Evening Support Counselor

SUMMARY

The Evening Support Counselor shall have a baccalaureate degree or a high school diploma with at least one to two years experience working with children and/or families. The Program Supervisor shall directly supervise the Evening Support Counselor.

Serve as a positive role model for residents to observe and learn socially effective values, attitudes and behaviors. Contribute to the formulation and implementation of the resident transitional living plan. Assist with life skills learning, transportation, and administrative duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Direct Care

• Interact with all residents in accordance with the program expectations and transitional living plan.

• Maintain appropriate relationships which do not allow self-disclosure of personal or social information to residents.

• Terminate resident/staff relationship upon residents' discharge.

• Provide transportation, accompany, and directly supervise residents on outings, activities and appointments in the community.

• Contact the appropriate authorities, Police, CSB Crisis, to protect resident from harming self or others.

• Assist LSC in the facilitation of resident community meetings.

• Administer first aid to resident in response to minor medical problems.

• Notify Life Skills Coach and/or Program Supervisor of any significant resident medical complaint.

• Notify Life Skills Coach and Program Supervisor of any unusual events, accidents, medical problems, etc.

• Guide residents in personal hygiene techniques and the proper care of their condominiums.

• Demonstrate initiative, creativity and flexibility in organizing and conducting recreational activities and outings as developed by the Program Supervisor.

• Report any property damage or maintenance concern to the Program Supervisor

• Exercise fair, firm and consistent use of behavioral system.

• Supervise the administration of medications as appropriate.

• Check each condominium to ensure residents are in by curfew, working, or on an approved pass. Document all incidences of missed curfew, failure to report to work and absence without leave (AWOL) in communication log and contact the Life Skills Coach or Program Supervisor.

• Record accurate and complete information in the resident chart pertaining to: resident behavior, critical incidents, AWOLs, restrictions, unusual sleep patterns, etc.

• Assist residents in meal preparation steps.

• Guide and instruct residents in proper housekeeping and laundry procedures; review completion of weekly chores.

• Use good interpersonal communication skills to gain resident cooperation and resolve resident conflicts.

Environment

• Adhere to safety and security guidelines.
• Assist in proper use and storage of supplies, equipment, etc.
• Maintain facility in clean, safe condition.
• Report potential hazards to supervisor.

General

• Complete all shift responsibilities.

• Adhere to regular daily staff procedures as posted and/or distributed.

• Perform any other duty which may be requested but not included herein.

YouthQuest Standards

In addition to the stated duties of this position, YouthQuest expects all employees to maintain a certain standard of responsibility and conduct in the course of their work. These standards include but are not limited to the following:

Becomes familiar with and support the philosophy, goals, and objectives of YouthQuest.

Contributes to the well-being of residents by serving as a positive role model and demonstrating a caring attitude and behavior toward co-workers, residents, and guests.

Greets peers, residents, and visitors courteously.

Provides directions to residents and guests in a concise, informative manner, keeping a positive and courteous tone.

Evidences good communication skills with co-workers, residents, and visitors through a non-judgmental approach, effective listening, good eye contact, and positive interactions.

Establishes and maintains good rapport and working relationships to foster intra- and interdepartmental communications necessary for the delivery of resident care.

Answers telephone promptly and politely, giving name, company name, and asking "May I help you?"

Utilizes available methods to maintain effective communication.

Establishes and achieves realistic goals within position.

Completes assigned tasks in an accurate and timely fashion.

Participates effectively as a team member, coordinating efforts with other employees as appropriate.

Maintains assigned schedule by allowing adequate time to arrive and assume responsibilities at designated time.

Attends monthly mandatory staff meetings as well as all scheduled in-service and other required training.

Adheres to YouthQuest certification requirements, including but not limited to annual tuberculosis test/screening

Adheres to attendance standards.

Complies with appropriate dress standards.

Submits timely written requests for leave, and reports need for time off due to illness according to company standards.

Works independently to complete required tasks with minimum supervision, as appropriate.

Maintains the confidential nature of all client and company related activities.

Adheres to all facility policies and procedures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None at this time.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

The Evening Support Counselor shall have a baccalaureate degree or a high school diploma with at least one to two years experience working with children and/or families. The Program Supervisor shall directly supervise the Evening Support Counselor.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of youth or employees of an organization.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Current Virginia driver's license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the direct care and recreation duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee may occasionally be required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. In the course of transporting residents and recreational equipment, the employee is required to operate a motor vehicle, and may be required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close vision for reading, distance vision for driving, peripheral vision for driving, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus when changing activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as would be found with office machines (indoors) and automobiles or recreational equipment (outdoors).