Residential Support Specialist (Full Time Overnight)

Company: SMCN, Inc.
Location: Prince Frederick
Posted on: January 25, 2023

Job Description:

Program Overview:

The Intensive Residential Rehabilitation Program provides services to adults (both male and female) who reside in a home owned by Southern Maryland Community Network. The individuals who live in this home-like environment are mentally ill and require the 24 hour per day, 7 days per week care we offer to them. Individuals in the Intensive Residential Program receive assistance with their daily living skills, social skills, self-care skills, psychiatric care, somatic care, locating appropriate resources in the community, etc. Individuals who enter into the Intensive Program must qualify based on their psychiatric needs and be eligible for the Public Mental Health System.

General Description:

The Residential Support Specialist (RSS) provides assistance to individuals with metal health needs by developing and enhancing daily living skills and in utilizing and reconnecting them to their natural supports available to them within the community. The RSS collaborates with other Southern Maryland Community Network teams to ensure proper care is given to the consumers and reports directly to the Intensive Services Director.

Hours of employment are varied based on the group home which operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The specific shift hours are set by the Intensive Services Director. The RSS will be required to work evenings, weekends, and overnight hours to assist individuals in developing their natural supports and achieve their mental health goals. Residential Support Specialists are considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work as scheduled on Holidays or during inclement weather.

Qualifications:

High School Diploma/GED required, preferably supplemented by other course work or work experience in Psychology or experience in mental health or in the human services field. Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, or related disciplines is preferred. Must possess a working knowledge of mental illnesses as well as techniques to manage the symptoms of mental health issues. Additional experience must consist of at least one (1) year in direct service. Relevant work experience with the human services field may be substituted for the above qualifications.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Possess and maintain a clean driving record, with no more than 2 points. Must be insurable under SMCN's vehicle insurance coverage.
Must pass a criminal background investigation and drug screening.
Ability to provide TB shot record
Ability to provide a physical examination certificate every five years stating the employee is capable of fulfilling the physical demands of the job.
Ability to participate in the agency's monthly random drug and alcohol screening as selected.
Demonstrated understanding of and willingness to participate in a team environment.
Must have a working knowledge of computer applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability and willingness to learn and apply techniques during daily work routine as well as crisis management.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with all employees, consumers and community agencies.

Americans with Disability Specifications (Physical Demands):

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by and employee to successfully perform the essential job functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job that does not pose to be a financial hardship to the agency. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit for a long period of time, bend and kneel, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance, stoop, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Employee must be able to drive, involving, sitting, sight, hearing, turning hands and head and good road decision making concepts. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Usual office working conditions apply. The employees must be able to navigate the physical environment in which the people receiving services live and work.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to natural weather

conditions as this is a mobile job and frequently requires traveling and community

visits.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities may include the following, but are not limited to:

Provides a supportive environment in which consumers can work on their goals and potentially be able to live on their own in the community.
Collaborates with consumers to promote and develop partnerships with natural and community supports; provide linkages to the necessary resources and supports to assure successful community integration.
Develops a goal oriented treatment plan; identifies immediate linkages within the community and with mental health resources needed for successful treatment.
Identifies, participates and engage consumers in activities both at the home and within the community.
Monitors all consumer medication administration as prescribed and documents such accordingly.
Encourages consumers that are able, available and interested in working to explore opportunities with the Supported Employment program.
Communicates openly with the Intensive Services Director on the status of consumers and/or the house, including any issues or concerns.
Communicates with detail in staff logbooks daily and also with staff when shifts change. Ensures that the person coming in knows everything he/she needs to know about the consumer and any potential issues.
Should something happen within the house that requires immediate attention or is an emergency please call the appropriate service first (9-1-1 if necessary) and then contact the Intensive Services Director.
Collaborates with consumers to promote and develop partnerships with natural and community supports.
Provides linkages and access to the necessary resources, entitlements and supports to assure successful community integration.
Develops an Individual Rehabilitation Plans also known as Treatment Plans; identifies with consumers the barriers to community integration and develops strategies to offset them in consultation with consumers and their support to facilitate the development and implementation of the plan.
Documents observations and findings in the form of Encounter Notes, Assessments and Monthly Progress notes accurately and in a timely manner.
Assures that the assigned cases are in compliance and are records are accurate.
Adheres to good ethical practices and establishes professional boundaries with consumers, community resources and co-workers alike.
Assists in planning and coordination all rehabilitation related activities including self care skills, medication monitoring, health promotion, safety, communicable disease prevention, crisis services and other areas as needed with individual consumers.

Makes oneself available for crisis interventions in the form of support and carrying the staff on call phone as determined by the schedule while responding appropriately and timely.
Promotes Southern Maryland Community Network services, develops and maintains positive relations with individuals, groups and businesses in the community at all times.
Confers and advocates with community resources serving the mentally ill including psychiatrists, therapists, mental health agencies and legal services to arrange for services in a form that promotes the consumer and their well-being.
Assists individuals to plan ahead, make informed choices, follows through on responsibilities while advocating for consumers when needed based on the decisions made.
Uses effective, sensitive communication skills to build rapport and channels of communication by recognizing and adapting to the range of individual(s) communication style.
Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
Learns and uses the appropriate terminology and explains as necessary to all involved for comprehension.
Ability to be sensitive to different cultures, religious beliefs, disabilities (both mental and physical), sexual orientations, and transgendered individuals.
Demonstrates appropriate role model and professional behavior at all times.
Works within the provisions of HIPAA, and SMCN's confidentially agreements.
Participates in Clinical Coordination meetings and actively participates with professionalism and applicable information as needed to identify and collaborate with other SMCN departments for the well being of the consumer's progress.
Provides prompt, dependable and courteous transportation services to consumers as needed to appointments and community outings. Ensures that the consumer is complying with all appointments and treatments.
Maintains company vehicles and reports and issues immediately while informing the appropriate authority.
Properly uses all technology including computers, internet service, phones, fax machines, tablets and cell phones within the confines of the SMCN Employee Handbook.
Promotes a positive work environment within the house and among the team.
Attends all meetings and trainings as scheduled and directed.
Ensures that all policy and procedures set by both SMCN and the Residential Program are up held and enforced.
Will ensure that his/her CPR, First Aid and annual privileging is up to date click apply for full job details

Keywords: SMCN, Inc., Alexandria , Residential Support Specialist (Full Time Overnight), Other , Prince Frederick, Virginia