What are the responsibilities and job description for the At-Will Residential Counselor position at City of Alexandria, VA?
Department of Community and Human Services
At-Will Residential Counselor
Overview:
Are you compassionate and committed to helping others achieve their dreams? Do you enjoy advocating for those you support? Do you enjoy connecting people to their communities? Are you committed to meeting health and safety needs and helping those you support love where they live? Are you solution oriented and enjoy working independently and in a team? Do you have experience working with individuals diagnosed with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities? If so, join our team of Direct Support Professionals. It’s our belief and mission that all our residents deserve and need to be treated with dignity and respect, to be self-directing, and to be recognized for their inherent value as a unique person.
As a member of the Residential Support Team, you will be responsible for supporting adults diagnosed with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities in a residential setting, completing assessments, writing daily progress notes, complete incident reports. The Residential Counselor or Direct Support Professional (DSP) will supervise the daily living activities of individuals in a group home setting and guide the individual in developing and implementing their person-centered plans. The Residential Counselor will perform duties within the framework of Department Policy, City of Alexandria Administrative Regulations, State Regulations, Human Rights guidelines, and applicable State Policies/Guidelines and accepted best practices. Must be available to work varying shifts, including evenings, overnights, and weekends.
What You Should Bring:
The Residential Counselor will have some knowledge of supporting adults with developmental disabilities that promote individual choice, community integration, and self-determination. Some knowledge of person-centered practices, universal language, and positive behavioral supports. Some knowledge of using strategies/techniques to facilitate the development of meaningful relationships, community connections, and recreational and social activities; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their families, and co-workers; Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing. Good knowledge of large household coordination and maintenance; Good understanding of the nature of mental illness, intellectual disabilities, or developmental delay and the role of residential support services; demonstrate empathy for the challenges of people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or developmental delay; Ability to identify behavior which indicates movement toward a crisis situation; Ability to provide instruction in basic living skills and to identify progress and learning requirements; Ability to obtain the cooperation of clients in difficult situations; Ability to use independent judgment within established policies, regulations, and guidelines.
Example of Duties:
- Supports residents in the development and implementation of an individualized service plan that reflects person centered practices;
- Instructs and guides residents in the completion of tasks to assist with the development of skills in: completion of daily living skills and tasks including personal hygiene; managing finances; planning social and leisure activities; making healthy choices for health, nutrition and safety; and accessing the community;
- Monitors medication management of residents by observation and/or administration, as applicable, and reports concerns to support team and/or supervisor;
- Monitors, evaluates and records residents’ progress through written progress notes;
- Completes all applicable assessment documents to develop person centered service plans;
- Writes progress notes and incident reports;
- Maintain clinical records following all applicable licensing and Medicaid regulations;
- Ensures interior and exterior routine cleaning, maintenance and reports repairs needed via the maintenance request system and follows up to ensure completion;
- Attends supervisory and staff meetings on a regular basis;
- Performs related work as required.
About the Department
The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety, and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse disorders.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
High School Diploma or GED plus completion of post-high-school training/education pertaining to behavioral health, medical health, substance abuse and/or mental health; at least one year of direct work experience with individuals served by the specific program where the position is located (Intellectual Disability, Mental Illness, and/or Substance Abuse/Dependence); or an equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees in this class must possess a valid driver's license issued in the state of their residence.
Preferred Qualifications
At least three (3) years of recent experience working in a residential setting with adults with developmental disabilities. Must possess basic computer skills; The ability to work nights, weekends, holidays when required.
Notes
This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment checks, including an FBI Criminal Record Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Drug Testing; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; Driver's License from the state of residence; and education/certifications.
**This position requires availability between the hours of 9am-5pm for 15 business days (upon hiring) for Training.**
Requires flexibility, including availability for evening, overnight, weekends, holidays and inclement weather and must work at minimum 1 shift per month to remain active.
Schedule:
Possible Hours & Shifts:
Weekdays (Monday through Friday) – 6:00am – 2:00pm / 3:00pm – 11:00pm
Weekends (Saturday & Sunday) – 7:00am – 3:00pm / 9:00am – 9:00pm / 3:00pm – 11:00pm
Overnights (Sunday through Saturday) – 11:00pm – 7:00am / 12:00am – 8:00am
The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.