DSHS DDA SOCR Attendant Counselor 2

State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orca Card

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services seeks Attendant Counselor 2 to provide direct care and habilitative support for adults and children with developmental disabilities in Pierce County. You will implement individualized plans, support daily living activities, and work with an interdisciplinary team to promote health, safety and community participation.

The role includes nurse-delegated tasks, documentation, and safe transport of clients.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of one year of experience with people with developmental disabilities in mental health facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, or residential settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and habilitative support to promote independence and daily living skills.
• Implement individualized support plans including positive behavioral supports and nurse-delegated medication assistance.
• Monitor and report changes in clients' health, behavior, and wellbeing; ensure safety and protection from abuse or neglect.
• Support clients in home and community activities and transport them using state-owned vehicles.
• Collaborate with families, guardians, healthcare providers, and other team members to deliver coordinated, person-centered services.
• Maintain accurate documentation and a safe, clean living environment; participate in required training and meetings.

Skills

Habilitative services

Positive behavior support

Documentation

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Client transport

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

DSHS DDA SOCR – Attendant Counselor 2

Join our team supporting adults and children with developmental disabilities in a State Operated Community Residential (SOCR) program, where every day is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. We are hiring Attendant Counselors to provide residential support services in the Graham, Puyallup, and Spanaway areas. As an Attendant Counselor, you will provide person-centered care and habilitative support that empowers individuals to build independence, develop life skills, and actively participate in their communities. Working as part of a dedicated interdisciplinary team, you'll help implement individualized support plans, promote health and safety, provide positive behavioral supports, and create a safe, inclusive environment where each person can thrive.

Some of what you’ll do:

• Provide direct care, habilitative support, and instruction that promotes independence, daily living skills, and an enhanced quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Implement individualized support plans, including positive behavioral supports, activities of daily living, therapeutic programs, and nurse-delegated medication assistance.
• Monitor, document, and report changes in clients' physical, behavioral, and emotional well-being while helping ensure their health, safety, and protection from abuse or neglect.
• Support clients in home and community activities, including recreational, educational, employment, medical, and social appointments, and safely transport clients using state-owned vehicles.
• Partner with families, guardians, healthcare providers, and other members of each client's support team to provide coordinated, person-centered services.
• Maintain accurate documentation, client records, inventories, and a clean, safe, and organized living environment while completing required safety checks.
• Participate in team meetings, required training, and continuous improvement efforts while following agency policies, procedures, and established care standards.

Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Knowledge of habilitative services, person-centered supports, positive behavior support strategies, and developmental disabilities.
• Ability to provide compassionate, respectful, and professional care while promoting client dignity, independence, and quality of life.
• Ability to recognize, assess, and appropriately respond to changes in client health, behavior, emergencies, and crisis situations using sound judgment.
• Ability to accurately implement individualized support plans, nurse-delegated tasks, medication procedures, and written medical or program instructions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively document services and collaborate with clients, families, healthcare professionals, and team members.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to safely transport clients and support daily living activities, including meal preparation, household tasks, and basic financial assistance when needed.

Who should apply?

We are searching for professionals with:

• A high school diploma/GED

AND

• One year of experience working with people with developmental disabilities in mental health facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, or residential settings.

Additional information:

• Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
• The locations for this position are located throughout Pierce County, specifically in Graham, Puyallup, and Spanaway. Applicants must be able to travel to all three locations.
• Work schedule for current openings:
  • Full-Time: Thursday – Monday from 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Full-Time: Wednesday – Sunday from 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • On-Call

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Neptostism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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