Residential Counselor (Developmental Disabilities)

Vinfen; Norwood (MA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Vinfen is hiring to provide individual and group support in a residential program in Massachusetts. The role focuses on teaching skills for independence, safety, and community participation.

You will assist with access to resources, plan social activities, and support self‑advocacy and decision making. The position requires driving, CPR/First Aid, MAP, and PBS training within specified timeframes, and you will collaborate with nurses, case managers, and program staff to ensure supportive living

Qualifications

• Experience or training in related function preferred.
• Driving is a requirement with valid license and insurance.
• Must pass background checks and meet safety requirements.
• MAP, PBS Tier 1, CPR and First Aid training within specified timelines.

Responsibilities

• Help individuals become fully integrated into their communities and build friendships.
• Assist access to community resources and support services.
• Plan recreational activities to promote social inclusion and well‑being.
• Empower individuals to be self‑advocates and participate in decision making.
• Support communication and independent living with assistive technology.
• Document progress, manage logs, and coordinate with nursing/case management.

Skills

Advocacy techniques

Communication styles

Self-advocacy

Crisis intervention

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

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. Teach skills to enhance independence and self-advocacy, and support choices that contribute to living a good and meaningful life. Ensure a safe, secure, and clean residential environment. Assist individuals in becoming full participants in their communities, develop and maintain friendships and strengthen family engagement and partnerships.

Responsibilities

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

• 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 making decisions 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.
• Supports individual in securing, maintaining and growing in work, volunteer, and other community engagement opportunities.
• Support individuals in the home to be more independent, be self-advocates, and make choices that define the direction and their vision for living a good life.
• Encourage and support individuals and their involved 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 and monitoring, 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 in order 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 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

About Vinfen

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,200 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in 318 programs throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers

My Vinfen. My Community. My Job.

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.

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 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. 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

Pay Range

USD $21.27 - USD $21.27 /Hr.