Residential Counselor (Brain Injury)

Overview

Provides individual and group support to persons served in a residential program supporting individuals diagnosed with a brain injury. Teaches skills to enhance independence and quality of life. Ensures a safe, secure, and clean residential environment. Assists individuals in becoming fully integrated into their communities.

Responsibilities

• Assists individuals in the home in becoming fully integrated into their communities, and develop and maintain friendships.
• Assists individuals to access community-based support and resources.
• Plans recreational and social activities that promote social inclusion and the emotional well being of individuals.
• Empowers and supports individuals in the home to make choices, be a self advocate, and be fully involved in making decisions.
• Supports individuals in the home with access to assistive technology and adaptive equipment.
• Supports individuals in securing, maintaining and growing in work, volunteer, and other community engagement opportunities.
• Encourages and supports individuals and their involved families in maintaining strong partnership with staff.
• Provides training and support to individuals in the home, including rehabilitative interventions, behavioral interventions and monitoring, fire & safety regulations, appointment scheduling, money management, ADLs, grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking, household chores.
• Performs hands-on tasks in the program to facilitate implementation of support plans.
• Provides transportation, as necessary.
• Assesses the physical and emotional status of individuals in the home and reports changes to supervisor.
• Monitors individual funds, as needed.
• Maintains records for individuals in the home; collects behavior and academic data and maintains progress notes.
• Procures, stores, administers, documents, and disposes of medication consistent with MAP requirements.
• Communicates with and provides information to interested parties such as program nurse, case managers, and Visiting Nurses Association.
• Participates in all mandated training and staff meetings.
• Ensures compliance with all internal and external regulatory policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensures home safety and maintenance, including general housekeeping, snow shoveling, and trash removal.
• Provides shift coverage in other homes/programs as assigned by supervisor.
• Functions as human rights advocate; provides physical intervention and/or First Aid in the event of behavior or medical emergency.
• Assists in developing, implementing, and documenting treatment, including ISP/PSTPs and clinical programs.

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