Direct Support Professional/Resident Counselor

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Menorah Park Group Residences, the Residence Counselor is responsible for working with Consumers to foster a nurturing, positive and supportive living environment while following Consumer Service Plans to attain/maintain the Consumers highest level of independence and meeting Service Plan goals. The role requires a detail oriented, customer focused, compassionate, patient, individual who can handle the physical and emotional demands of supporting those with special needs.

Key Job Responsibilities

Residence Counselor

Consumer support: Supports Consumers and provides direct oversight with completing personal hygiene, including bathing, grooming, oral care, toileting, dressing and undressing, along with communication, interpersonal and leisure actives. Assists and/or monitors therapeutic activities such as physical exercises, occupation arts and crafts, and recreational games. Follows the consumer service plan goals to attain the highest level of independence possible. Accompanies and transports individuals on shopping and recreation trips and provides instruction and assistance as needed. May be required to provide transportation in personal vehicle on occasion.

• Feeding Assistance: Help consumers maintain nutritional needs, including meal prep, set up, clean up, feeding assistance as needed, and monitoring and documenting dietary intake.
• Medication Administration: Administers, supervises and/or monitors administration of medications as prescribed by physician.
• Observation and Reporting: Observe residents for any changes in condition and promptly report these to the Director. Identifies consumers in crisis and takes immediate, and appropriate action to assist or deescalate the situation avoiding injury to self or others.
• Documentation: Observes and documents individual's performance and behaviors to facilitate assessment and development of service goals. Provides timely, accurate documentation of care provided and medication administration.
• Emotional Support: Provide companionship, engagement, and offers emotional support to consumers. Foster a caring, respectful, dignified environment.
• Infection Control: Follows all infection control protocols, including hand hygiene and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Environment Maintenance: Assist in maintaining a clean, safe, comfortable, homelike environment for consumers, including changing linens, light housekeeping duties, and laundry.
• Team Collaboration: Work collaboratively with all team members to include; co-workers, management staff, medical staff, families, consumer, their counselor and coaches to ensure the consumer's goal are understood and worked towards in a collaborative wholistic approach.
• Safety: Adheres to all emergency procedures and safety plans. Maintains CPR/First Aid certification and competency in Conscious Choking.
• Communication: Communicates effectively and appropriately with Consumers, families, visitors, contractors, management and co-workers. Demonstrates conflict resolution and problem-solving skills following the Chain of Command.
• Role model: Serves as positive role model for consumers. Interacts with others in a way which will assist Consumers in developing behaviors, skills, and attitudes necessary for successful community living. Maintains neat appearance, hygiene and grooming.
• Compliance: Adhere to all facility policies, procedures, and regulations, including those related to job duties, consumer rights, privacy, confidentiality, and abuse reporting.
• Continuing Education: Attends all required in-services, meetings and fulfills any organizational compliance or regulatory requirements for this job function.

Completion of all other duties as assigned by the Director.

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Able to speak, read and write in English.
• Valid NY State Driver's license free from any violations, accident or infractions
• Ability to repetitively transfer, lift, move and turn a consumer to and from bed, wheelchair, toilet, tub and shower.
• Must be able to repetitively lift 26-50 pounds and push/pull 250 pounds.
• Able to operate common household appliances and equipment.
• Exposure to communicable disease with ability to fit test for an N95 respirator.
• CPR/First Aid Certification
• AMAP Certification within probationary period

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply