Direct Support Counselor at Victory House, Sat & Sun 2pm - 9pm

HART United - Hamden, CT

Full-time

Hamden, CT

Social Assistance

About the position

The Direct Support Counselor will be responsible for the operation of the residential facility and the implementation of the individuals programs. The Direct Support Counselor shall provide support and guidance to the individuals and maintain a home-like atmosphere. The Direct Support Counselor will be responsible for assigning, supervising, and assisting with duties for housekeeping and general duties of the house & complete cleaning tasks, as well as providing counseling and spiritual life support. Provide assistance to the individuals in developing and maintaining appropriate living skills and cooperative interaction among the individuals.

Responsibilities

• Ensure physical safety of all individuals
• Be aware of individuals' whereabouts when at the home and away from the house
• Recognize and report any suspected incidents of abuse or neglect
• Enforce house rules with individuals
• Interact with and provide in-house leisure activities during down-time
• Providing input prior to meetings for individuals' IP goals
• Attending IP's as needed
• Implementing programs and documenting as prescribed
• Reviewing all 6-month review and annual reports
• Ensures that residents are treated with respect and dignity and they are encouraged to exercise their rights
• Supervise and provide instruction and assist or complete as needed with individuals daily and weekly chores
• Be aware of the condition of individuals rooms and prompt them when extra cleaning, sorting, etc. needs to be done
• Supervise and help prepare meals according to doctors orders
• Supervise and instruct each individual in the use of laundry equipment and proper procedures for caring for clothes
• Shopping for groceries, household items, and individual needs
• Provide counseling and/or hands on assistance for toileting, bathing, etc.
• Provide medical attention to and care for minor illnesses
• Judge seriousness and urgency of the individuals complaint and decide if the situation warrants emergency room treatment or diagnosis
• Administration of medications per DDS regulations
• Ensure appropriate use of adaptive equipment and ensure that said equipment is in proper working condition
• Order medications as needed
• Ensure individuals receive needed emergency medical care
• Schedule routine medical appointments as needed
• Transport and accompany individuals to appointments as needed
• Complete follow up recommendations/orders
• Recognize and address potentially dangerous situations in a timely manner
• Discuss the importance of attending work regularly, being on time, taking only authorized breaks, work attitudes, appropriate appearance, etc.
• Discuss vocational options and preparation needed to reach an individuals vocational goals as appropriate
• Assist, as needed, with self-transporting skills to and from work
• Transportation to and from work as needed
• Implement all recreational activities planned
• Attend and participate in required monthly staff meetings
• Communicate relevant information regarding individual/staff/facility needs to their Residential Supervisor
• Maintain individual resident files and maintain appropriate level of confidentiality
• Maintain daily documentation in various logs and reports
• Report concerns and problems from parents and family in a timely fashion to the Residential Supervisor
• Arrive to shift promptly and find coverage for shift(s) when requesting time off
• Have an interest in the welfare of the residents
• Have the ability to work well with others
• Report to, and be directly responsible to, the Residential Supervisor
• Perform other related duties as requested by the Residential Supervisor, the Residential Director, or the Executive Director

Requirements

• Maintain medication administration certification as required by State of Connecticut DDS
• Renew medication administration certification 90 days before expiration
• Must have a valid CT driver's license and be able to drive the company vehicles, including wheelchair vans
• Some programs require staff to use their own vehicle and provide proof of insurance and registration
• Attend all mandatory in-services provided by HART before their expiration date
• Maintain necessary certifications as per DDS regulations
• Ability to do daily standing, bending and lifting
• Must be able to lift 10 pounds
• Attend special meetings when specifically requested