Residential Counselor - PT DBT

Overview

2nd Shift: 16 hours. Friday and Saturday 3pm - 11pm.

Scope of Service:
The DBT Residential Counselor position supports our Young Adults receiving services through Continuum’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program. Position assists individuals with daily personal routines including providing prompts for daily living skills, skill-building activities, and active participation in groups, community engagement, and recreational activities. Provides companionship to residents and establishes a trusting and professional relationship. Required to complete and maintain training conducted by the DBT Contracted Trainer/Supervisor.

Co-facilitates groups based on DBT model. Performs other duties as assigned.

Client Care:

• Establishes rapport and positive working relationships with clients while maintaining professional ethics and boundaries. Provides coaching to practice coping strategies and the use of alternative more adaptive behaviors.
• Assists in solving daily problems related to community living, medical conditions and interpersonal relationships.
• Provides support with daily living and self-care skills including at minimum: medication compliance, self-management of mental illness symptoms, the use of transportation, planning and preparation of nutritious meals, personal grooming, management of financial resources, shopping, use of leisure time, interpersonal communication and problem-solving.
• Facilitates connections to natural community supports and mentors.
• Encourages the development of self-advocacy skills and assists with accessing self-help and advocacy resources.
• Encourages the practice of recovery skills used to prevent relapse and manage symptom cycles.
• Development or maintenance of positive social relationships to ensure independent participation in social, interpersonal or community activities and to achieve full community reintegration.
• Provides transportation to and from appointments as identified.
• Conducts regular apartment/room inspections and assists the clients in maintaining the cleanliness of their living spaces which may require hands-on assistance.
• Conducts ongoing rounds checks ensuring safety of each individual and the program.
• Administers breathalyzer tests and collects urinalysis samples, as applicable.
• Documents shift logs in electronic record according to contract and agency policy.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with providers, families, and natural supports.
• Responds to crisis situations and provides appropriate interventions as outlined in the agency policy for Nonviolent Practices.
• Supervises, monitors and documents the self-administration of client medications.
• Attends mandatory weekly DBT consultation meetings.
• Attends and participates in monthly staff meetings, clinical rounds, All Treater meetings and supervision.

Environmental Responsibilities:

• Maintains a clean, well-organized work environment.
• Ensures all program egresses and walkways are clear to support workplace safety.
• Notifies supervisor of maintenance and/or safety issues and generates work orders as needed.
• Conducts and participates in fire and emergency evacuation drills and reviews the emergency preparedness plan as outlined in agency policy.
• Participates in Food Bank activities as assigned.
• In order to maintain the security and safety of the clients and facility, staff are required to remain awake during all shifts.

Quality Assurance:

• Adheres to policies and practices as outlined in the staff handbook and program operations manual.
• Consistently works in a respectful, constructive, and cooperative manner.
• Upholds all HIPAA regulations and secures all necessary releases of information for outside communication.
• Models culturally competent behavior interacting with clients, providers, family, and fellow staff.
• Maintains accurate electronic records and case files as assigned and in accordance with programming, contractual, licensing and accreditation requirements.
• Adheres to the standards of CARF.
• Participates in agency committee work when available or as permitted.
• Completes all trainings as required per program contract and agency policy.
• Attends agency sponsored in-services, outside trainings, conferences and meetings to facilitate continued professional growth and ensure the quality of case management practices.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent considered with a minimum of one year experience in related healthcare field. Licensed CNA or other related healthcare certification accepted in lieu of experience.
• Prior experience facilitating group work required.
• Prior experience working with people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and/or addiction.
• Knowledge of the community support system and resources preferred.
• Valid Connecticut Driver’s license with clean driving record is required.
• Scattered site and non-24 hr. program positions require the employee to maintain reliable transportation and be willing to transport clients in personal vehicles.
• DBT skills training is provided upon…