Residential Care Counselor

Job Summary

Responsible for the care and safety of assigned children. As a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, assumes primary residential care counselor role. Responsible for input into the formulation of a therapeutic residential treatment plan, and the implementation, observation, and documentation of this program under the direction of the Residential Care Supervisor.

• Participates in maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment.
• Participates in the development and operationalization of the residential care plan for assigned children according to established Department and Program-based procedure and policy.
• Maintains and documents level of child observation as ordered by the physician or Program Director each shift.
• Supervises assigned children in daily routines and assists with activities of daily living.
• Identifies, reports, and actively resolves potential problems in the Program.
• Demonstrates appropriate critical incident follow-up skills by timely verbal reporting to Residential Care Supervisor or Nursing Supervisor/Program Nurse and documentation in child’s chart.
• Intervenes in disruptive milieu or destructive to self/other child situations providing timely therapeutic intervention(s).
• Adheres to Hospital, Departmental, and Program policies and procedures.
• Attends Program meetings as assigned.
• Maintains current certification in crisis management.
• Maintains current CPR certification.
• Maintains current ERS, Safety & OSHA certifications.
• Attends Program staff development meetings as assigned.
• Consistently follows all Hospital and Departmental policies and procedures.
• Consistently follows all Program-based policies and procedures.
• Actively participates in the residential child care planning process under the direction of the Residential Care Supervisor.
• Participates in the initial admission interview process as assigned.
• Works to support initial therapeutic alliance with child and family on admission.
• Completes initial milieu assessment within a 24 hour period.
• Develops initial problem list and residential care plan within 24 hours of admission.
• Reviews residential care plan and problem list on a daily basis, revising as necessary.
• Communicates individual child residential treatment plans in an ongoing manner to other Program staff, including liaison with other multidisciplinary treatment providers.
• Actively participates in DPC's, treatment team, and shift report.
• Is aware of Program QA indicators and responsibilities related to such.
• Accurately documents significant child/family observations/milieu treatment in the child’s chart in a timely fashion.
• Offers information and knowledge acquired through experience to other staff via formal/informal staff development forums.
• Supports and contributes to the development of residential care plans/behavioral management.
• Assists and teaches child in activities of daily living and personal hygiene based upon child’s level of competence.
• Demonstrates ability to set consistent and supportive therapeutic limits within guidelines of Hospital, Program, and Department standards.
• Institutes behavioral programs specific to the needs of the child in collaboration with off-line clinicians.
• Participates and assists in organizing Program activities.
• Consistently models to children/families appropriate and therapeutic interpersonal staff/child interactions.
• Supports and participates in recreation therapy program.
• Handles crisis situations in a safe, effective manner, utilizing the least restrictive, safe patient care alternative.
• Takes the initiative to seek formal supervision, incorporating suggestions for improvement/changes in job performance.
• Performs independently within Program policies and practices. Refers specific complex problems to supervisor…