Residence Counselor

POSITION SUMMARY

Fountain House's housing program provides a sense of safety and stability, ensuring that (individuals living with mental illness(es) our "members" remain housed; establish a safe space for recovery; develop independent living skills; increase their self-sufficiency and build a strong foundation from which they can achieve their life goals.

Our Residential Counselors (RC) will provide exemplary care and support to our member residents. We strive to create a safe, caring, and collaborative community where our members will thrive and achieve their goals by providing support to members' daily lives.

Pay: $22.36 per hour

Schedule: Monday to Thursday 10pm to 8am

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Member Support

• Engage and support members with apartment maintenance and cleanliness, training in necessary tasks for the upkeep of the residence environment and personal well-being of resident members
• Participate in an integrated care team providing feedback, advocacy and support to FH clinical staff, case management support staff, vocational staff, and social practitioners
• Assist members with all aspects of community support services and case management work (including housing and entitlements, clinical linkage, and follow-up, etc.)
• Support a caseload between three- four members-member's list assignment is up to four depending on census
• Complete weekly progress notes for each assigned member in accordance with the guidelines of the Office of Mental Health (OMH)
• Develop Service Plans and complete Service Plan Reviews every 3-months for each assigned member in accordance with the guidelines Office of Mental Health (OMH)
• Observe the self-administration of member's medication and document on the medication monitoring sheets
• Accompany members with medical appointments, clubhouse visits, and community engagements
• Oversee and assist members with activities of daily life skills (ADL) that includes cleaning, proper hygiene, medication management skills, money management, fire safety, cooking, etc.
• Conduct rounds to ensure safeguards are in place throughout residential space, for member safety
• De-escalate potential member crises and alert supervisor of ongoing issues when necessary
• Liaise with social practitioners to encourage consistent unit attendance for positive social wellbeing
• Create problem-solving strategies to address member crises

Building Safety & Maintenance

• Conduct rounds to ensure safeguards are in place throughout residential space, for member safety
• Request work orders for building maintenance that adhere to city and state guidelines, including fire safety drills, and keeping maintenance logs

General Duties

• Transport members to community activities or medical appointments per request
• Responsible for reception duties of the residence including answering the phones, scheduling, and taking accurate messages
• Attend staff meetings and professional development training as required
• Other duties may be assigned as needed

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and keeping member confidentiality
• Excellent communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with external providers such as physicians, social security, and Medicaid providers
• Proven writing skills for accurate documentation and progress notes
• Excellent computer and software proficiency (MS Office - Word, Excel, and Outlook) required
• Experience with AWARDS database (EHR) for progress notes and documentation preferred
• Must be able to work under pressure during a crisis
• Able to meet deadlines for documentation and any other necessary duties
• Must be able to work independently, multitask and conduct assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices
• Positive, energetic, dynamic, and engaging demeanor is essential
• Experience and capacity to work with members experiencing mental health issues

REQUIRED EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND CREDENTIALS

• Undergraduate degree required or an equivalent work experience and training in similar settings required
• 1-3+ years' work experience in a residential, housing, or similar setting required
• Provide exceptional ongoing support and member confidentiality
• Flexible and able to work any residential shift, including evenings and weekends, as needed
• Valid Driver's License highly preferred, not required