Lead Residential Counselor

Vinfen; Coventry (CT); On-site; USD 3,420,580 - 4,105,248; Full time

Job summary

Vinfen in Connecticut is seeking a Lead Residential Counselor to provide direct support to individuals with behavioral conditions and developmental disabilities in small group homes or individual settings. You will collaborate with families, staff, and clinicians to promote independence and quality of life, and you will train new staff, ensure safety, maintain records, and administer medications as needed.

This role requires driving, ability to lift, CPR/First Aid, and a high school diploma; a

Qualifications

• Minimum two years’ experience as Residential Counselor.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; experience may substitute for education.
• Driving is a requirement; valid license and clean driving record.
• Physical demands include lifting up to 25 pounds and mobility tasks.
• CPR and First Aid required within two weeks of hire; Safety Care required.
• Must work with diverse populations and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support and develop/implement treatment plans.
• Train and support persons served; perform rehabilitative and behavioral interventions.
• Assist residents with community integration and plan recreational activities.
• Provide transportation as needed.
• Maintain records and enter data into electronic health records.
• Administer, store, and dispose of medications per policy and MAC requirements.
• Ensure safety, compliance, and staff orientation.
• Maintain staff-to-consumer ratios; cover shifts as needed.

Skills

Advocacy techniques

PC applications

Multi-tasking

Organizational skills

Communication styles

Cultural sensitivity

Collaborative skills

Independent work

Confidential capacity

Learning motivation

Consistency

Empowerment techniques

Participatory planning

Physical management

Household management

Crisis intervention

MS Outlook / EHR

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

MS Outlook

Electronic health record

Job description

Overview

The Lead Residential Counselor provides direct support to people with behavioral conditions as well as intellectual and developmental disabilities in a small group residential setting or an individual living arrangement. He or she works 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.

Finally, the Lead Residential Counselor serves as an experienced resource in developing the overall quality of the program and the skills of the staff. He or she models skills for program staff and assists in ensuring that new staff are properly trained, onboarded and welcomed into the program.

Responsibilities

• Assists in developing, implementing, and documenting treatment including ISP/IPs and clinical programs.
• Provides training and support to persons served. This includes rehabilitative interventions, behavioral interventions and monitoring, fire & safety regulations, appointment scheduling, money management, ADLs, grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking, household chores and other related areas. Performs hands‑on tasks in the program, as required in order 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 the emotional well‑being of persons served and improve quality of life. This includes holiday and birthday parties, celebrations, outings, community travel, church activities, decorating, shopping and other related activities.
• 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. 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 as directed by manager. Assists with the orientation of new staff. Ensures compliance with all internal and external regulatory bodies.
• Ensures program site safety and maintenance, as necessary at all times. This includes general 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. Must perform 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. 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.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment
• Ability to multi‑task in a time‑sensitive environment
• Organizational skills
• Ability to adapt and communicate to a variety of individuals through the use of different communication styles
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues
• Participatory skills, collaborative skills, teaching skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
• High motivation to learn, practice new skills
• Consistency in performance
• Knowledge of empowerment and self‑advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of participatory planning techniques
• Knowledge of required physical personal management skills
• Knowledge of required household management skills
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Strong ability to learn and use online tools such as Microsoft Outlook and an electronic health record

Qualifications

Typical Requirements: A minimum of two years’ experience in a Residential Counselor role. Demonstrated track record as an exceptional performer and team‑player while in the Residential Counselor role.

Preferred/Required Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Driving Requirements: Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver’s license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver’s license for at least six months, and must be able to pass a driver’s screening background check.

Physical Effort: Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two‑person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living. Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Required Certifications: CPR required within two weeks of hire; First Aid required within two weeks of hire; MAC follows CT guidelines; Safety Care required within two weeks of hire.

Pay Range

USD $24.83 - $24.83 /Hr.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.