Resident Counselor - In Touch with Teens - Mercy Medical Center - PRN(Varied hours)

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Participates as a treatment team member in teaching/directing teen clients to modify behavior, effectively parent, and become self-sufficient. Works with clients through professional interventions and supportive guidance/assistance. Serves as a teacher, coach, mentor, and role model to program participants and their children. Provides support and assistance, consistent with treatment plan expectations, in the areas of daily living skills, positive parenting education/problem-solving, education, and employment. Insures the safety and security of program participants and their children.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

* Effectively develops and nurtures rapport and therapeutic relationships with all clients, co-workers, families, internal and external customers. Relates in a non-judgmental, accepting, helpful, respectful manner. Serves as a primary support person to the residents and their children.

* Assists in the admission process for all teen program clients utilizing a compassionate and empathic manner to ensure that they feel welcome, appreciated, and understood. Orients new residents to program guidelines and expectations. Facilitates resident discharges, including overseeing packing, cleaning and other clearance procedures. When the situation requires, packs and assists in the storing of client belongings. Notifies all appropriate parties of any changes in resident status (e.g., discharge, AWOL, reunification of children, etc.).

* Supervises the day-to-day behavior and in-house activities of teen clients through regular client contact, daily room checks, etc. Intervenes when behaviors are inappropriate so as to ensure a safe environment. Routinely observes resident interactions, appropriately intervenes when behaviors are not consistent with expectations, and teaches/coaches/role models conflict resolution/problem-solving skills as a means for effectively managing differences. Possesses and utilizes conflict resolution and de-escalation skills.

* Teaches parenting skills as well as child development information to clients.

* Documents pertinent information regarding behaviors of teen clients and their children in a timely and qualitative manner, including daily logging of behaviors and activities for each teen client for each shift, daily communication book logging, medication distribution, and significant incident reports; recognizes major issues and reports them to Primary Counselor and Program Supervisor. Keeps the treatment team informed about significant events and treatment issues. Consistently utilizes appropriate documentation instruments to chronicle significant treatment, safety, and visitor related information.

* Teaches and redirects residents and their children, as appropriate, on daily issues confronting them; assists clients with basic living skills needs and issues. Seeks assistance and direction from Primary Counselor on complex situations. Develops and utilizes a knowledge base for working with behavioral disordered children.

* Provides accurate information on a client's behavior and progress in treatment plan review and other case management meetings. Is responsible for the timely dissemination of resident specific information discussed in the staffings to the other Resident Counselors. Collaborates with other treatment team members in carrying out treatment plans. Initiates corrective action with residents who are not following treatment plan goals.

* Assures medications are kept in a secured environment and distributes medication to residents and their children according to physician instructions. Assumes accountability for medication cupboard, including discarding outdated medications, updating documentation in medication logbook, and properly disposing of medications as warranted. Completes significant incident reports on medications taken improperly or not dispensed. Assists residents in appropriate administration of medications to themselves and their children.

* Participates in team meetings and other case management meetings and staffings as appropriate. Is responsible for disseminating information discussed in the staffings about clients and their children to the other Resident Counselors. Collaborates with other treatment team members in carrying out the treatment plan developed by the Primary Counselor and initiates corrective actions with the clients who are not following treatment plan goals. Promotes effective teamwork relationships and activities.

* Interacts with teen clients in their living unit, monitoring behavior, completion of chores and tasks and teaching parenting skills.

* Transports clients to school, professional appointments, recreational activities, and other requested trips when necessary; teaches clients to use public transportation when appropriate.

* Teaches client the proper use of the health care system so as to establish an ongoing relationship with a primary physician for themselves and their children.

* Interacts with House of Mercy Medical Clinic to schedule appointments and follow-up appointments.

* Maintains case files on clients by filing documents improper order and checking medication logging. (Overnight staff)

* Provides a sage, secure, and structured environment, which facilitates personal growth and retraining of needed skills.

* Promotes and assists clients in the process of furthering their education.

* Interacts critically and constructively with other staff members to develop and implement successful treatment techniques.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

* Facilitates and/or co-facilitates groups which educate clients on identified needs such as living skills, anger management, communication, parenting, etc. as assigned by the Teen Program Supervisor.

* Keeps accurate records of supplies that are used and order to replenish as needed.

* Teaches clients improved money management by working with them on planning and budgeting for purchases.

* Provides appropriate recreational activities, which will meet physical well-being needs of the clients and their children and will broaden their experience of healthy, appropriate recreational activities.

* Seeks opportunities to improve/enhance programming and makes recommendations to support improvements/enhancements. Participates in short-term and on-going work groups for the betterment of House of Mercy and program specific committees.

* Understands security procedures of the building, including fire alarms, door alarms, and fuse boxes.

* Responds in emergency situations utilizing CPR and First Aid as appropriate and remains calm and professional in handling emergency situations.

* Maintains an awareness of and adheres to Mandatory Child Abuse reporting laws.

* Maintains an awareness of and adheres to Federal Confidentiality laws.

* Maintains communications, on a professional level, with all co-workers, department staff, vendors, donors, and residents.

* Attends meetings and training sessions as required.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

* A high school diploma or GED and one year full-time equivalent experience in human services related field required. (Sixty credit hours toward degree in social work or related human service field may be substituted for the one-year of required experience when at least 12 of the 60 hours are in the field of social work or a related human service field.)

* AA or Bachelors degree in human services related field preferred.

* Valid First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification required within three months of hire.

* Valid drivers license required upon hire; valid Iowa Chauffeurs License required within one week of hire; verification of current automobile insurance required at time of employment.

* Medication Management certification to be completed within three months of hire.

* Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting training to be completed within one week of hire.

* Domestic Violence, Parenting, and Customer Service training to be completed within 30 days of hire.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Demonstrates a commitment to service, organization values and professionalism through appropriate conduct and demeanor at all times

Adheres to and exhibits our core values:

Reverence: Having a profound spirit of awe and respect for all creation, shaping relationships to self, to one another and to God and acknowledging that we hold in trust all that has been given to us.

Integrity: Moral wholeness, soundness, uprightness, honesty and sincerity as a basis of trustworthiness.

Compassion: Feeling with others, being one with others in their sorrows and joys, rooted in the sense of solidarity as members of the human community.

Excellence: Outstanding achievement, merit, virtue;

* Continually surpassing standards to achieve/maintain quality.

* Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive data at all times

* Adheres to organizational and department specific safety standards and guidelines

* Works collaboratively and supports efforts of team members

* Demonstrates exceptional customer service and interacts effectively with physicians, patients, residents, visitors, staff and the broader health care community

Catholic Health Initiatives and its organizations are Equal Opportunity Employers

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