Lead Residential Counselor (Brain Injury)

Overview

The Lead Residential Counselor BID supports management in his/her administrative role to ensure a high-quality service environment. He/she assumes the responsibilities of shift lead staff to ensure supports are delivered as designed. Provides individual and group support to persons served in their home. Teaches skills to enhance independence and self-advocacy and supports choices that contribute to living a good and meaningful life. Ensures a safe, secure, and clean residential environment. Assists individuals in becoming full participants in their communities, as well as helps develop and maintain friendships and strengthen family engagement and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Assists individuals in the home in becoming fully integrated into their communities and developing and maintaining friendships.• Assists individuals in accessing community-based support and resources. • Plans recreational and social activities that promote social inclusion and the emotional well-being of individuals in support of living a good life.• Empowers and supports individuals in the home to make choices, be a self-advocate, and be fully involved in making decisions in determining the directions of their supports and lives.• Supports individuals in the home with access to assistive technology and adaptive equipment as means to augment communication, access their communities, and generally live more independently. • Supports individuals in securing, maintaining and growing in work, volunteer, and other community engagement opportunities.• Supports individuals in the home in becoming more independent, self-advocates, and make choices that define the direction and their vision for living a good life.• Encourages and supports individuals and their involved families in maintaining strong partnership with staff and other interested parties.• Provides administrative support to the Program Director, which may include scheduling staff assignments for shift activities, training new staff, and assist overseeing clinical paperwork.• Functions as designated lead staff for all aspects of shift management and clinical programming.• Assists in developing, implementing, and documenting treatment, including ISP/PSTPs and clinical programs.• Provides training and support to individuals in the home. This includes 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. • Performs hands-on tasks in the program as required in order 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. Documents all information related to incidents, programs, and routine activities in a communication log.• Procures, stores, administers, documents, and disposes of medication for individuals consistent with MAP requirements, funding source regulations, and Company policy. • 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, as directed by the supervisor. • Assists with the orientation of new staff. • Ensures compliance with all internal and external regulatory policies, procedures, and standards.• Ensures home safety and maintenance, as necessary at all times. This includes general housekeeping, snow shoveling, and trash removal.• Complies with all corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.• Completes various paperwork and logs, including communication logs, community membership logs, and activity schedules.• Provides shift coverage, as necessary in other homes/programs, as assigned by supervisor. • Ensures required shift staff to individual ratio is maintained at all times. Assists Program Director in securing shift coverage, when necessary.• Functions as human rights advocate. Provides physical intervention and/or First Aid in the event of behavior or medical emergency. Serves as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission.• Performs other related duties, as required.

Knowledge and Skills:• Knowledge of administrative practices• Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers, management, and other stakeholders in the facilitation of supports• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment• Ability to multi-task in a time sensitive environment• Organizational skills• Demonstrate good judgment • Ability to problem solve and make decisions in stressful situations• Ability to adapt and communicate to a variety of individuals through the use of different communication styles• 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 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 required household management skills• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques

About Vinfen

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Qualifications

Typical Requirements:One to two years of experience/training in a related function. 

Preferred /Required Education:A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor’s degree preferred. 

Driving Requirements:Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least one year, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.

Physical Effort:Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living. Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed. Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility. Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. For positions in day programs or group residences, the ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.

Required Certifications:CPR required within two weeks of hireFirst Aid required within two weeks of hireMAP required within 150 days of hireSafety Care required within 90 days of hirePositive Behavioral Supports Tier II required prior to hireNET requiredMay be asked to obtain CBIS (Certified Brain Injury Specialist)

Pay Range

Salary : $23