Residential Advisor

AIMED is a faith-based agency established in 1998, dedicated to serving God's Kingdom through our work. We are an organization committed to quality, honesty, and ethical support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and our team. Join our dynamic team and contribute to our mission of breaking barriers to independence and providing extraordinary support.

Job Description - Residential Services, Direct Care Service

Title: Residential Advisor

Responsible to: Program Manager


General Description of Duties and Responsibilities:

Residential Advisors are responsible for maintaining a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment which fosters growth and rehabilitation and facilitates the development of mutual aid/self help skills among individuals. Staff's primary role is to provide the appropriate and effective behavioral supports tailored to the needs and desires of each individual to enable each to live as independently as possible. Residential Advisors are expected to recognize when an individual is in a crisis and be able to utilize the appropriate comprehensive crisis management training, psychiatric, medical back up services and/or the crisis team involved with the individual.

Specific Duties:

1. Assist/monitor/teach individuals with preparation of daytime activities; encourage good personal hygiene, and behavior appropriate in their home or apartment.
2. Assist the Residential supervisor in the assessment of each individuals(s) ability, interests and need areas toward independent living. Provide input in the development of each ISP. The staff's behavior and interaction with individuals shall be directed towards the attainment of goals set forth within each ISP.
3. Assist/monitor/teach individuals(s) in budgeting skills.
4. Teach self medication skills according to ODP regulations, and when appropriate supervise in medication administration.
5. Assist/monitor/teach individuals engaging in daily chores.
6. Assist/monitor/teach individuals as needed in grocery shopping, menu planning, meal preparation and clean up.
7. Meet with individuals (as needed) on an individual basis to discuss concerns, problems.
8. Assist/monitor/teach individuals in holding house meetings and informal discussion groups with peers.
9. Handle emergency situations appropriately, (according to AIMED and ODP policies). Utilize crisis interventions when necessary.
10. Teach and/or support individuals in utilizing public transportation. Transport individuals to appropriate appointments when necessary (i.e. person requires assistance at appointment).
11. Perform daily record keeping (i.e. data collection, daily logs). Exchange information with next shift and/or with support staff.
12. Teach and be supportive of basic nutrition. Assist individuals to utilize community resources from nutritional counseling.
13. Teach relationship building skills.
14. Teach community integration; assist individuals in joining community organizations of their choice.
15. Teach problem solving skills/resolving conflicts.
16. Provide leisure/recreational activities of individual(s) choice, increase individual's self initiative in leisure activities.
17. Teach/monitor individuals self management skills (in health and behavior management).
18. Teach individuals basic first aid, fire safety, emergency skills and sex education, and/or assist individual in locating a class (community resource) in the above stated items.
19. Provide opportunities for individuals to have choices, make decisions in daily living and their future goals (i.e. assist individual in day to day decisions).
20. Assist in creating natural supports for individuals.
21. Assist individuals in building their self esteem.
22. .Encourage empowerment.
23. Follow individual treatment plans consistently.
24. Conduct and document monthly fire drills according to ODP procedures.
25. Report any consumer (individual) abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) or act of omission to the Allegheny County adult Abuse line.
26. Be available to meet with repair person(s) and inspectors.
27. Utilize on call and crisis team when necessary.
28. Attend mandatory trainings and site team meetings.
29. Implement OSHA regulations.
30. Lifting, snow shoveling and climbing stairs.
31. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Residential Advisor play a critical role in the overall success of our Residential Services. As "natural role models", Residential Advisors must have the following personal qualifications:

1. The minimum professional qualifications for Residential Advisors is a High School Diploma and one year of Human Service work experience. Training provided to those with less experience.
2. Medication administration certification.
3. Must be 21 years old or older.
4. Autonomy - ability to work without immediate supervision.
5. Interpersonal sensitivity (objective awareness of others, tactful interaction, ease in establishing limits).
6. Reliability and flexibility
7. Insight and the ability to articulate it.
8. Valid driver's license and the ability to drive a van.
9. Crisis intervention training (i.e. non violent crisis intervention, positive approach, etc)
10. CPR, First Aid and AED.
11. Must clear ACT 33, 34 and 73 (criminal clearance).

Mission Statement
AIMED commits to meeting the personal needs of individuals and families with excellence and breaking the barriers to independence.

AIMED IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER