Life Skills Counselor

About the Position:

The Life Skills Counselor works in Oak Hill programs with individuals and families within their personal homes. This person provides support to individuals with disabilities, who have the ability to acquire and use the skills necessary for increasing daily living skills and pro-social behavior and coping skills. This service is offered as a means of enhancing the lives of these individuals who reside in the community in their own or family homes and in keeping with Oak Hill’s mission. Skills Counselor works under the general supervision of a Program Supervisor/Coordinator. This position does not involve employee supervision. Life Skills Counselors will have contact with internal and external parties.

Qualification Requirements:

Bachelors Degree in Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, or closely related field and/or at least two years of experience in direct or supervisory care of individuals with disabilities/Autism or equivalent training and experience required. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities o Knowledge of the needs of individuals with disabilities/Autism and the ability to plan and implement ways of meeting these needs in a community setting o Knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Supported, Shared and Independent Living o Knowledge of and ability to maintain a safe environment o Knowledge of and ability to utilize applied learning theory to teach prosocial behavioral skills o Knowledge and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to physically abusive behavior (to self, staff, and others), and to accidents related to bodily functions o The ability to respond appropriately in emergency situations o The knowledge and ability to perform basic household accounting functions, including the ability to organize and maintain accurate records o Ability to interact well with others o Ability to respond to common inquiries, concerns from oversight agencies or any individual with whom the agency does business o Ability to effectively present information to an individual or group o Ability to communicate well in writing or verbally. o Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. o Demonstrated ability to perform the duties and responsibilities necessary to meet the need of participants o Ability to be flexible and dependable. o Valid driver’s license and the ability to meet Agency guidelines for transporting in personal vehicle. 

 
Benefits:
 

• Generous Paid Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time, Plus Paid Holidays
• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits (Oak Hill pays 50% of your medical deductible)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan (Oak Hill contributes 5% at no cost to you)
• Free and Low-Cost Life Insurance Options and Free Long-term Disability Insurance
• Excellent Professional Development Opportunities; Tuition Reimbursement; Career Pathways
• Staff Recognition and Appreciation
• Paid Training, Education, and Certification as necessary (including CPR training)

Duties and Responsibilities: 
 

1. Familiarizes him/herself with Oak Hill policies and procedures and Department of Developmental Services (DDS) policies and procedures related to In-Home Supports/Autism to ensure that such policies and procedures are followed.
2. Familiarizes him/herself with information about the individual needing support, including meeting with family members, DDS case managers, reviewing Individual Program Plans and medical information.
3. Completes skills assessments with the individual, develops goals that encourage growth and self- reliance and implements processes to assist in meeting their needs.
4. Assists the Program Supervisor/Coordinator and Behaviorist in creating and implementing habilitative programs both in the individual’s home and the community.
5. Familiarizes him/herself with the entitlement systems available to the individual and assists them in applying for and maintaining eligibility for entitlement supports.
6. Provides support to the individual in the following areas: budgeting and financial planning, practical life skills, social skills and physical and emotional health, to ensure that they acquire and maintain those skills needed for functioning independently in their communities and in society.
7. Coordinates services for the individual, including those services provided by other agencies, community groups or individuals, to ensure that participants make use of the community resources available to them.
8. Communicates regularly with all other support persons, family members, therapists, supervisors to ensure that the needs of the individual are being met.
9. Teaches individual to identify varying types of emergencies and handle them, and carries out periodic checks to ensure that those skills related to their safety are maintained.
10. Teaches self-medication administration skills to those able to learn, organizes medication for those who self-medicate and monitors the process to ensure that they are following the correct schedules and procedures.
11. Completes documentation in the Electronic Health Record including but not limited to: support staff arrival and departure time and goals worked on with individual before clocking out.
12. Teaches individuals and their families to make and keep appointments, to promote self-reliance and independence.
13. Teaches individuals and their families, when appropriate, to use public transportation systems to get to appointments, to go shopping, or to recreational activities, to promote self-reliance and independence.
14. Transports individuals and their families, when appropriate, to appointments, to work, or to recreational activities, as needed, using personal vehicle, as needed.
15. Assists individuals and their families with planning nutritionally balanced meals, as needed, to ensure that they maintain a healthy diet.
16. Teaches individuals basic hygiene care, and carries out periodic checks to ensure that their care promotes good health.
17. Teaches and assists individuals with planning washing and cleaning schedules, in order to help them maintain orderly households.
18. Teaches individuals in planning and taking part in social and leisure activities which meet their recreational needs.
19. Completes required quarterly and annual written reports as needed, to provide relevant information for evaluating individual progress.
20. Attends quarterly, annual or as-needed team meetings to facilitate information exchange and ensure growth in all areas.
21. May provide 24 hour on call support to individuals to meet their needs.
22. Communicates with the nurse and other medical personnel regarding the medical needs of individuals.
23. Arranges supports for participants, independently, as needed, to ensure that their needs are met on a continuing basis.
24. Attends in-service/education sessions and team meetings as needed.
25. Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related tasks as needed.