Residential Counselor

Job Requirements

General Summary:

Under general supervision, responsible for the overall, daily operations of the residence. Based on a strengths model and using counseling and communication skills, counselor develops and maintains a supportive, therapeutic, safe, home-like atmosphere which is sensitive to individual, cultural and functional differences.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks:

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Develops effective rapport with residents and provides daily independent skills training as identified in their Individual Rehabilitation Plan (IRP).
2. Provides input and makes recommendations to the team on needs, skills, and preferences of residents to help promote a successful rehabilitation process.
3. Identifies social, environmental and health care needs and meets these needs by helping members develop daily living skills, and Monitors and supports goals.
4. Supports, supervises and participates in performing daily living skills/tasks with residents, such as, self-care/grooming, preparing meals, planning household budgets, food shopping, house cleaning, laundry, interpersonal relationships, clothing purchases, and leisure skills.
5. Conducts and documents routine safety drills. Supports and assists members to perform routine household maintenance during assigned shifts.
6. Provides guidance and assists to residents to perform routine household maintenance such as changing light bulbs, clearing leaves, and clearing sidewalks of snow and ice.
7. Holds regularly scheduled house meetings and counseling groups with residents to improve communication.
8. Acts as an advocate within the neighborhood on behalf of the residents to assist residents in developing natural supports and resources and navigating the community.
9. Completes documentation of daily billing sheets, shift logs, communication logs, maintenance request forms, medication monitoring documentation, progress towards IRP goals, and incident reports as they occur.
10. Provides transportation to and from scheduled appointments as needed while training members in independent travel as appropriate, at Harbor City only.
11. Provides crisis intervention and collaborates with coordinator or assistant program manager, as needed to resolve problems.
12. Provides updates to coordinator through shift and status reports, both written and verbal.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of basic home routines and maintenance tasks (i.e. change a light bulb, plunge a toilet, change a fuse, prepare nutritious meals, etc.) is required.
2. Basic computer skills including use of Microsoft office are required.
3. Effective oral and written communication and counseling skills (i.e. active listening, building rapport, respecting boundaries, etc.) are necessary in order to establish and maintain effective working relationships with residents, staff members and the community.
4. Actively participates in meetings to effectively communicate status of residents and identified issues.
5. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient populations(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.

Patient Safety:

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions, and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
3. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

Training:

1. Completes training as assigned by UMMC, supervisor, and/or division within assigned time frames.
2. Upon hire or no later than, three months of hire date, will provide documentation of certification in American Heart Association CPR/First Aid and will complete renewals in time frames determined by certification compliance.
3. PPD/Flu Vaccine are completed by deadline designated by UMMC.

Education and Experience:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) is required.
2. Bachelor's degree in a Human Services related field is preferred.
3. Minimum of one (1) year experience in mental health services, or equivalent health services experience, is required.
4. Bachelor's degree may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
5. A current, valid, MD state driver's license is required. No more than two points on the driving record permitted.

Additional Information:

1. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
2. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 1pm-9pm

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