Residential Counselor (Brain Injury)

Overview

Provides individual and group support to persons served in a residential program supporting individuals diagnosed with a brain injury. Teaches skills to enhance independence and quality of life. Ensures a safe, secure, and clean residential environment. Assists individuals in becoming fully integrated into their communities. Teaches skills to enhance independence and self-advocacy, and supports choices that contribute to living a good and meaningful life. Ensures a safe, secure, and clean residential environment. Assists individuals in becoming full participants in their communities, develop and maintain friendships, and strengthen family engagement and partnerships.

Responsibilities

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:
• Assists individuals in the home in becoming fully integrated into their communities, and develop and maintain friendships.
• Assists individuals to access community-based support and resources.
• Plans recreational and social activities that promote social inclusion and the emotional well being of individuals in support of living a good life.
• Empowers and supports individuals in the home to make choices, be a self advocate, and be fully involved in making decisions in determining the directions of their supports and lives.
• Supports individuals in the home with access to assistive technology and adaptive equipment as a means to augment communication, access their communities, and generally live more independently.
• Supports individuals in securing, maintaining and growing in work, volunteer, and other community engagement opportunities.
• Supports individuals in the home to be more independent, be self-advocates, and make choices that define the direction and their vision for living a good life.
• Encourages and supports individuals and their involved families in maintaining strong partnership with staff and other interested parties.
• Provides training and support to individuals in the home. This includes rehabilitative interventions, behavioral interventions and monitoring, fire & safety regulations, appointment scheduling, money management, ADLs, grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking, household chores, use of generic resources, and other related areas.
• Performs hands-on tasks in the program, as required in order to facilitate implementation of support plans.
• Provides transportation, as necessary.
• Assesses the physical and emotional status of individuals in the home and reports changes to supervisor.
• Monitors individual funds, as needed.
• Maintains records for individuals in the home. Collects behavior and academic data and maintains progress notes. Documents all information related to incidents, programs, and routine activities in a communication log.
• Procures, stores, administers, documents, and disposes of medication for individuals consistent with MAP requirements, funding source regulations, and Company policy.
• Communicates with and provides information to interested parties such as program nurse, case managers, and Visiting Nurses Association.
• Participates in all mandated training and staff meetings as directed by the supervisor.
• Ensures compliance with all internal and external regulatory policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensures home safety and maintenance as necessary at all times. This includes general housekeeping, snow shoveling, and trash removal.
• Complies with all corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers' compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Completes various paperwork and logs including communication logs, community membership logs, and activity schedules.
• Provides shift coverage, as necessary in other homes/programs as assigned by supervisor.
• Functions as human rights advocate. Provides physical intervention and/or First Aid in the event of behavior or medical emergency. Serves as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission.
• Assists in developing, implementing, and documenting treatment, including ISP/PSTPs and clinical programs.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Knowledge and Skills:
• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of participatory planning techniques
• Knowledge of required physical personal management skills
• Knowledge of required household management skills
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues
• Participatory skills, collaborative skills, teaching skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to adapt and communicate to a variety individuals through the use of different communication styles
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
• High motivation to learn, practice new skills
• Consistency in performance
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats

Learn or Master the Following Areas:
• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
• Knowledge and proven ability to promote family partnerships
• Knowledge and proven ability to promote social inclusion in a way that supports individual choices
• Knowledge and proven ability to promote ability to implement PBS treatment programs
• Knowledge of participatory planning techniques
• Knowledge of required physical personal management skills
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques

About Vinfen

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Qualifications

Typical Requirements:
Candidates with one or more years of experience and/or training in a related function are encouraged to apply.

Preferred /Required Education:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.


Driving Requirements:
Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least osix months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.

Physical Effort:
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position.
Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift.
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.

Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living.

Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.


Required Certifications:
CPR required within two weeks of hire
First Aid required within two weeks of hire
MAP required within 150 days of hire
PBS Tier 1 required within 150 days of hire
Safety Care required within 90 days of hire
May be asked to obtain CBIS certification (Certified Brain Injury Specialist)