The Residential Counselor (RC) will be directly responsible for the daily care of Italian Home for Children clients. Clients include youths experiencing complex trauma, intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) (including Autism Spectrum Disorder), and co-occurring psychiatric needs. Residential Counselors support clients in reaching their full potential through providing positive and nurturing relationships and a stable, consistent, and structured living environment. Our approach to residential care offers clients the opportunity to learn new life skills and to replace maladaptive behaviors with more appropriate and socially acceptable strategies. RCs nurture and care for clients and ensure their wellbeing and safety. Residential Counselors model care, empathy and patience for children and families. Evenings, weekends, and holidays are required. Schedules are subject to change based on the needs of the Program to ensure safety of clients and employees. This position is considered essential as the Program operates 24 hours per day/7 days per week, year-round.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title, but additional responsibilities may be required. Employees are expected to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide a therapeutic milieu environment for clients, maintaining a safe and healthy environment; and meeting their physical and emotional needs
• Engage with clients in the therapeutic milieu by supporting routines, daily structure, and program-wide systems and processes
• Work as a part of a multidisciplinary team to further the emotional, behavioral, and educational development of clients
• Plan, implement, and participate in social and recreational activities for clients
• Implement treatment protocol established in client’s treatment plans and individual behavior plans
• Provide therapeutic intervention, including physical restraints done safely and by training standards
• Communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors and the clinical team
• Maintain clean dorm areas and client bedrooms
• Transport clients to community activities, schools, and other appointments
• Record accurate and timely shift notes, incident reports, and use electronic health record systems in line with agency and regulatory standards.
• Attend required meetings and trainings, including weekly staff meetings
• Actively participate in supervision and professional development opportunities

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstration of compassionate, sensitive, and empathetic care for clients
• Strong commitment to supporting, nurturing, teaching, and empowering children
• Ability to bend, reach, move and lift 75 pounds
• Flexible in thought and scheduling
• Strength in working collaboratively
• Responsive to emergencies quickly and safely; respond to unexpected circumstances calmly with a quick change of plan/strategy
• High performance in a stressful and fast paced environment
• Demonstration of understanding and application of principles taught in trainings and seminars, including therapeutic crisis intervention
• Integrity in the handling of sensitive and confidential information related to clients and employees
• Maintenance of strictest confidentiality regarding clients and employees; adhere to all HIPPA guidelines and regulations
• Receptive and responsive to supervision and professional development
• Exceptional communication skills (verbal and written)
• Valid Massachusetts Driver’s License required

Italian Home for Children is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, height, weight, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We are dedicated to ensuring a fair hiring process and an equitable work environment. If you require accommodations in order to complete the application, and/or interview process, please contact hr@italianhome.org.

The hourly rate for this role is $21, all employees working holidays or over 40 hours per week are eligible for overtime pay. This number does not reflect additional compensation-related benefits such as PTO, medical and life insurance (for employees working over 30 hours per week), EAP, and the Italian Home for Children 403(b) retirement plan.