Residential Counselor Job Description
Residential Counselor Duties & Responsibilities
To write an effective residential counselor job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included residential counselor job description templates that you can modify and use.
Sample responsibilities for this position include:
Residential Counselor Qualifications
Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.
Licensing or Certifications for Residential Counselor
List any licenses or certifications required by the position: CPR, CPI
Education for Residential Counselor
Typically a job would require a certain level of education.
Employers hiring for the residential counselor job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and Collage Degree in Human Services, Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Sociology, Social Services, Criminal Justice, Associates, Education, Computer
Skills for Residential Counselor
Desired skills for residential counselor include:
Desired experience for residential counselor includes:
Residential Counselor Examples
Residential Counselor Job Description
- May provide and or assist in food preperation and cleanliness of the program
- Meets with assigned consumers at least once weekly to discuss progress
- Assists consumers with identifying and achieving personal goals
- Assists consumers with identifying and implementing long and short-term goals
- Attends AURD, treatment team and all other scheduled meetings as deemed appropriate
- Performs and coordinates general counseling responsibilities, such as conducting psycho-educational groups or coordinating milieu related meetings (community meeting, meditation)
- Assists clients in completion of counseling assignments (therapy assignments, step work)
- Provide one-on-one supervision of at-risk clients (AMA risk, suicidal ideation, ) according to protocol and per supervisor directive
- Assists with admission and discharge process, including completion of related documentation (orientation, contraband and medication forms, discharge paperwork)
- Provides empathic, supportive approach to all client interactions by acting as a sounding board for the individual
- Previous psychiatric experience with children and adolescent in an inpatient program or residential center is highly preferred
- Thorough and working knowledge of current best practice treatment for
- Thorough and working knowledge of accepted best practice protocols and ethical guidelines and behaviors for counselors
- Ability to recognize, assess, and initiate treatment for members with co-occurring issues
- Ability to utilize de-escalation skills and direct/support others in behavioral interventions
- 1 year experience assisting individuals with disabilities or completion of Human Services training program preferred
Residential Counselor Job Description
- Participates in milieu related meetings (i.e., level change, house meetings)
- Assists clients in completion of counseling assignments (therapy assignments, step work, ) and provide one-on-one supervision of at-risk clients (AMA risk, suicidal ideation, ) according to protocol and per supervisor directive
- Conduct continuous interpretation and evaluation of the progress of students’ specific development program
- Serve as chairperson of the performance evaluation team
- Oversees the Residential Counselors in their review of detailed background files, conducting personal interviews and the recommendion a program for each assigned student
- Provides guidance to Residential Counselors, students, to achieve a positive attitude and proper behavior in the dormitory living situation, and to accomplish their goals and objectives
- Reviews determinations and recommendations for student visits to the counselor and health staff as appropriate
- Supervises, directs, and monitors dorm and student activities, as designated, including dorm government and peer court
- Serves as CDO in the absence of Dormitory Supervisor/Manager as assigned by management
- Assists with dorm and recreational activities both on and off Center
- One (1) year experience with substance abuse, psychiatric or trauma patients, preferred
- Must have high level of interpersonal skills, as this position continually requires demonstrated professionalism, tact, and diplomacy
- Driving is an essential job responsibility
- Incumbent must be accepted by agency insurance
- MVR must meet the required agency standards
- Must be CPR/First Aid certified on date of employment and maintain current certification throughout employment
Residential Counselor Job Description
- Directs students and assists in the cleanup and maintenance of the dormitory
- Identifies and communicates dorm maintenance needs to dorm supervisor or designee
- Assists the Residential Counselors with conducting continuous interpretation and evaluation of the progress of students’ specific development program
- May serve as chairperson of the performance evaluation team
- Conducts intense counseling services to students in first 60 days
- Monitors student progress in the program by ensuring compliance with established corporate and DOL Data Integrity guidelines
- Cultivates and maintains a positive Center climate that is free of harassment, intimidation, and disrespect, in order to provide a safe place for staff and students to work and learn
- Ensures each dormitory deliver quality services to ensure that a 3% WTR will be maintained
- Analyzes other data to determine where problems may exist and resolves them
- Maintains students’ files
- Must be CPR/First Aid certified on date of employment and maintain certification throughout employment
- Minimum 6 months experience working with dually diagnosed individuals preferred
- Must comply with drug-free workplace guidelines
- Must have a valid California Driver’s License and be insurable by The Companies’ Insurance Company to drive Canyon vehicles and transport clients – a DMV Driving Record must be submitted and approved by The Companies’ Insurance Company (this is a required condition of employment)
- 6 months experience working with dually diagnosed individuals preferred
- Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation services
Residential Counselor Job Description
- Evaluation of Student Progress
- Oversees the Residential Counselors in their review of detailed background files, conducting personal interviews and the recommending of a plan for each assigned student
- Oversees Residential Counselors group sessions with students
- Serves as CDO as assigned by management
- Notifies other staff to coordinate services by memo, phone, or personal conversation
- Student’s folders present and up-to-date history of the services provided to ensure the student is successful in the attainment of both long and short-term goals
- Conduct patient assessments and establish therapy treatment goals
- Assists with planning and leading Adventure Therapy activities at the Outpatient Center Michael's House Treatment Center
- Facilitate weekly education groups
- Provide assigned patient counseling services and case management
- Professional verbal and written skills for communicating the patient status and treatment needs to clients, families, professionals, paraprofessional employees of the hospital
- Able to maintain professional records and patient confidentiality and ability to maintain professional relationships with staff and patients and knowledge of Special Treatment Procedures
- Good judgment and problem-solving skills during situations that require application of policy, procedure, and treatment recommendations to novel situations
- Prefer two years’ work experience in psychiatric treatment setting with children and adolescents
- 80-90% of the time, the incumbent is standing, walking, kneeling, or reaching while working with patient
- Must possess a current, valid driver’s license and have the ability to obtain a Class B license
Residential Counselor Job Description
- Utilize appropriate teaching methods and/or referral sources
- Coordinate patient's discharge planning needs and readiness for discharge with other healthcare members
- Provide support to one of the programs as needed
- Provide structure and supervision in support of the resident's Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP)
- Communicate with residents and develop and reinforce daily living skills
- Supervise and participate in daily activities and assesses the daily functioning of the residential programs
- Co-lead therapeutic and community groups as directed and document end of shift notes for residents
- Monitors and documents the progress and accountability of OCT and nonresidential students
- Maintains relationships with off center training personnel to ensure academic success and continued enrollment throughout Job Corps matriculation
- Facilitates the application process for the Off Center Training Program
- Minimum of 1 year experience in healthcare field
- Understanding of diagnostic criteria for dual conditions and ability to conceptualize modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care
- Current California Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) required
- Minimum of one (1) years’ experience working in a behavioral health setting required
- Experience with individuals with co-occurring disorders strongly preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or Criminal Justice field