Residential Counselor

Overview

A Residential Counselor II provides direct support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a small group residential setting or an individual living arrangement. They 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 including administering medication under the Medication Administration Plan (MAC), implementing treatment plans, and assisting people with activities of daily living such as household chores and cooking. They also strengthen residents' connection to their community by providing transportation on outings such as shopping and doctor’s appointments.

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

• Assists in developing, implementing, and documenting treatment, including ISP/IPs and clinical programs.
• Provides training and support to persons served, including rehabilitative interventions, behavioral interventions, fire & safety regulations, appointment scheduling, money management, ADLs, grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking, household chores, and related areas.
• Performs hands‑on tasks to facilitate implementation of support plans.
• Assists individuals in becoming fully integrated into their communities.
• Assists residents with community-based support and resource services; plans recreational and social activities to promote emotional well‑being and improve quality of life.
• Provides transportation as necessary.
• Assesses residents’ physical and emotional status and reports changes to supervisor.
• Monitors residents’ funds as needed.
• Maintains records for persons served, collects behavior and academic data, and maintains progress notes.
• Enters information into electronic health record and documents all information related to incidents, programs, and routine activities in a communication log.
• Stores, administers, documents, and disposes of medication for persons served consistent with MAC requirements, funding source regulations, and Company policy.
• Communicates with and provides information to interested parties such as program nurse, funding agency, case managers, other service providers, Visiting Nurses Association nurses, and physicians.
• Participates in all mandated training and staff meetings, assists with the orientation of new staff, and ensures compliance with all internal and external regulatory bodies.
• Ensures program site safety and maintenance at all times, including housekeeping, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and garbage removal.
• Complies with all corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Completes various paperwork and logs and online data records including communication logs, community membership logs, chore schedules, timesheets, and application forms.
• Ensures required staff-to-consumer ratio is maintained at all times; performs last‑minute coverage as required.
• Functions as a human rights advocate, provides physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of a behavior or medical emergency, and serves as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission.
• Maintains required certifications, reviews and replies to work emails, and follows all Vinfen administrative policies.
• Performs other related duties as required.

• Advocacy techniques
• Different communication styles
• Empowerment and self‑advocacy techniques
• Participatory planning techniques
• Physical personal management skills
• Household management skills
• Crisis intervention techniques
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues
• Participatory, collaborative, and teaching skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to learn and use online tools such as Microsoft Outlook and an electronic health record

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community‑based…