Safe Haven Residential Counselor (Mental Health Services)

Vinfen; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 25,003 - 35,610; Full time

Job summary

Vinfen is seeking an engaged support worker in Boston to assist residents of a transitional housing program. This role is focused on creating a welcoming atmosphere while helping residents with their transition to permanent housing and addressing their health and social support needs.

Candidates should have at least a high school diploma, experience in a related field, and demonstrate commitment to advocacy and empowering others. The position involves physical activity and some driving responsibilities.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in a related field.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.

Responsibilities

• Create a culture of safety for residents.
• Develop trusting relationships with residents.
• Help residents assess their needs and create action plans.
• Support medication management for clients.

Skills

Engagement and advocacy techniques

Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation

Communication skills

Crisis intervention techniques

Ability to establish supportive relationships

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Overview

Provide support to and engage Safe Haven residents in a welcoming and comfortable setting, designed as a safe, low-demand alternative to the streets or shelters for people with significant histories of homelessness and psychiatric conditions, sometimes with substance misuse. Meet residents’ needs for privacy and safety and gradually encourage their participation in working on their self‑defined needs for income/benefits, finding permanent housing, addressing healthissues, and building social support.

Together with staff and residents, fosters a place of mutual respect, support, caring and collaboration; where safety, health, and learning are paramount and attaining permanent housing is the goal.

Responsibilities

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

• Creates and maintains a culture of safety and welcome for residents of a Safe Haven transitional housing program.
• Maintains low demand, no/low barrier philosophy and culture within Safe Haven.
• Develops and enhances trusting relationships with residents. Skillfully and gently engage residents to learn from them about the barriers they’ve faced to their goals.
• Encourages collaboration, mutual support, respect, and social interaction between residents.
• Encourages and helps residents to assess their needs and wants, and develop person‑centered Individualized Action Plan to address them.
• Consistently offers, but does not require, residents to accept support and treatment services.
• Provides skills training and support to residents.
• Provides transportation to residents, as necessary.
• Assesses residents’ physical and emotional status, and report changes to Program Director.
• Maintains required records for residents, as assigned.
• Refers residents to community‑based services for mental health, substance use, healthcare, income/benefits, housing, legal help, peer support, education, and job training.
• Provides support and coaching to clients to help them manage their medications as needed—consistent with their goals and preferences.
• Helps to provide requested/required information to the Department of Mental Health onthe process and outcomes of Safe Haven services for residents.
• Helps orient new staff and residents.
• Participates in all mandated training and staff meetings.
• Helps maintain a safe, comfortable, and clean residence at all times. This may include general housekeeping, cooking, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and garbage removal.
• Supports adherence to all regulations and requirements; including Vinfen’s Safe Haven policies and procedures, safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Accesses on‑call and complete incident documentation, as needed.
• Provides physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of medical emergency. Serves as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission, if necessary.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong commitments to the right and ability of clients to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the resources and supports needed in their community
• Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with residents
• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation values and principles
• Knowledge and use of engagement, empowerment, and advocacy techniques
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles
• Knowledge of participatory planning and consensus building techniques
• Knowledge of trauma informed, person centered and culturally competent services
• Knowledge of community resources available to clients including, but not limited to, medical and psychiatric care and substance use services
• Knowledge of tenant rights, subsidies, and resources available for housing
• Knowledge of safety and risk protocols
• Knowledge of employment services and supports
• Knowledge of psychiatric and medical medications
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, trauma, and gender issues
• Ability to demonstrate participatory, collaborative, and teaching skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge of required household management skills

Qualifications

Typical Requirements: Applicants with one or more years of experience and/or training in a related field are strongly encouraged to apply.

Preferred /Required Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor’s degree 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 remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.

Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility.

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 is required within two weeks of hire
• First Aid is required within two weeks of hire
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division New Employee Training courses are required, excluding MAP
• Crisis Intervention/Staff Safety and Infectious Diseases are required within six months of hire
• Other trainings, as assigned

Pay Range

USD $22.00 - USD $22.00 /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.