Awake Night Counselor (Potters House)

Job Description

Job Description

About Our Program

Our therapeutic group homes provide trauma-informed services and skill building to young women. Residents receive intensive psychiatric treatment for complex trauma within a developmental framework.

Up to five girls ranging in age from 14 to 20 live in each home. The treatment plans are carefully tailored to meet the needs of each individual.

The programs provide a transitional home for the girls as they move from acute inpatient or out-of-state care to successful community living.

Job Summary :

Provide guidance, supervision, and security to residents residing in the Therapeutic Group Home during the third shift. Ensure maintenance of a healthy, therapeutic milieu and sound, trauma informed treatment.

Reports to the Direct Care Supervisor. This position is full-time and non-exempt. The Counselor’s schedule may include mandatory overtime and shifts on Saturdays and / or Sundays.

Duties and Responsibilities :

• Monitor residents’ behavior and teach behavior and anger management techniques to the residents, using the agency’s trauma-informed treatment philosophy.
• Communicate daily with direct care staff, taking note of any special instructions, residents’ status, number of residents present, illnesses and special needs.
• Complete repeated bed checks throughout shift (at minimum, every 15 minutes) to make sure all are present and accounted for and ensure the wellbeing of all residents.
• If the night report indicates an early "awake" time, ensure that the resident is up on time to fulfill responsibilities (van to school, internship, etc.

Help prepare breakfast to early wake ups as necessary.

• Manages and intervenes in critical incidents using the least restrictive PMT intervention.
• Provides one-to-one mentoring to residents, as necessary or directed.
• Follow established procedures regarding all illnesses, emergencies, fire alarms, etc. per agency (i.e. calling chain of command, filling out a internal critical report, calling DCF Careline when necessary).
• Secure the entire Group Home. Check security inside the building and the grounds (i.e. locking exterior doors when leaving program, making sure medication room and staff office are locked with unoccupied, ensuring windows are locked).
• Enter all unusual activity inside and outside the home in the Communication Log. Enter all pertinent information on night reports.
• Perform household cleaning and meal preparation (ex. portioning food, defrosting or preparing meals for the following day) assigned by the Co-Supervisors.

Awake Night Counselors are expected to clean and maintain a clean household environment, along with following a recipe as outlined in the planned menu and cooking said recipe.

• Attend all Ädelbrook required trainings, including staff meetings, PMT, CPR, First Aid, DCF Medication Administration Certification, documentation, and other agency required annual trainings.
• Display exemplary role modeling on the job and when in contact with the children being served.
• Will participate and cooperate with any agency investigation as asked.
• ANC will be responsible for adhering to DCC Job Description when working first or second shift.
• It is important to note that an ANC works for the TGH department as a whole and may be required to work at another TGH house at any time.
• Perform other duties as assigned by either of the Co-Supervisors, Clinician, Program Director or Nurse.

Education, Experience and other Qualifications :

A high school diploma is required. An Associate Degree or BS / BA degree in psychology, social work, criminal justice or another human services field is preferred.

At least one year of experience working with seriously emotionally disturbed youth, preferably in a residential setting, preferred.

Experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and / or trauma also preferred. The incumbent must know and be able to apply the agency’s trauma-informed treatment philosophy and be able to maintain certification in PMT, CPR, First Aid and DCF Medication Administration.

A valid driver’s license, clean driving record and insurance coverage through the agency’s insurance carrier must be maintained.

This is an "awake" position, and sleeping on the job is a violation of agency policy. Ideally, the Awake Night Counselor has worked third shift previously and has proven his / her ability to remain awake while on duty.

The ability to work collaboratively with other employees with diverse educational, economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds is requisite, as is the willingness to work in a high demand work situation which requires flexibility and innovation.

Ädelbrook is committed to programs of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action. Accordingly, all decision affecting our staff are made on the basis of Ädelbrook’s mission, personnel policies and applicable state and federal laws.

Decisions are made without regard to race, color, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, ancestry, veteran status, national origin, marital status or handicap.