Community Support Residential Counselor (Portland House)

Job Description

About Our Program

Ädelbrook’s CRS/CLA homes provide community-based residences for young adults with developmental disabilities, who require staffing assistances to better support their independence and growth. The CRS/CLA homes, located throughout the state of Connecticut, are chosen based on proximity to their loved ones’ residence to encourage as much time with their family as possible, as well as provide adjacency to their day program services/school and other community-based activities. The houses are shared living arrangements for three or four DDS individuals, designed to maximize each person’s potential with the ultimate goal of greater independence and less staffing supports.

Job Summary:

Community support counselors work within a variety of settings to maintain safety, support and teach individuals new skills and ensure the participation of a variety of activities to assist the individual in obtaining the highest level of independence possible. Provide positive reinforcement for all appropriate behaviors, social interactions and learning and give effective corrective feedback as needed. Support learning via leading by example—being a good role model in each interaction with individual/families and all staff. Assist with the Implementation of daily activities such as behavioral programming, life skills, educational services, medical appointments and leisure/recreational activities. These job duties may include working with individuals of the opposite gender.

Duties and Responsibilities:

To establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with individuals to facilitate learning. Practices the concepts of professional boundaries and consistent application of guidelines and rules.

Provides positive reinforcement for all appropriate behaviors, social interactions and learning and provides effective corrective feedback as needed.

Support learning via leading by example – being a good role model in each interaction with Individual/families and all staff as well as in the community.

Implementation of the daily activity schedule and individual programming throughout the shift and in various service settings. This includes behavioral programming, life skills, educational services, medical appointments and leisure/recreational activities. These job duties may include working with individuals of the opposite gender and groups.

Community support counselors will ensure safety for everyone in the environment by being prepared and able to implement therapeutic crisis interventions (based on individualized behavioral programs) to include hands-on physical interventions (PMT) as required.

Collects data on all programming and completes required reports in a clear, concise writing style by the end of shift.

Works in collaboration with clinical team members to assess, develop and monitor progress on established goals. May attend team meetings to offer information and make recommendations on behalf of an individual.

Works in collaboration with supervisor and agency staff to maintain a clean, safe environment including individual(s) and agency property.

Obtains and maintains required training, certifications and driver’s license with a good driving record.

Follows agency policy and procedures, works scheduled shifts and provide coverage as determined essential by supervisor. Performs other duties as assigned.

Complies with the Behavior Support Plan (BSP) at all times as well as all house and individual(s) specific required documentation.

May be mandated to maintain designated level of care within the home(s). This includes being sent to alternative CRS homes for appropriate level of supervision, medical care, and/or medication administration. In the event the employee needs to assist with medication administration at an alternate site, the employee would be expected to contact program nurse (on-call nurse after hours) for a pass & pour (or program manager) prior to administering medications if they needed additional support.

May be required to work Holidays, during inclement weather, and other times as directed by management.

Works for all CRS sites -temporarily or permanently, based on the needs of each program.

Required to successfully obtain DDS Medication Certification and comply with DDS standards to maintain DDS Medication Certification in good standing.

Will perform all other job duties as directed by the House Manager, or other members of Administrative Team.

Education, Experience, and other Qualifications:

Candidates must have a high school diploma. Additional college level credits in psychology, social work, human services, criminal justice, education or related field preferred. The ideal candidate will have at least one year’s experience working with youth with Pervasive Disability Disorders (PDD) and/or who have conditions on the Autism Spectrum (ASD) and display challenging behaviors. Experience implementing individualized behavioral programming is a plus.

Candidates will be required to attend and successfully complete a series of training (Agency Orientation, Psychological/Physical Management Training (PMT), CPR&FA, medication administration program, Risking Connections, and others required by the work location or agency. The ability to transfer the knowledge and skills gained during these training programs into practice in the work environment is essential. Experience working with an Electronic Health Record (EHR) preferred. Pre-hire, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a basic health screening (TB and drug test), DMV, DCF and criminal history checks.

Ädelbrook is committed to programs of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action. Accordingly, all decision affecting our staff are made on the basis of Ädelbrook’s mission, personnel policies and applicable state and federal laws. Decisions are made without regard to race, color, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, ancestry, veteran status, national origin, marital status or handicap.