Awake Overnight Residential Counselor (Mental Health Services

Job Title

Support for Safe Haven Residents

Provide support to and engage Safe Haven residents in a welcoming and comfortable setting, designed as a safe, low-demand alternative to the streets or shelters for people with significant histories of homelessness and psychiatric conditions, sometimes with substance misuse. Meet residents' needs for privacy and safety, and gradually encourage their participation in working on their self-defined needs for income/benefits, finding permanent housing, addressing health issues, and building social support.

Together with staff and residents, foster a place of mutual respect, support, caring and collaboration; where safety, health, and learning are paramount and attaining permanent housing is the goal.

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

• Create and maintain a culture of safety and welcome for residents of a Safe Haven transitional housing program.
• Maintain low-demand, no/low barrier philosophy and culture within Safe Haven.
• Develop and enhance trusting relationships with residents. Skillfully and gently engage residents to learn from them about the barriers they've faced to their goals.
• Encourage collaboration, mutual support, respect, and social interaction between residents.
• Encourage and help residents to assess their needs and wants and develop person-centered Individualized Action Plan to address them.
• Consistently offer, but do not require, residents to accept support and treatment services.
• Provide skills training and support to residents.
• Provide transportation to residents, as necessary.
• Assess residents' physical and emotional status, and report changes to Program Director.
• Maintain required records for residents, as assigned.
• Refer residents to community-based services for mental health, substance use, healthcare, income/benefits, housing, legal help, peer support, education, and job training.
• Store, administer, document, dispose, and arrange packaging of medication for clients. Provide support and training to clients to help them manage their medications as needed.
• Help provide requested/required information to the Department of Mental Health on the process and outcomes of Safe Haven services for residents.
• Help orient new staff and residents.
• Participate in all mandated training and staff meetings.
• Help maintain a safe, comfortable and clean residence at all times. This may include general housekeeping, cooking, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and garbage removal.
• Support adherence to all regulations and requirements; including Vinfen's Safe Haven policies and procedures, safe work practices, workers' compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Access on-call and complete incident documentation, as needed.
• Provide physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of medical emergency. Serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission, if necessary.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

• Strong commitments to the right and ability of clients to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the resources and supports needed in their community

• Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with residents

• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation values and principles

• Knowledge and use of engagement, empowerment, and advocacy techniques

• Knowledge and use of different communication styles

• Knowledge of participatory planning and consensus building techniques

• Knowledge of trauma informed, person centered, and culturally competent services

• Knowledge of required household management skills

• Knowledge of psychiatric and medical medications

• Knowledge of community resources available to clients including, but not limited to, medical and psychiatric care and substance use services

• Knowledge of tenant rights, subsidies, and resources available for housing

• Knowledge of safety and risk protocols

• Knowledge of employment services and supports

• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques

• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, trauma, and gender issues

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