Lead Counselor

Overview

The Lead Counselor Day Program supports management in ensuring a high-quality service environment. Provides individual and group support to persons served in the Day Program. 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 Day Program environment. Assists individuals in becoming full participants in their communities, while helping them to also develop and maintain social skills and thenecessary skills needed for job placement, both at Day Programs and within the community. 

Responsibilities

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:• Assists individuals attending Day Programs to become fully integrated into their communities, develop and maintain social skills, and develop skills needed for job placement, both at Day Programs and within the community.• 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 attending Day Programs 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 securing, maintaining, and growing in work, volunteer, and other community engagement opportunities.• Supports individuals in becoming more independent, self-advocate, and make choices that define the direction and their vision for living a good life.• Schedules staff assignments for community activities and employment activities, both in-house and in the community.• Assists in developing, implementing, and documenting treatment, including IP/PBSPs and clinical programs.• Provides transportation, as necessary. Schedules transportation runs in the morning and evening.• Procures, stores, administers, documents, and disposes of medication for individuals consistent with MAC requirements, funding source regulations, and Company policy. • Communicates with and provides information to interested parties such as program nurse, residential managers, members of the Quality Department, guardians, and DDS case managers.

• Participates in all mandated training and staff meetings, as directed by the supervisor. • Conducts follow up training with newly hired direct care staff.• Ensures compliance with all internal and external regulatory policies, procedures, and standards.• Ensures safety and maintenance of the facility. 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.• Ensures required staff to individual ratios are maintained.• Secures coverage, when necessary. Notifies APD/PD if coverage is not found. • After NEO is complete, set up site specific orientation with new relief staff assigned to Day Program. Ensure that the Relief Staff List for Day Program is up to date with current phone numbers. • Ensures all staff read and sign off on all PBSP, and all documents required in providing service to the individuals. • Functions as human rights advocate. • Provides physical intervention and/or First Aid in the event of behavior or medical emergency. • Ensures arrival and departure attendance is recorded every day of operations in Office 360.• Ensures all staff and individuals are in their assigned cohort area.• Ensures all changes to the schedule have been made by the end of the day to confirm that the schedule is accurate for that day, including where each cohort went.• Schedules vehicle maintenance and repairs as needed/required. Supervises accident reporting and ensures staff completes all needed paperwork.• Reports monthly mileage. • Serves as the program’s Medication officer. Audits all documents required to give medication during program hours.• Manages gas cards for each vehicle.• Assists staff with completing IRs, ABCs, or any required paperwork.• Supports crisis situations.• 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• 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

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 six months, 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. 

Required Certifications:CPR required within two weeks of hireFirst Aid required within two weeks of hireMedication certification required within 150 days of hireSafety Care required within 90 days of hire

Pay Range

USD $24.83 - USD $24.83 /Hr.

Compensation: 24.83 to 24.83 (USD)