Residential Adult Counselor - Relief

POSITION TITLE: Residential Adult Counselor - "Relief"

PROGRAM/LOCATION: Adult Transitional Program / San Luis Obispo

Position Summary

“Recovery can only take place within the context of relationships” –Judith Lewis Herman

The Adult Transitional Program (ATP) is a trauma aware transitional housing program that provides 24/7 support to adults with mental illness in a home-like setting. This home is located in downtown San Luis Obispo and houses up to 12 people.

Residential Adult Counselors (RAC) provide comprehensive and supportive care to the residents. Interactions are based on trauma informed practices including; safety, power of choice, collaboration, trustworthiness and empowerment.

Working in the resident’s home provides an opportunity for staff to build trust based relationships that help each individual to establish a healthy daily routine, effective communication skills, increase independent living skills and to build support based networks in the community that will help them transition to stable independent housing.

RAC’s expectations are to: facilitate and model safe and healthy connection, demonstrate integrity and transparency, meet residents where they are at in a nonjudgmental and encouraging way, and promote and teach healthy coping tools to aid in reductions of mental health symptoms.

RAC’s help residents increase levels of independent functioning and personal responsibility such as: cooking, cleaning, budgeting, medication management and tracking appointments.

RAC’s enjoy opportunities to facilitate recovery-oriented outings and activities such as beach walks, playing games, coffee shop visits, hikes, bowling, and disc golf. We are looking for professionals who have a passion for building healthy, healing community.

At ATP our values are: genuine care, supporting resident’s goals, flexible collaboration, and empowering residents to take recovery into their own hands.

Learn More About the Program

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Hours/ Salary Employee Perks

Relief, non-exempt. This position has no guaranteed hours but is coverage for staff vacations and sick time. Shifts can be scheduled ahead of time or be short notice due to staffing needs. Due to the 24/7 nature of the program this position may include some combination of day, weekend, holiday and overnight shifts.

Schedules can be flexible and can accommodate a variety of preferences. Day shifts are typically 8-4 or 9-5:30. Overnight shift hours are 4pm-8am with sleeping hours from 12am-6am. Expectation that some holiday shifts will need to be worked. Anticipated hiring is $22.00.

Includes a paid sick time and a variety of helpful employee perks as well. (*Full Salary Schedule $22.00-$27.81 per hour).

Organization Description

Transitions – Mental Health Association is a leading non-profit agency committed to providing comprehensive mental health services and support to individuals and families by inspiring hope, growth, recovery and wellness in our communities. TMHA has decades of experience with teams of compassionate staff.

TMHA is a driving force in improving mental health and wellness in our communities and a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and individual contributions.

Mission Statement

Transitions Mental Health Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community and family support services

Responsibilities and Duties

1. Recognize when clients are in a psychiatric crisis or in emotional distress. Accurately assess and de-escalate crisis situations. Teach clients appropriate coping, anger management, and conflict resolution skills.

2. Aid residents in developing social, vocational, independent living, and effective life management skills. Assist residents with proper nutrition, menu planning, meal preparation, shopping, budgeting, housecleaning, and personal hygiene.

3. Encourage and facilitate residents to access and utilize community resources, support systems, services, and opportunities. Coordinate recreational activities.

4. Promote, encourage and maintain trauma-informed practices in all services and activities. Practice and promote, both individually and in team meetings, TMHA’s Collaborative Communication Guidelines in order to facilitate clear, empathetic and person-centered communication.

5. Issue and monitor medication. This duty may include reminding clients to take medications and recognizing symptoms and side effects of medication.

6. Assist in development of treatment plans, plans and goals, appraisal/ needs and services. Also, assist residents in determining, developing, and carrying out their own goals, as well as fostering independence.

7. Maintain the orderliness and upkeep of the facility. This duty may include general maintenance work and repairs as needed.

8. Complete program paperwork. This duty may include resident statement of plans and goals, resident files, medication logs, progress notes, weekly treatment summaries, time sheets, petty cash, grocery scrip, and/or inventory forms.

9. Attend scheduled staff meetings and complete required hours of in-service training.

10. Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Program Manager or Assistant Program Manager.

Job Environment

1. Moderate, physical activity and frequent driving. May include moving or lifting up to 50 lbs.

2. Supports the team approach to meeting program objectives.

3. Involves moderate risks that require safety precautions and the risk of exposure to potentially intense situations.

Minimum Requirements

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. This position requires in person work for face to face contact with residents for every shift.

3. A minimum of 1 year, full-time experience working in a program serving people with co-occurring Mental Health disorders is preferred.

4. Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative work style and strong oral, written, and communication skills.

5. Well defined organizational and time management skills.

6. Ability to work independently and flexibly.

7. Ability to handle intense situations, display good judgment and decision making skills, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure.

8. Able to work effectively with a variety of people and personality types regardless of age, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or socio-economic level.

9. Ability to possess and maintain good physical and mental health.

10. Ability to work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful attitude in the workplace.

11. Ability to be willing to work with supervisor oversight and direction.

12. Attendance is an essential function of this job that requires face-to-face interaction with clients and/or other employees.

13. Ability to mindfully promote equality and respect diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all of the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

14. Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services.

15. Knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including mental health, gender, race and ethnicity.

16. Must use reasonable precaution in the performance of one’s duties and adhere to all applicable safety rules and practices while acting in such a manner as to assure at all times, maximum safety to one’s self, fellow employees, clients, and other persons contacted through TMHA business.

17. Conditions of employment include:

• Must be at least 18 years of age; possess a valid CA Driver’s License, at least 2 years driving experience and DMV driving record that meets TMHA’s current vehicle insurance requirements. May be required to utilize reliable personal vehicle and auto insurance.
• Must comply with a TB assessment (possibly a TB test if needed to confirm a negative tuberculosis result) and receipt of a criminal record clearance through fingerprinting.
• Complete pre-employment physical.
• Must be able to successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.

Physical Demands

• 1. Seeing
• 2. Hearing
• 3. Speaking
• 4. Stooping/Bending
• 5. Moving around office
• 6. Moving between offices/clients
• 7. Driving
• 8. Climbing
• 9. Lifting/carrying heavy items
• 10. Computer use
• 11. Pushing/pulling/dragging items
• 12. Standing for long periods
• 13. Working outside
• 14. Using hands/fingers