Residential Counselor (Developmental Disabilities)

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.
• Empower and support individuals in the home to make choices, be a self-advocate, and be fully involved in making decisions.
• Support individuals in the home with access to assistive technology and adaptive equipment.
• Support individuals in securing, maintaining and growing in work, volunteer, and other community engagement opportunities.
• 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, including 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, including 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

Learn or Master the Following Areas

• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
• Knowledge and proven ability to promote family partnerships
• Knowledge and proven ability to promote social inclusion in a way that supports individual choices
• Knowledge and proven ability to promote ability to implement PBS treatment programs
• Knowledge of participatory planning techniques
• Knowledge of required physical personal management skills
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques