Residential Counselor/ Direct Support Professional- Chester County locations

For over 60 years, CareLink Community Support Services has been dedicated to helping people with disabilities to live in the community with dignity and independence. Our rehabilitation services and professional staff provide the support that people with serious mental illness, physical disabilities and other developmental challenges need to be active, productive members of their communities.

Salary: 

$16.25 an hour (1st shift)

$17.25 an hour (2nd shift)

PRN Weekend/Holiday $17.70 an hour 

Available Shifts:

Chester Springs, PA:

1st Shift Sunday through Thursday 8:00am -4:00pm

1st shift Friday through Monday 8:00am- 4:00pm

2nd Shift Sunday through Thursday 4:00pm - 12am

2nd Shift Friday through Monday 4pm - 12 am

PRN -Overnight and 1st Shift

Downingtown, PA:

1st shift Monday through Friday 7:00am- 3:00pm (Marsh)

PRN - Weekends and Overnights

About the Role:

This role supports individuals receiving services by assisting with daily living activities and fostering recovery, wellness, and self-determination. Key responsibilities include implementing and documenting person-centered activities, promoting community integration, and encouraging independence. Additionally, the position contributes to maintaining a safe and welcoming service environment. All duties align with the agency's mission, values, and goals.

What You'll Do:

• Participate in the development and implementation of service/recovery plans reflecting the individual's preferences, goals, lifestyles, and interests. 

• Assess, teach, evaluate, and supervise individual's skills in the areas of daily living, meal planning, housekeeping, career needs, and social, recreational, and community activities.

• Complete written documentation daily that reflects the individual's recovery and progress on their goals as well as staff interventions.

• Assist and oversee individuals with medication regimen including PRN medications.

• Consistently engages in productive/therapeutic activities.

• Encourage and support individuals in developing positive relationships with family and significant others. 

• Assist individuals through modeling, verbal teaching, and/or direct assistance with maintaining cleanliness and orderliness of their individual rooms and their residence.

• Assist or prepare various foods for individual meals as required. 

• Ensure that any/all dietary considerations are followed. Food shopping must be completed, and dietary preferences/concerns will need to be considered.

• Locate and access community medical resources for individual needs as applicable and as instructed.

• Take regular responsibility in shift activities, including but not limited to site trash removal, changing linens, making beds, cleaning bathrooms, cleaning common areas, which include but are not limited to the living room, kitchen, foyer, dining area, and hallways. 

• Maintain cleanliness of work areas, including assisting with maintenance of the kitchen, common areas, linen closets, medication storage areas, and staff office.

• Use appropriate communication channels.

• Respond appropriately to safety/emergency situations.

• Drive agency vehicles in a safe manner following the applicable traffic laws for purposes of supporting individuals and/or the program.

• Provide consistent and positive feedback to participants in relation to the progress made on their goals.

• Provide individuals with opportunities to make informed decisions and support them in their decisions.

• Actively uphold and advocate for individuals' rights.

• Use knowledge of basic recovery principles and methods of rehabilitation in the performance of your job. 

• Ensure individuals participate in appropriate daily activities that promote recovery. 

• Use person centered language (non-judgmental or negative) in written documentation.

• Communicating with individuals using language that promotes respect, acceptance and hope for their recovery

• Work creatively with people in recovery with respect to their cultural heritage or cultural identification, age, disability, religious or spiritual identification.

• Actively provides opportunities and support to the individual in finding and expressing spiritual growth/well-being.

• Monitor, assess and report everyone's need for additional or replacement clothing or personal items and notify Program Supervisor.

• Educate, discuss, and encourage residents to address their daily and long-term physical health.

• Assist individuals who are on smoking precautions to maintain safety.

• Encourage and assist individuals through modeling, verbal teaching, and/or direct assistance to engage in appropriate personal hygiene activities including but not limited to getting dressed, tooth brushing, showering, toileting, etc.

• Review emergency procedures with individuals on a regular basis.

• Assist and supervise individuals in the planning, initiation and participation of social and recreational activities based on their interests.

• Support individuals in accessing the community through use of agency or public transportation.

• Provide the individual with opportunities and support to access the community resources in achieving their goals

What's in it for you:

· Robust Health and Welfare Benefits

· Paid Time Off

· Holiday Pay

· 403B with Employer Match

· Employee Referral Programs

· Tuition Reimbursement and more

Qualifications:

Required Education: High School Diploma or GED 

Preferred Education: Bachelor's Degree

Field of study: Human Services or related field

Work Experience (preferred): 1 to 2 years

Life Experience: Working in Human Services field or relevant life experience

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations Required: Valid Driver's License, CPRP/RPRP Certification is preferred, Certified Peer Specialist is preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products.

• Strong collaborating skills, and an ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment with frequent deadlines; high energy, self-motivated and proactive.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to multitask and be flexible with regard to workload and assignments.

• Ability to exercise judgment. 

• Knowledge of basic principles and methods of rehabilitation required.

• Motivation, interest and ability to work empathetically with people with disabilities.

• Ability to work independently required.

• Must be able to write and speak English in an understandable manner.

• Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks required.

• Ability to take direction.

• Ability to prepare meals, perform general housekeeping and maintenance duties required.

• Ability to make sound judgments regarding the health/welfare of participant required.

• Ability and willingness to drive agency vehicles are required.

CareLink Community Support Services is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal and state civil rights laws.