Residential Counsellor

Position Summary

Working within the philosophy of TAMIR, the Residential Counsellor is responsible for assisting participants to achieve their personal goals, maintain their best possible health and well-being, and develop skills and a sense of self worth through an individualized support plan created to meet the participant’s unique interests and needs. Under the general supervision of the Program Supervisor, Tamir Residential Counsellors have responsibility for the day to day care of individuals, supported by Tamir, whether in their homes or in the community. All work is conducted in a manner consistent with Tamir’s vision, mission and values statements, following the principles of the Quality Enhancement (QE) initiative at Tamir. These principles include demonstrating the utmost respect for our participants, ensuring their safety, well-being and daily care, providing meaningful choices and activities and assisting participants to achieve their personal goals, as defined through our individualized, personal outcome planning process.

Schedule: Weekends only, approximately 24 hours bi-weekly

Principal Responsibilities And Duties

Participant Support and Advocacy

• Develop a respectful, positive and consistent relationship with participants
• Learn the personal history, strengths and needs of the participants, as well as their preferences, and assist in the development and implementation of Personal Outcome Plans (POP’s) in partnership with the participants, Primary Counsellors, families and others of importance
• Keep parents, staff and supervisors informed of participant progress, and issues, on an ongoing basis
• Advocate with community groups, employers and others in the community to promote the participation of people with developmental disabilities
• Become familiar with and facilitate participation in Jewish cultural and religious practices and support individuals who are not Jewish to participate in cultural and religious activities of their choice
• Provide assistance with personal care including nutrition, hygiene, and grooming; maintain clothing, personal possessions, etc. as required
• Assist participants in managing personal finances, as required
• Dispense medications and other treatments, as required, and according to Tamir procedures
• Promote and maintain the mental and physical health and well being of participants while ensuring a safe and healthy home/program environment
• Assist participants to become involved in recreational/educational/employment or other interests as identified in their POP
• Facilitate the development of active and involved support networks for participants
• Identify, and in conjunction with the Primary Counsellor and/or Supervisor, advocate for change in supports which may impede the realization of participant goals
• Support individuals to exercise choice and assume responsibility in making decisions in their lives, at the same time balancing the need for safety and security
  
  

Administration

• Be familiar with and adhere to Tamir policies and procedures, as well as Ministry of Community and Social Services operational guidelines and relevant legislation
• Operate under the guidelines of Tamir health and safety policies and procedures and follow safe practices
• Maintain appropriate documentation for all areas of responsibility, according to established Tamir policies and procedures, for example the daily log, accident/incident reports, petty cash and serious occurrence forms
• Report all unsafe conditions, damages and hazards to the Program Supervisor
• Maintain complete information for each participant and ensure confidentiality
• Maintain all mandatory training requirements as per schedule; keep security and medical checks current
• Perform administrative tasks as assigned by the Program Supervisor
• Assist with orientation and training of program staff and volunteers
  
  

Professional Conduct

• Promote and demonstrate respect and value for the Jewish culture and religion and the vision and mission statements of the agency within the workplace and in the community
• Demonstrate positive, respectful and professional relationships within the team including staff, families, volunteers and the community
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings, eliciting and representing the needs of the participants supported within the program
• Contribute to a positive work environment, by utilizing effective communication skills, conducting job functions with initiative, enthusiasm and sound judgement, and contributing to the team in an organized and productive manner
• Pursue professional development opportunities, as recommended by your supervisor
• Attend internal training, as required, as well as keep security and medical checks current
• Be punctual and dependable in the completion of assigned duties and other responsibilities
  
  

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected. It is not an inclusive listing of all activities, but is designed to be used in combination with program responsibilities and shift routines. Staff may be asked to perform other duties as required. To ensure that Tamir is able to remain responsive to participants or program needs, job specifications may be changed or altered as required.

Working Conditions

• Working with people requiring support to manage emotional, psychological and physical behavioural challenges
• A risk of exposure to communicable/contagious diseases
• Completion of general household duties that may require lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, or twisting
• Lifting, move or transferring people who require mobility assistance
• Attending to personal needs
• May be required to work alone
• Must be able to operate a vehicle
  
  

Qualifications

• DSW, OR Degree/Diploma in Social Sciences, health administration or related field, and 1 year of experience working with persons with developmental disabilities is preferred OR
• High school education, with 2 years of relevant experience working with persons with developmental disabilities, is preferred
• Valid G class driver’s license preferred, with good driving record
• Current CPR and First Aid Training
• Basic word processing skills (MS Word preferred)
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skill
  
  

Tamir is committed to providing a recruitment and selection process that is both inclusive and free from barriers. Tamir welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available upon request, and will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Applicants are required, in advance, to make any accommodation request known to Human Resources by contacting the department at 1-613-725-3519 extension 101 or using the Bell Relay Service. Human Resources will strive to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodation for all applicants during the recruitment and selection process, which will ensure the process is conducted in a fair and equitable manner.