Residential Counselor ( Developmental Disabilities)

Vinfen; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 23,582 - 33,587; Full time

Job summary

Vinfen seeks dedicated professionals in Boston, MA, to provide individual and group support within a residential program. Responsibilities include promoting community integration, ensuring safety, and facilitating access to resources.

Candidates should possess a high school diploma and relevant experience. Driving is a requirement using a Vinfen vehicle or personal car. The pay rate is $20.75 an hour, with necessary certifications required within specified time frames.

Qualifications

• One or more years of experience and/or training in a related function are preferred.
• Driver's license must be presented at the time of employment.
• Must be at least 21 years of age and able to pass a driver's screening background check.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group support to persons served in a residential program.
• Ensure a safe, secure and clean residential environment.
• Assist individuals to access community-based support and resources.
• Support individuals in securing, maintaining and growing in work and community engagement opportunities.

Skills

Advocacy techniques

Different communication styles

Empowerment and self-advocacy techniques

Participatory planning techniques

Crisis intervention techniques

Collaborative skills

Teaching skills

High motivation to learn

Effective oral and written communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Provide individual and group support to persons served in a residential program. Teach skills to enhance independence and quality of life. Ensure a safe, secure and clean residential environment. Assist individuals in becoming fully integrated into their communities. Support choices that contribute to living a good and meaningful life. Strengthen family engagement and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Assist individuals in the home in becoming fully integrated into their communities and develop and maintain friendships.
• Assist individuals to access community-based support and resources.
• Plan recreational and social activities that promote social inclusion and the emotional well‑being of individuals in support of living a good life.
• Empower and support individuals in the home to make choices, be a self‑advocate, and be fully involved in determining the directions of their supports and lives.
• Support individuals in the home with access to assistive technology and adaptive equipment as a means to augment communication, access their communities, and generally live more independently.
• Support individuals in securing, maintaining and growing in work, volunteer, and other community engagement opportunities.
• Encourage and support individuals and their families in maintaining strong partnership with staff and other interested parties.
• Provide training and support to individuals in the home. This includes rehabilitative interventions, behavioral interventions, fire & safety regulations, appointment scheduling, money management, ADLs, grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking, household chores, use of generic resources and other related areas.
• Perform hands‑on tasks in the program as required to facilitate implementation of support plans.
• Provide transportation, as necessary.
• Assess the physical and emotional status of individuals in the home and report changes to supervisor.
• Monitor individual funds, as needed.
• Maintain records for individuals in the home. Collect behavior and academic data and maintain progress notes. Document all information related to incidents, programs, and routine activities in a communication log.
• Procure, store, administer, document, and dispose of medication for individuals consistent with MAP requirements, funding source regulations, and Company policy.
• Communicate with and provide information to interested parties such as program nurse, case managers, and Visiting Nurses Association.
• Participate in all mandated training and staff meetings as directed by the supervisor.
• Ensure compliance with all internal and external regulatory policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure home safety and maintenance as necessary at all times. This includes general housekeeping, snow shoveling, and trash removal.
• Comply with all corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Complete various paperwork and logs including communication logs, community membership logs, and activity schedules.
• Provide shift coverage, as necessary in other homes/programs as assigned by supervisor.
• Function as human rights advocate. Provide physical intervention and/or First Aid in the event of behavior or medical emergency. Serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission.
• Assist in developing, implementing and documenting treatment including ISP/PSTPs and clinical programs.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles
• 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
• 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 adapt and communicate to a variety of individuals through the use of different communication styles
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
• High motivation to learn, practice new skills
• Consistency in performance
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats

Qualifications

Job Requirements: Candidates with one or more years of experience and/or training in a related function will be given preference for employment.

Education Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. 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 U.S. 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. 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. For positions in day programs or group residences, the ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.

Required Certifications

• CPR required within two weeks of hire
• First Aid required within two weeks of hire
• MAP required within 150 days of hire
• PBS Tier 1 required within 150 days of hire
• Safety Care required within 90 days of hire

Required Credentials / Licenses

N/R

Pay Range

USD $20.75 – USD $20.75 /Hr.

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.