Residence Counselor The Residence Counselor provides direct rehabilitative, supportive, and residential services to adults residing in H.O.G.A.R., Inc.'s Ariel Congregate Treatment Community Residence. Ariel is a 24-hour residential program that provides housing, supervision, three meals per day, and rehabilitative services to individuals with mental health needs. The program is designed to assist residents in developing and strengthening the skills necessary to live as independently as possible within the community. Residence Counselors work directly with residents to identify their individual needs, strengths, preferences, and goals and assist them in developing the skills and community supports necessary to achieve greater independence. Services are recovery-oriented, person-centered, and focused on community integration, daily living skills, symptom management, socialization, self-advocacy, and preparation for transition to a more independent or supportive housing setting when appropriate. Residence Counselors maintain an assigned caseload and work as members of the interdisciplinary program team. Residence Counselors are expected to maintain working knowledge of mental health and co-occurring substance-use needs, person-centered and recovery-oriented practices, resident rights, OMH requirements, agency policies and procedures, emergency procedures, infection control, and other requirements applicable to the program. The position is Monday - Friday, 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM.Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Resident Engagement and Support Admissions and Intake Assessment of Resident Needs Individualized Service Planning Service Plan ReviewPerson-Centered Services Progress Documentation Case Record Maintenance Rehabilitative Services Activities of Daily Living Community Integration Transportation and Appointments Linkage and Coordination of Services Collaboration with Providers Medication Support Symptom Management and Recovery Crisis Intervention Resident Safety and Supervision Resident Rights and Advocacy Discharge and Transition Planning Housing Readiness Socialization and Recreation Meal Preparation and Meal Service Food Shopping and Supplies Food Safety and Sanitation Resident Participation in Meal-Related Skills Special Dietary Needs Program Environment Shift Responsibilities Shift Communication Case Conferences and Team Meetings Family and Collateral Involvement Co-Occurring Substance-Use NeedsHealth and Wellness Incident Reporting Mandated Reporting Resident Confidentiality Professional Boundaries Orientation of New Staff Training and Professional DevelopmentCPR/First Aid and Emergency Preparedness Regulatory Compliance24-Hour Program Coverage Other Duties Service Planning and Qualification Limitations Residence Counselors may participate in admission, assessment, service planning, progress documentation, and discharge planning as authorized by the program. Any function that OMH requires to be completed, reviewed, approved, or signed by a Qualified Mental Health Staff Person shall only be performed by a Residence Counselor who independently meets the applicable OMH qualification requirements or by another appropriately qualified staff member.
Minimum Qualifications:- High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Diploma required.
- Minimum of two years of relevant experience working in mental health, human services, residential services, social services, rehabilitation, or a related setting preferred/required in accordance with agency staffing requirements.
- Experience working with adults with serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance-use needs strongly preferred.
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
- Ability to complete required documentation accurately and within established timeframes.
- Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary residential team.
- Ability to respond calmly and appropriately to emergencies and crisis situations.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule within a 24-hour residential program, including evenings, overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays as assigned.
- Required Training/Certifications
- Residence Counselors must complete and maintain all agency and program-required training, which may include:
- CPR and First AidMandated Reporter/Justice Center training
- Incident reporting
- Infection control
- Fire safety and emergency preparedness
- Medication-related training applicable to the employee's role
- Resident rights
- Mental health and recovery-oriented practices
- Crisis prevention/intervention
- Food safety and sanitation as applicable to assigned meal responsibilities
- Other training required by H.O.G.A.R., OMH, or applicable regulatory authorities
- Physical and Operational Requirements
The Residence Counselor must be able to perform the essential functions of the position within a community residential environment, including moving throughout the residence, accompanying residents into the community, responding to emergencies, assisting with household and meal-related responsibilities, and performing other duties associated with operating a 24-hour residential program, with reasonable accommodation where required by law.
