Residential Care Counselor

Summary :

Responsible for the care and safety of assigned children. As a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team assumes primary residential care counselor role.

Responsible for input into the formulation of a therapeutic residential treatment plan and the implementation observation and documentation of this program under the direction of the Residential Care Supervisor.

Responsibilities :

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Participates in maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment.

• Participates in the development and operationalization of the residential care plan for assigned children according to established Department and Program-based procedure and policy.
• Maintains and documents level of child observation as ordered by the physician or Program Director each shift.
• Supervises assigned children in daily routines and assists with activities of daily living.
• Identifies reports and actively resolves potential / actual problems in the Program.
• Demonstrates appropriate critical incident follow-up skills by timely verbal reporting to Residential Care Supervisor or Nursing Supervisor / Program Nurse and documentation in childs chart.
• Intervenes in disruptive milieu or destructive to self / other child situations providing timely therapeutic intervention(s).

Adheres to Hospital Departmental and Program policies and procedures.

• Attends Program meetings as assigned.
• Maintains current certification in crisis management.
• Maintains current CPR certification.
• Maintains current ERS Safety & OSHA certifications.
• Attends Program staff development meetings as assigned.
• Consistently follows all Hospital and Departmental policies and procedures.
• Consistently follows all Program-based policies and procedures.

Actively participates in the residential child care planning process under the direction of the Residential Care Supervisor.

• Participates in the initial admission interview process as assigned.
• Works to support initial therapeutic alliance with child and family on admission.
• Completes initial milieu assessment within a 24 hour period. Develops initial problem list and residential care plan within 24 hours of admission.
• Reviews residential care plan and problem list on a daily basis revising as necessary.
• Communicates individual child residential treatment plans in an ongoing manner to other Program staff including liaison with other multidisciplinary treatment providers.
• Actively participates in DPCs treatment team and shift report.
• Is aware of Program QA indicators and responsibilities related to such.
• Accurately documents significant child / family observations / milieu treatment in the childs chart in a timely fashion.
• Offers information and knowledge acquired through experience to other staff via formal / informal staff development forums.

Supports and contributes to the development of residential care plans / behavioral management.

• Assists and teaches child in activities of daily living and personal hygiene based upon childs level of competence.
• Demonstrates ability to set consistent and supportive therapeutic limits within guidelines of Hospital Program and Department standards.
• Institutes behavioral programs specific to the needs of the child in collaboration with off-line clinicians.
• Participates and assists in organizing Program activities.
• Consistently models to children / families appropriate and therapeutic interpersonal staff / child interactions.
• Supports and participates in recreation therapy program
• Handles crisis situations in a safe effective manner utilizing the least restrictive safe patient care alternative.
• Takes the initiative to seek formal / informal supervision incorporating suggestions for improvement / changes in job performance.

Other information : BASIC KNOWLEDGE :

BASIC KNOWLEDGE :

Baccalaureate Degree in a Human Service field. Other education and experience considered and may be substituted for

educational requirements at the discretion of the Hiring Manager.

Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span with consideration of aging processes human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

EXPERIENCE :

Six months to one year of direct child care work with emotionally impaired youth.

Current Bradley Hospital Crisis Management certification or enrollment in Bradley Hospital course.

Current CPR certification.

Current ERS Safety & OSHA certification.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY :

None