals.
- ** Human Rights. **Promotes individuals human rights by providing opportunities for choice and participation whenever appropriate.

**Provides Safe Living Environment**
- ** Maintenance of work environment, equipment, materials and supplies. **Assists individuals in the day-to-day maintenance and cleanliness of the residence. Ensures individual’s safe use of all equipment. Ensures cleanliness, care and proper usage of materials, supplies and appliances. Reports deficiencies in materials, supplies and appliances to supervisor.
- ** Transportation. **Provides transportation of individuals. Operates house vehicle safely and defensively. Follows all WSC transportation policies.

**Provides for community integration and promotes a good public image.**
- ** Community relations. **Promotes a favorable image of individuals and the organization by fostering good community relations by demonstrating appropriate professional behavior.
- ** Community access. **Provides supports to ensure access to community, integrating opportunities for new experiences as appropriate.
- ** Notification.** Notifies appropriate supervisor in the event of a community incident or any issue that could affect the individual, program or organization.

**Professional responsibility**
- ** Maintains professional relationships **with** co**-workers, management, guardians and members of the community in a professional manner. Is responsive to constructive feedback and adjusts accordingly.
- ** Exercises good judgment. **Initiates course of action that follows WSC Policies, Procedure and Protocols. Seeks additional information from management if course of action is not established. Resolves conflict in a productive manner and/or consults management for assistance.
- ** Effectively responds to emergency situations**; makes sound independent decisions, seek information and clarification, resolves conflict in a productive manner.
- ** Additional responsibilities. **Performs other duties, responsibilities and projects as assigned by supervisor or management.

**Documentation/Communication.**
- ** Case Management - **performs case management for assigned individual(s), which includes but is not limited to: attending meetings with individual, writing assessments, objectives and support strategies, monitoring data, writing progress reports utilizing data; verbally providing periodic updates at staff meetings; facilitating and individual’s training.
- ** Medication Documentation** - Accurately completes in writing medical-related