JOB TITLE: RESIDENTIAL COUNSELOR
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor, the Residential Counselor will exhibit practical knowledge of behavior management techniques, ability to work with intellectual disabilities and/or mental health adolescents; enable residents to acquire, improve, and maintain maximum functional abilities; assist in settings which allow peer interactions and an opportunity for community and social integration; provide direct-care and support in areas such as personal care, communication, independent living, socialization, recreational, leisure skills, etc.; ensure safety and welfare of residents by adhering to OSHA regulations; good oral and written communication, and documentation skills.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide training in social skills, coping skills and environmental awareness skills
- Provide training in functional skills related to the use of community resources (transportation, shopping, restaurants, social and recreational activities, etc.)
- Provide training in community safety, appropriate peer interactions, and problem solving
- Training in functional skills related to personal care activities (hygiene, dressing, eating, mobility, communication, chores, food preparation, money management, shopping, etc.)
- Monitor health and physical condition; assistance with medication and/or other medical needs
- Specialized supervision to ensure resident’s health and safety.
- Assistance with transportation of the resident to community activities and appointments
- Ensure the health, safety and welfare of residents by adhering to OSHA regulations
- Identify escalating at-risk behavioral indicators and assist with implementation of behavioral deceleration programs through the use of approved behavioral intervention management
- Implement residents program plans, including active treatment in the areas of self-help, community living, motor development, communication, etc., both in the home and while utilizing community resources.
- Utilize positive behavior management techniques to motivate residents.
- Ensure that residents who live at the facility, and those who are assisted in the home meet the highest standards of appearance and cleanliness necessary for public scrutiny
- Responsible for documenting on Progress Notes for each resident
- Attend and satisfactorily complete all required training in areas such as first aid, CPR, seizure control, medication management, CPI, etc.
- Performs other related duties as requested by the CAO.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- High School Diploma /(GED), and a minimum of 6 months of work experience with children that have an ID (Intellectual disability) diagnosis.
- Valid Driver’s License
- Acceptable Criminal Records Report
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Must possess knowledge of therapeutic relationships.
Must possess knowledge of limit setting and behavior management
Must possess knowledge of crisis management of aggressive behavior
Must be certified in CPR First Aid and as a Medical Technician
Human Rights Plans and Local Human rights Committee (LHRC)
Medications and safe procedure for their storage
Knowledge of vocational, social and leisure skill development
Medical aspects of populations with disabilities
Handicapping conditions of adolescents with intellectual disability and/or mental health diagnosis
Safe driving techniques
SKILLS IN:
Data collection
Oral and written communication
Implementing individualized programming
Use of appropriate task prompts
ABILITY TO:
Implement and maintain individual program plans
Utilize and/or implement behavior management intervention techniques
Implement alternative communication systems such as manual communication
Maintain confidentiality as warranted by HIPAA regulations
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with staff, residents, and their families and other professional and paraprofessionals.
Maintain effective working relationships
Exercise sound judgment
Effectively supervise and support residents
Complete assigned paperwork
Other responsibilities as assigned by CAO
SUPERVISED BY:
The Residential Counselors will be supervised by the Program Supervisor.
