Residential Counselor (Developmental Disabilities)

Residential Counselor

As a Residential Counselor, you will provide direct support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a small group residential setting or an individual living arrangement. In your role you will work together with the people we serve, their families, friends, employers, and other support staff to transform their lives by either building independence skills or increasing each person's quality of life.

Residential Counselors have a range of duties include administrating medication under the Medication Administration Plan (MAP), implementing treatment plans, and assisting people with activities of daily living, such as household chores and cooking. You also strengthen residents' connection to their community by providing transportation on outings such as shopping and doctor's appointments.

Keywords: social services, counseling, social work, group home, DSP, Direct Care, psychology, mentor, mental illness, mental health, disability, developmental disabilities, behavioral, rehabilitative, psychiatric, outreach worker, outreach services, human services, nonprofit, autism, crisis, trauma, advocacy, developmental disability, recovery, Direct Care, VinfenRC

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:

• Assist individuals in the home in becoming fully integrated into their communities, and develop and maintain friendships.
• Assist individuals to access community-based support and resources.
• Plan recreational and social activities that promote social inclusion and the emotional well being of individuals in support of living a good life.
• Empower and support 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.
• Support 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 individual in securing, maintaining and growing in work, volunteer, and other community engagement opportunities.
• Support 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.
• Encourage and support individuals and their involved families in maintaining strong partnership with staff and other interested parties.
• Provide 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.
• Perform hands-on tasks in the program as required in order to facilitate implementation of support plans.
• Provide transportation, as necessary.
• Assess the physical and emotional status of individuals in the home and report changes to supervisor.
• Monitor individual funds, as needed.
• Maintain records for individuals in the home. Collect behavior and academic data and maintain progress notes. Document all information related to incidents, programs, and routine activities in a communication log.
• Procure, store, administer, document, and dispose of medication for individuals consistent with MAP requirements, funding source regulations, and Company policy.
• Communicate with and provide information to interested parties such as program nurse, case managers, and Visiting Nurses Association.
• Participate in all mandated training and staff meetings as directed by the supervisor.
• Ensure compliance with all internal and external regulatory policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure home safety and maintenance as necessary at all times. This includes general housekeeping, snow shoveling, and trash removal.
• Comply with all corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers' compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Complete various paperwork and logs including communication logs, community membership logs, and activity schedules.
• Provide shift coverage, as necessary in other homes/programs as assigned by supervisor.
• Function as human rights advocate. Provide physical intervention and/or First Aid in the event of behavior or medical emergency. Serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission.
• Assist in developing, implementing and documenting treatment including ISP/PSTPs and clinical programs.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Why Vinfen? We are committed to you! We offer great training, great benefits, career growth and job security!

About Us:

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.

High school diploma or GED required.

• Experience working with people with developmental disabilities and/or brain injury strongly preferred.
• Strong time management and writing skills.
• All applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a current, valid, US drivers' license for at least 6 months.
• Must be able to become CPR, First Aid certified within 2 weeks of employment and MAP certified within 150 days of employment.
• Must successfully complete Safety Care within 90 days
• Must be able to successfully pass a CORI, reference, national fingerprinting and driving record check.

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

Typical Requirements:

Candidates with one or more years of experience and/or training in a related function will be given preference for employment.

Preferred /Required Education:

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

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 one year, 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