Residential Specialist

Residential Specialist

If you are passionate about providing high-quality care to individuals in your community, we invite you to join our team at AWARE. AWARE is looking for the right person to join the team as a residential specialist. The support we provide helps the adults, children, and families we serve become active and vital members of their community while focusing on personal growth. We are a compassionate and fully engaged team that is dedicated to providing the best possible care to our clients. Our strength lies in our culture of care, and we are looking for individuals who share our commitment to providing unconditional care to those in need.

We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment where all team members feel valued and respected. We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, as well as opportunities for professional growth and development. If you are looking for a rewarding career, we encourage you to apply to join our team at AWARE.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with individuals to assess their strengths and skills in daily living, empowering them to identify, develop, and participate in meaningful activities that foster functional independence and personal growth in a safe, supportive environment.
• Support individuals in navigating personal challenges or conflicts by responding with empathy, providing therapeutic guidance, and offering empowering alternatives to help build resilience and positive coping strategies.
• Report to the Residential Manager, identify missing documentation, client issues, and/or staff issues.
• Assist the Residential Manager with scheduling, interviews, training, and other related matters.
• Assist the Residential Manager with various tasks on an as-needed basis.
• Read the Day Program Communication Log daily and communicate any issues to the Residential Manager.
• Daily documentation checks: Treatment Plans, Clinical Notes, Staff Notes, Communication Log, Structured Leisure Activities etc.
• Ensure an appropriate menu is posted for each week and ensure meals are prepared properly.
• Organize structured group activities daily.
• Provide attentive supervision and companionship for individuals with developmental disabilities during daily activities, such as work, recreation, and community outings, ensuring a sense of safety and inclusion.
• Offer gentle assistance with basic care, including hygiene, meal preparation, mealtimes, household chores (such as laundry), and maintaining a safe, welcoming, and comfortable living space that honors each person's dignity and preferences.
• Plan, accompany, participate in, and oversee community and group activities (including recreational, leisure, vocational, and educational opportunities) to help individuals build skills, develop coping mechanisms, and experience empowerment through choice and collaboration.
• Implement and adhere to Individual Treatment Plans, Behavior Management Plans, Independent Living Plans, and Personal Support Plans, adapting them in a trauma-informed way to respect individuals' experiences and promote trust.
• Observe, report, and accurately document individuals' physical, emotional, and behavioral well-being in daily logs, critical incident reports, and AWARE's Electronic Medical Records System, using a strengths-based, non-judgmental approach.
• Shop for residence and individual needs as directed, prioritizing choices that support autonomy.
• Assist with phone calls and family visits when assigned, facilitating connections in a respectful and supportive manner.
• May assist, as assigned, in medication distribution programs, ensuring safety and adherence to protocols.
• Transport individuals to and from work, recreational activities, appointments, etc., when necessary, promoting independence and accessibility.
• Use trauma-informed de-escalation techniques, such as H.E.L.P. (including therapeutic holds only when necessary to ensure safety), and perform basic First Aid/CPR if needed, always prioritizing the least restrictive interventions to protect individuals from harm to self or others.
• Attend and participate in mandatory training, in-services, staff meetings, and committees as assigned. Upon hiring, the program specialist will complete and pass training in areas including: H.E.L.P. (de-escalation and therapeutic holds), Medication Certification, First Aid/CPR, Blood Borne Pathogens, Safety Health Emergency and Disaster (SHED) Safety, Safe Vehicle Operations, Safety Data Sheet (SDS), HIPAA, Professional Caregiver, AWARE's Behavioral Competency (ABC), Client/Employee Health and Safety, and Behavior Intervention Skills.
• Utilize and accurately record data in AWARE's Electronic Medical Records System and Balanced Score Card Performance system as trained, maintain confidentiality, and focus on empowering documentation.

Excited to join our organization? AWARE residential specialists earn $21.00 - $23.00 per hour.

Requirements

Talents, skills, and abilities:

• At least three (3) years of experience is required and/or an associate degree in a Human Services field, or a minimum of a bachelor's degree in any field, and a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in Human Services.
• Ability to, under AWARE's Unconditional Care Philosophy, implement individual support plans with the knowledge of behavioral techniques, interventions, skill-building techniques, and understanding of the emotional and behavioral needs of individuals within the residence.
• Requires computer literacy skills, including the ability to navigate, record, and overall basic computer skills needed for performance-based software as well as an electronic medical records system.
• The Residential Specialist must have interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills to work as a team member, make observations, report them accurately, learn resident care methods, and follow oral and written instructions.

Benefits:

AWARE proudly offers an excellent benefits package, uniquely designed to support you and your family in staying well, professional growth, and achieving financial security.

AWARE's benefits include:

• Quarterly Financial Bonus Program
• Tuition Advancement Program
• Health Insurance
• Dental/Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Life Insurance
• Wellness programs
• Generous paid time off

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.