Direct Support Counselor Per Diem

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Shared Housing, the Daily Living Skills Counselor/Direct Support at JESPY House serves individuals with learning, developmental and behavioral health disabilities through support and development of daily living skills; positive direction; and, advocacy in the community on behalf of and with the client. 

Responsibilities

• Supports JESPY House policies, vision, and core values while empowering all clients to direct their own life choices.
• Maintains and expands skills and knowledge relevant to providing high quality support and services. Attends trainings as directed and applies new knowledge to current assignment. Obtains and maintains all required certifications. As a support service counselor, the DLS Counselor communicates regularly and proactively interfaces with JESPY Case Managers as required
• Provides supportive services to individual clients; if more in depth services are required, initiate a referral to the Case Manager.
• Establishes a collaborative relationship with involved family members or significant others to advance identified goals. 

Essential Functions

• Collaborates with the assigned Case Manager
• Assist with food ordering or shopping when necessary
• Supervise and teach necessary skills regarding cooking, cleaning and laundry
• Report to supervisors and/or building superintendent about needed repairs
• Inspect client’s refrigerator on a weekly basis
• Conduct monthly fire drills and coordinate inspection of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Represents as the agency liaison with building superintendents
• Informs client, case manager, family and/or support coordinator when new clothes, shoes, or household appliances are needed
• Cooperates with licensee or DDD staff in any inspection or investigation
• Must check email and voicemail daily 
• Utilize Foothold Awards daily to access client information. All notes are required to be entered into Foothold within a 3 (three) day period from date of client interaction.
• Responsible for tracking both non-DDD and DDD clients’ progress through electronic documentation as well as client goals through the daily tracking record as it relates to their service plan.
• Attend any additional Foothold trainings, workshops and meetings.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.
• General knowledge of agency policy and procedures
• Submits weekly and monthly reports on client’s status
• Informs case manager when new clothes, shoes, or household appliances are needed
• Cooperates with licensee or DDD staff in any inspection or investigation

Competencies

• Work Ethic  
• Flexibility and Adaptability  
• Judgment
• Ability to Work Independently 
• Communications.
• Confidentiality
• Listening Skills  
• Awareness.
• Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships
• Supporting Good Health

Commitment to Core Value

• Adhere strictly to HIPAA requirements and all agency confidentiality guidelines.
• Establish positive, balanced relationships with clients, as demonstrated by: 
  • treatment of individuals with respect and dignity and in an age and culturally appropriate manner;
  • a commitment towards the individual's rights and responsibilities; and
  • establishment of clear boundaries that allow for productive interactions.

Reporting

n/a

Other Responsibilities

Educational Requirements

Work Experience Requirement

• Experience with individuals with developmental disabilities preferred
• Valid New Jersey driver’s license and car
•  Basic computer skills
• Good communication skills

Skills/Abilities

• Maintain strict and professional boundaries particularly regarding confidentiality.
• Understanding of learning and developmental disabilities and best approaches to working with clients with these disabilities.
• Communicates effectively in writing; completes all time sensitive written and electronic documents.
• Skilled at collaborating well with other members of the interdisciplinary team. 
• Proficient with Foothold EHR, Microsoft Word and Excel
• Reports and/or documents, in a concise, understandable, and legible manner in the electronic health record (EHR), Foothold. Case notes need to demonstrate a direct relationship to the achievement of treatment goals as defined in the ISP or the Annual Case Evaluation. Completion of daily logs, accident reports, incident reports, outcome data sheets and all appropriate

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Hourly - Per Diem

Special Working Conditions/Physical/Requirements – Working Environment

• Able to walk up and downstairs.
• Must be available for coverage on some weekends and after 5pm when required. 
• Valid  New Jersey Driver's license is required

• Must hold a high school diploma
• Valid New Jersey driver's license is required
• Must hold CPR/First Aid Valid Certification (We will train)
• Successful clearance of NJ background check
• Successful clearance of Drug Screening
• Has fulfilled the necessary training requirements and is in good standing in order to bill Medicaid for Support and Community Care Waiver (CCW) Services and  CDS

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.

Direct Reports

n/a

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience

Notes/Comments

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

REVISED: 1/2/19