Bridges Counselor II

The BRIDGES Counselor II provides a variety of billable services such as, but not limited to, housing stabilization, independent living services, employment services, behavior specialist services, and supported living services. Primary goals are to develop; maintain and improve the community skills of the consumers you are working with. This could be assisting with self-care, communication skills, community living and mobility, identifying and developing interests/strengths/weaknesses for gaining/maintaining employment, reduction /elimination of maladaptive behavior, sensory/motor development and socialization. This job description is used for staff who will be providing Employment Exploration, Empoyment Development, and Empoyment Support services in and around McLeod and Meeker Counties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Implementing and following the person-centered, positive practice behavior support plan for individuals to maintain or improve areas of independent living such as budgeting, maintaining services, meal prep/planning, employment, etc.

2. Meet or exceed direct client time target of 90% with no more than 10% indirect time (driving, training, etc.).

3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of consumer(s) history, skills, vulnerabilities, support plans and emergency procedures.

4. Understanding of service planning and person-centered planning and delivery.

5. General knowledge of social services, record keeping, reporting requirements and confidentiality.

6. Ability to create and follow plans set up for clients and uses creative ways to encourage participation.

7. If applicable, provide direct assistance, supervision and training for activities of daily living. This includes, but is not limited to: personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, grooming, nutrition, health care, support services, use of specialized equipment, etc.

8. Effectively assist clients and train in areas such as budgeting, organizing, medical appointments scheduling, and meal planning.

9. Effectively assist clients in all aspects of employment: this may include exploration (what type of work are they interested in performing), development (helping them learn skills to be a successful employee), and/or support (helping them maintain employment). Any or all of the skill building may take place on-the-job or off-site.

10. Ability to effectively communicate and use time management skills to train staff on new clients and communicate back with teams.

11. Objectively and professionally document progress with the client at the end of your shift.

12. Providing assistance with paperwork that is pertinent to continuation of services, such as Social Security paperwork.

13. Provide support and supervision as defined in each support plan, using therapeutic interventions, while ensuring consumer safety.

14. Communicate questions or concerns to the Waiver Behavior Professional, or the Behavior Analyst

15. Report improper or suspicious behavior, misconduct of co-workers, abuse or neglect of residents internally to the DOS, or externally to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center within 24 hours of becoming aware of the incident.

16. Encourage local community setting/resources by remaining within a 10 miles radius of the clients' home.

17. Assisting with setting up transportation services or learning how to utilize public transportation.

18. Ability to use a computer effectively, and complete word processing and data entry tasks.

19. Available to work flexible hours and locations, and feel comfortable driving in most weather conditions.

20. Regularly travel in the community, transport clients, and assure safe vehicle operation including all passengers wearing a seatbelt, respecting speed limits, following agency policy, maintaining current car insurance, and possessing a valid driver's license at all times.

21. Ability and willingness to follow deadlines and/or complete assignments/trainings as assigned.

22. Ability to develop and maintain professionally appropriate and respectful therapeutic relationships with each client and the client's family; ability to maintain positive working relations with staff and other related persons.

23. Maintain a clean, professional and pleasant appearance for effective role modeling to the residents.

24. Is expected to keep the schedule established with the client and follow Attendance Policy.

25. Attend all required training including mandatory staff meetings and meetings with the client's team.

26. Maintain a clean, reliable, vehicle that is in good repair and condition.

27. Possess, or willing to obtain, and sufficiently use a device that has mobile internet for client documentation and timekeeping.

28. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

An associate's degree in either a social services discipline or nursing; or have two years of supervised experience working with individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors as well as co-occurring mental disorders or neurocognitive disorder. You must be able to read, write, and speak English in a fluent manner and communicate with clients in a variety of creative ways, whether it is verbally, or visually to help assist them with gaining or improving skills for independent living. You must possess sight/hearing senses, or use of prosthetic service that will enable these senses to function adequately. You must be able to make independent decisions based upon standard policies and procedures, as well as use good judgment in day-to-day activities. Reliability and flexibility are necessary for success in this position. This position may include extended time on your feet, lifting, bending and stooping. Lifting/transferring requirements vary based on assigned caseload, but must be able to lift loads, which are not normally to exceed 50 pounds. You will be using your personal vehicle to transport clients. You must have a valid driver's license, pass an MVR check, and provide proof of insurance. You will need to pass a background check. You must have a working phone that you are able to be reached at by supervisors and clients in case of scheduling changes. You must have a portable device to download applications on for time keeping and documentation purposes.

Working conditions:

In this role, you may be subject to frequent interruptions, imposed deadlines, and will need to use frequent problem-solving skills. You may be subject to hostile and emotionally upset clients, staff and family members. You may be exposed to a variety of conditions, infectious diseases, second-hand smoke, odors, dust, cleaning products, etc. throughout the workday. You may be exposed to animals, including but not limited to dogs, cats, pet rodents, birds, or pet reptiles.