POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Clinical Housing Manager and Senior Clinical Housing Manager, the Residential Counselor works with and provides supervision for chronically mentally ill adults living in a 24-hr community residential facility (CRF) with the goals of increasing residents’ competence and independent use of skills deemed critical to reaching their overall rehabilitation goal in residential and social settings. The residential counselor works a 13 hour (AM/PM) rotating shift.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

New/Transfer Resident Move In and Orientation

• Establish and maintain an effective supportive relationship with residents which includes speaking and supporting residents in a friendly, respectful, and welcoming, manner at all times.
• Follow established protocols for all new residents to get them acclimated to the residence.
• Conducts orientation for residents transitioning in the homes under the CRF program and ensures completion of required forms.
• Reviews the expectations for all residents and assists with integration into the CRF Program as indicated by treatment plan or house rules.
• Works collaboratively and in an effective manner with clinical staff, Clinical Housing Manager/Senior Clinical Housing Manager, network members, and co-workers.

Resident Medication Monitoring

• Ensures the safe and secure storage of all medications.
• Monitors patient self-administration of medications.
• Documents medication administered, any missed dosage, or medication shortages in the medications record (MAR) in accordance with Community Connections medication policy and procedures.
• Identifies and communicates any irregularities in established procedures, medication shortages, resident non-compliance, or discrepancies immediately upon finding to the Clinical Housing Manager and Senior Clinical Housing
• Supervises residents in medication compliance to include knowledge of the medication each resident is

Resident Education & Life Skill Support

• Assist residents in developing relevant life skills.
• Promote residents’ engagement through skill building and recreational activities.

Resident Safety, De-escalation, Crisis Prevention

• Employs de-escalation and crisis prevention intervention techniques for behavioral and/or psychiatrically challenging resident events.
• Make sound judgments and knows when to ask for assistance from clinical staff, CRF management, and emergency personnel.
• Clearly documents any behavioral crisis or emergency event in the MAR and provides follow up communication as necessary.
• Conducts nightly 2-hour room check during PM shifts in accordance with Community Connections policy and procedures.

Treatment Planning Process

• Participate in treatment planning conferences as directed by Clinical Housing Manager or Senior Clinical Housing
• Follow specific plans for residents as outlined in treatment plan.
• Report resident's progress and compliance with treatment plan and suggest modifications.

Residential Cleaning and General Facility Maintenance

• Maintain cleanliness at the residence and surrounding property as outlined in a daily checklist.
• Ensures residence is adequately stocked with household supplies.
• Perform a physical walk-thru of the residence at each change of shift with on-coming staff.
• Provides oversight and and/or assistance to resident in completing chores and maintaining a clean personal area.
• Perform common maintenance and housekeeping tasks to ensure the upkeep of the residence.
• Report repairs to Clinical Housing Coordinator/ Clinical Housing Manager/Senior Clinical Housing
• Perform monthly fire drills and provides supporting written documentation.

Administrative

• Manage petty cash fund in accordance to Community Connections policy/procedure manual.
• Management of Residents’ Personal Funds (if required) as outlined in policy/procedure manual.
• Completes written progress notes at the end of each shift for each resident, unusual incident reports and house logs.
• Complies with Community Connections Residential Staff mandatory training policy. Including 36 hours of training on an annual basis.
• Ensure that required documentation (e.g. CPR, First Aid, Medical Certification, Food Sanitation permit, etc.) is kept current and on file at worksite.

In addition to role responsibilities, each staff member of Community Connections has the following responsibilities as a part of their employment:

• Models and reinforces Community Connections mission to provide behavioral health, residential services, and primary health care coordination for marginalized and disenfranchised women, men, youth, and children living in the District of Columbia, many of whom are coping with challenges including mental illness, addiction, and the aftermath of trauma and abuse.
• Models and reinforces Community Connections values of quality, innovation, respect, equity, and integrity daily.
• Reinforces Community Connection’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Protects the privacy of our consumer’s protected health information by maintaining compliance with HIPAA and other relevant CC related IT security regulations.
• Completes and stays current on role specific and organizational wide training.
• Performs other duties as assigned on an as-needed basis.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 3 years’ experience working with the chronically mentally ill and/or dual diagnosed adult required
• Certification in First Aid, CPR, BLS required and must remain current.
• Current Food Sanitation certification required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrates a strong knowledge of psychotropic and medical medications (including use, generic names and side effects) to adequately monitor what medication the resident is taking.
• Ability to approach others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own
• Proficient in the usage of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Ability to approach others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own
• Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• May need to work untraditional work hours such as weekends, evenings, observed holidays, and nights.
• This is an essential or critical position which will require reporting to a physical work location or making visits to consumers in the community as defined by the business needs of Community Connections, Inc
• This is a position which may report to work under an office occasional model as defined by the business needs of Community Connections, Inc