Major Responsibilities:  

1. ​​​Assists with the client admission process by completing all required documentation accurately, as required.  Searches clients and their belongings for contraband upon admission and as required.  

2. Serves as a residential counselor using recovery-oriented principles for specified number of residents as directed. Works as part of a team to create a safe therapeutic milieu by fostering a culture of recovery.  

3. ​Implements treatment plans; interventions and properly document using progress/service notes.  

​4. Works with clients to assist with activities of daily living (ADL’s) which may personal hygiene and self-care skills, laundry, money management and budgeting, symptom management, relapse prevention, use of public transportation, problem solving and conflict resolution, and other interventions as necessary.  

​5. Ensures healthy menu planning, food shopping, and meal preparation through coordination and assistance. MYR is excluded from this responsibility.  

6. ​Monitors clients’ medication, refills, documentation of medications and changes, assists with attending appointments, and safe storage. MYR is excluded from this responsibility.  

7. ​Works with clients to maintain the residence on a daily basis including chores, bedroom upkeep, yard, and other light housekeeping duties.  

Specialty Responsibilities:  

MYR:  

1. Monitors clients that “elope” from the program.  

Relief:   

1. Relief counselor serves as a temporary residential counselor as requested by supervisor  

Flexible Substitute Worker:   

1. An employee that is available to work covering shifts in any program  

2. Hours range from 0-40 hours per week with no regular schedule or set number of hours per week  

3. Provides a flexible consistent pool of employees that provide coverage when permanent employees take their leave time or when a position is temporarily vacant.

Awake Overnight:  

1. Monitors and documents medication as needed.   

2. Prepares daily log entries, incident reports and other necessary paperwork.   

3. Conducts fire drills as requested and document results.   

Standard Staffing Level Responsibilities:   

1. Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives. 

2. Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed. 

3. Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations. 

4. Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements. 

5. Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients, and visitors. 

6. Maintains, regular, reliable, and predictable attendance. 

7. Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed. 

All responsibilities are essential job functions. 

Position Qualifications: 

License/Certification/Education: 

Required: 

1. Grade C02: Residential Counselor I: Minimum of a high school diploma/GED/HiSet required.
2. Grade C04: Residential Counselor II: Requires a Bachelor’s degree; preferably in the field of psychology or human services.

3. Driving Requirements:
a. For Faith House, Beryl's House, and Orchard Street: Current valid US-Issued driver's license; 
b. For Adult Community Clinical Svcs (ACCS) Div: All programs require a current valid US-issued driver’s license and a registered, inspected, and insured automobile for work related purposes including transporting clients in a personal vehicle [or a company vehicle.]; 
c. For MYR (Motivating Youth Recovery), Detox, TSS (Transitional Support Services), CSS (Clinical Stabilization Service), CSU (Crisis Stabilization Units), and ATS (Acute Treatment Services): Driving is not a requirement.

4. Must be able to pass a CORI background check.

5. MYR, Beryl’s House, Faith House, Orchard Street: Must be able to pass a CORI (Criminal Offender Background Check) and a DCF/CPS (Department of Families Adam Walsh/Child Protective Services background check).

Preferred: 

1. Associate’s Degree. 

2. If working in a Substance Use Program, certification in addiction counseling or a minimum of two (2) years of experience in the substance abuse field. 

Experience/Skills: 

Required: 

1. ​Demonstrates person centered strength-based communication and relationship with Persons.   

​2. Demonstrates effective communication with staff, peers, and other professionals.   

3. ​Ability to observe, document, teach, and respond to mental and physical health as well as other needs of clients such as community living skills. 

 Preferred: 

1. Previous human service experience.

2. If working in a Substance Use Program, understanding of addiction and recovery. 

Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements. 

Department-specific competencies and their measurements will be developed and maintained in the individual departments. The competencies will be maintained and attached to the departmental job description. Responsible managers will review competencies with position incumbents.