On Call Relief Counsellor

**I. **

In collaboration with patients, families (asdefined by thepatient), and staff across disciplines and departments the residential counsellor provides quality support to individuals living with the effects of brain injury and close intensive supervision in a residential setting. In partnership with the patient and family and, considering the patient’s environment, the on-call residential counselor is responsible for assisting in the coordination of residential services and providing professional treatment and care to residents. In addition, this position is responsible for providing a range of residential counseling and skills training services to clients and their families, tracking and reporting on resident’s treatment progress and providing peer leadership.

Pertaining to the activities provided to Service Recipients (SRs) with acquired brain injury who are living in a supportive housing setting or own residence and require assisted living services, accessible on a 24-hour basis. The services may include, but not limited to, homemaking, personal support and attendant/ personal hygiene services. This service may also include the core components of independence training service and SR specific behavioural management programs developed and/or supervised by the professional service funded through the Psychological services. The supportive housing setting is a location where organization may be responsible for providing services to a number of SRs who live in their own units and housing is not a component of the service. Organizations providing these services will ensure their staff in various locations are onsite and/or accessible on a 24-hour basis.

Actively support the philosophy, goals and objectives of Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC)

Program, the education and programmatic activities that promote and implement PFCC behaviors, and

the coordination of opportunities for patients and families to contribute to the mission, vision, and values of VCBIS.

**II. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS**
- Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or human services related fields.
- Prior experience working with individuals living with the effects of brain injury an asset or at least two years work experience providing mental health or social service.

**III. REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE and ABILITIES**
- Values working in a multicultural/diverse environment
- Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with a broad variety of people, including team members, management and other professionals
- Ability to work effectively with a team-oriented environment
- Computer experience and adequate typing ability
- Ability to provide visual and auditory supervision of residents
- Maintains appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality
- Demonstrates group leadership and organizational skills
- Regularly attend scheduled shifts, be punctual for scheduled shifts and meetings and be in a condition suitable for assuming responsibilities of the position
- Effectively monitor safety and demonstrate group management skills and effectively deescalate potentially chaotic or volatile situations
- Exercises tact, discretion, and judgment in working with a variety of people
- Stays calm and emotionally available in an environment serving individuals with a mild to severe brain injury
- Openness to feedback and supervision

**IV. OTHER REQUIREMENTS**
- Standard First Aid/CPR certification is required within the first six months of employment; maintain a current standard First Aid/CPR certification afterward.
- Must pass a criminal reference check
- Requires driving an agency vehicle, a valid driver’s license, personal auto liability insurance, and a driving record permitting coverage under agency auto liability policy.

**V. SUPERVISION RECEIVED**

Works under the direct supervision of the Program Manager

**VI. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

1**.** Provides a nurturing environment and close, intensive supervision and safety for individuals living with the effect of a brain injury in the residential program
- Assures resident’s basic needs are met including meals, exercise, hygiene and sleep
- Teaches healthy living skills and conducts recreational and social activities enhancing skill acquisition and fun
- Monitors activities and whereabouts of residents
- Maintains a physically safe environment
- Administers medication in an accurate and timely manner
- Assures that residents’ daily schedule is followed
- Assures attendance at medical, dental, counseling or other social service appointments including transportation as needed
- Serves as liaison with other agencies, support programs, family members, professionals and significant others as needed

2. Utilizes behavior management techniques appropriately with residents
- Feedback is clear, specific, timely and respectful
- Effectively communicates behavior choices to residents, outlining the positive and negative consequences of