Adult Group Home Counselor (PT)

Weekend SHIFT: Every Saturday/Sunday, 9a-9p (24 hrs)

FUNCTION:

Under the clinical supervision of the Rehabilitation Director, the Residential Counselor is responsible for the provision of direct services which promote the ability of clients to participate in appropriate community activities and which contribute to the development and utilization of skills necessary for independent living. Additionally, the Residential Counselor will participate in the assessment of the client's rehabilitation needs and in the development, implementation and monitoring of the client's individual rehabilitation plan. The Residential Counselor is also responsible for providing crisis services, including intensive support and assistance, and may be required to provide follow-along services to suspended or discharged clients.

The Residential Counselor is also responsible for ensuring that clients develop and utilize skills that contribute to the maintenance of a safe and sanitary residential environment as well as documenting service delivery. The Residential Counselor may be privileged to provide basic health teaching in the areas of nutrition, exercise, dental care, substance abuse prevention, and prevention of injury and illness at home and in the community as well as training in communicable disease prevention.

REQUIREMENT

• High school or equivalency diploma
• At least two years experience working in a mental health and/or social service related field, OR
• A combination of experience working in mental health and/or social service related fields and post high school education totaling 18 months is required.

Preferred selection may be given to persons who have:

• Experience in a residential setting serving people with Behavioral health diagnosis or with other types of special needs populations (rehabilitation settings, nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, other behavioral health settings, etc.);
• Experience in working with people who have behavioral health episodic behaviors.

PRINCIPLE ACTIVITIES:

• Participates in the assessment of clients' rehabilitative service needs and in the development, implementation and monitoring of the individual's rehabilitation plan.
• Coordinates activities and deliver rehabilitation and support services which address individual client goals and objectives contained within the client's rehabilitation plan which are directed toward the development or restoration of independent living skills.
• Such activities may include the development or restoration of self care skills including personal hygiene, grooming, menu planning and preparation, socialization skills, independent living skills, including the maintenance of the individual's living environment, community awareness, mobility skills and/or money management. The Residential Counselor may be privileged to provide health teaching and prevention of communicable diseases. Residential Counselor is expected to work directly with the client to assist with these activities and when necessary, model such skills by completing the task if the client is unable to do so.
• Coordinates activities which promote community integration on a weekly basis (i.e. visiting a park, comparative shopping, eating in a restaurant).
• Communicates with program staff regarding client progress via contact note, and/or email, and telephone.
• Documents service delivery and prepare billing statements as directed.
• As needed, and when privileged, monitors client self administration of prescribed medication, provides for safe storage of medications and monitors client reaction to medication, taking appropriate action when necessary. May also provide reinforcing education on the role and effects of medication in symptom management. Attend Medication Documentation meeting at least once every six months.
• As needed, and when privileged, provides basic health teaching in areas including nutrition, exercise, dental care, substance abuse prevention, prevention of injury and illness at home and in the community, and the prevention of communicable disease, including the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and blood borne pathogens including, HIV/AIDS.
• Provides transportation as required.
• Collects and records data as required (i.e. Record of Service Hours, Medication Administration Record, and Monthly Summary).
• Participates in discharge planning and the provision of follow-along services when appropriate.
• Attends staff meetings, training, house and program meetings as directed which should include 40 hours for full-time employees and 20 hours for part-time employees).
• Ensures client and program compliance with VOACC policies and procedures.
• Ensures that assigned residential site meets the State and County regulations and VOACC safety and sanitary standards by performing the basic home maintenance care (i.e., change non-working bulbs, ensuring home cleaning and sanitation products are available and safely stored, cleaning dryer vents) and by promptly informing the maintenance needs to the Residential Coordinators.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical requirements described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself, consumers, and program supplies as necessary.
• The physical ability to travel to assigned locations, stand, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, grasp, climb, talk, see, hear and perform basic and light home maintenance activities, and operate office equipment.
• Move and lift light objects up to 30 pounds such as mail, supplies, files, and equipment.
• Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.
• The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally, ability to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

EFFECT ON END RESULT:

• Services will be provided that address clients' rehabilitative service needs.
• Clients will participate safely and more independently in activities of community life.
• VOACC policies and procedures will be implemented and programmatic requirements will be met.