Direct Care 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 :

The Direct Care Counselor (DCC) provides guidance, supervision, mentoring and life skills training to adolescent females residing in the Therapeutic Group Home.

The DCC ensures maintenance of a healthy, therapeutic milieu and sound, trauma-informed treatment-focused therapeutic activities.

This is a non-exempt, full-time position that reports to the Co-Supervisors, or to the Program Director in the Co-Supervisors’ absence.

The Counselor’s schedule may include mandatory overtime and shifts on Saturdays and / or Sundays.

Duties and Responsibilities :

• Monitors residents’ behavior and teaches behavior and anger management techniques to the residents, using the agency’s trauma-informed treatment philosophy.
• Records and reports client behavior data using appropriate logs and other documentation. Including but not limited to : Milieu Notes, Resident Daily Logs, and Q-15 Record.
• Manages and intervenes in critical incidents using the least restrictive PMT intervention.
• Provides one-to-one mentoring to residents, as necessary or directed.
• Provides planning and programming assistance to the Co-Supervisors, Clinician, and Program Director when requested.
• Transports residents to off-grounds activities and appointments in agency vehicles when necessary.
• Attends all Ädelbrook required trainings, Group Home Staff meetings and functions and participates in therapy groups, as directed.
• Provides life-skills training to the residents as directed by the Co-Supervisors, Clinician or Program Director.
• Perform household cleaning and meal preparation (ex. portioning food, defrosting or preparing meals for the following day) assigned by the Co-Supervisors.

Direct Care 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.

• Serves as an exemplary role model to the residents and other staff members.
• Will participate and cooperate with any agency investigation as asked.
• Follow established procedures regarding all illnesses, emergencies, fire alarms, etc. per agency (i.e. calling chain of command, filling out an 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 when unoccupied, ensuring windows are locked).
• Enter all unusual activity inside and outside the home in the Communication Log, along with following chain of command, filling out internal critical reports, and calling DCF Careline if necessary.
• Communicate daily with direct care staff, taking note of any special instructions, residents’ status, number of residents present, illnesses and special needs.
• Performs other duties, including mandatory overtime, as requested by the Co-Supervisors, Clinician, Program Director, Nurse, or other administrative staff.
• It is important to note that a DCC works for the TGH department as a whole and may be required to work at another TGH house at any time.

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.

The ability to work with residents and other employees of diverse ethnic, educational, religious and economic backgrounds is requisite.

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.