As a Per Diem Residential Counselor, you will provide direct support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a small group residential setting or an individual living arrangement. In your role you will work together with the people we serve, their families, friends, employers, and other support staff to transform their lives by either building independence skills or increasing each person's quality of life.

Per Diem Residential Counselors have a range of duties include administrating medication under the Medication Administration Program (MAP), implementing treatment plans, and assisting people with activities of daily living, such as household chores and cooking. You also strengthen residents' connection to their community by providing transportation on outings such as shopping and doctor's appointments.

• Assist in developing, implementing, and documenting individual treatment support plans.
• Responsible for a variety of daily tasks with persons served. This includes (re)habilitative interventions, behavioral interventions and monitoring, scheduling appointments, monitoring progress, providing transportation, and other related tasks.
• Provide role model and support to persons served. Assist persons served in becoming fully integrated into their communities.
• Assess persons served physical and emotional status, and report changes to supervisor.
• Ensure program site safety and maintenance as necessary at all times. Oversee and participate in the daily living and cleaning of the program, inside and outside with persons served. This includes, but is not limited to, cooking, meal planning, grocery shopping, general housekeeping, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and garbage removal.
• Comply with all corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Store, administer, document and dispose of medication for persons served consistent with MAP requirements, funding source regulations, and Company policy.
• Complete various paperwork and logs including communication logs, community membership logs, chore schedules, timesheets, and application forms.
• Perform crisis intervention, as needed.
• Provide Relief Pool Coordinator or Human Resources staff with current contact information, including working telephone number(s), email address, and mailing address.
• Perform other related duties, as required

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.

• High school diploma or GED required. A bachelor's degree in a Human Services related field is preferred.
• Experience working with people with developmental disabilities and/or acquired brain injury strongly preferred.
• Strong time management and writing skills.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have a current, valid, US drivers' license for at least 6 months and access to a reliable, fully insured vehicle.
• Must be able to become CPR, First Aid certified within 2 weeks of employment, Safety Care certified within 90 days of employment and MAP certified within 150 days of employment. Certification trainings are offered through Vinfen upon hire.
• Must be able to successfully pass a CORI, reference, national fingerprinting and driving record check.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of required physical personal management skills
• Knowledge of required household management skills
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues• Teaching skills
• Ability to document interventions, as required
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to provide role model behaviors

Typical Requirements:

One to three months experience in a human services setting. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Preferred /Required Education:

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Driving Requirements:

May be called on to drive for Vinfen using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. 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, which is subject to annual checks. If driving, must maintain a safe driving record. If using a personal vehicle, must
possess and maintain adequate insurance.

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 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