Resident Support Specialist

Job Summary

The role of the Resident Support Specialist is to supervise clients and assist with day-to-day operations on the unit. This role conducts safety checks and is responsible for independently managing a community setting for clients.

Role and Responsibilities

• Manages a residential setting for clients.
• Ensures client participation in varied recreational and recovery activities.
• Assists with intake and orientation for new clients.
• Performs client transfers and discharges.
• Ensures all client belongings are approved and compliant with the written safety policy.
• Administers medication and completes vital signs as prescribed by the provider in accordance with medical procedures.
• Communicates medical concerns with the medical team.
• Provides transportation to recovery meetings, recreational activities, and other pre-planned outings.
• Participates in outside and in-house recovery meetings, groups, and activities.
• Completes applicable documentation and shift notes in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Assists with conflict resolution among clients and is prepared to intervene, as required.
• Performs housekeeping duties, including room flips, trash removal, stocking inventory, vacuuming, mopping, etc.
• Conducts 60 min/30 min/15 min safety checks on clients.
• Completes Handle with Care and CPR training and is willing to apply these techniques according to company policy.
• Attends training and staff meetings, as required.
• Cooperates with and shows respect to direct co-workers, members of the interdisciplinary team, the community, volunteers, and visitors.
• Communicates end of shift notes with appropriate staff members at the start and end of the shift.
• Prepares critical incident reports and disseminates them to the appropriate staff/managers, as needed.
• Observes and respects clients’ individual rights and confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA guidelines.
• Maintains compliance with policy rules and regulations, health and safety requirements, and adheres to Sanford’s code of conduct, employee handbook, and standards of practice.
• Assists in other units/departments when there are changes in census or staffing shortages, as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Substance Use Disorder

• Transports clients to 12 step meetings, recreational activities, and other outings during assigned residential shift hours.
• Leads a gratitude group and facilitates recovery meetings, as needed.
• Facilitates a breathalyzer and obtains a urine sample for drug screening.
• Performs belonging searches after outings and passes.

Eating Disorder

• Assists/Participates during recreational activities, including dining experiences.
• Adheres to the requirement to take part in assigned meal/snack portioning and support.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• High School Diploma or higher education, required.
• Associate degree in behavioral science or related field, preferred.
• Unrestricted Driver’s License, required.
• Current certification in CPR/AED and First Aid, preferred.

Knowledge/skills/abilities

• Knowledge of the field of chemical dependency, eating disorders, and/or mental health.
• Attention to detail and efficient time-management skills.
• Experience with conflict resolution.
• Medication administration experience and proficiency.
• Effective communication skills, self-motivation, and good decision-making ability.
• Crisis management and de-escalation skills.
• Knowledge of suicide and self-harm and behaviors.
• Ability to adhere to and knowledge of all HIPAA guidelines.
• Knowledge of electronic medical records (EMR) and ability to document in the EMR.
• Working knowledge or ability to learn the Microsoft365 application.
• Ability to identify own strengths and areas of improvement and communicate needs to supervisor.
• Demonstrates professional behavior reflective of Sanford’s Mission Statement, Philosophy, and Values.
• Must be able to relate well to all kinds of people both inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.
• Must possess positive attitude to enhance a cooperative and energetic work environment.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of walking and standing.
• Must be able to perform repetitive tasks such as typing for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to adapt to the physical demands of lifting clients, bending, stooping, and stretching with or without assistance.
• Must be able to clearly express and exchange ideas by means of spoken words to impart oral information to employees or others accurately or quickly, engaging in sometimes lengthy conversations or presentations.
• Capable of monitoring the facility and to lift up to ten (10) pounds.
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs daily.
• Must be able to operate a 12-15 passenger van, including ascending and descending from the front seat.
• Must be able to seize, hold, grasp, turn or otherwise work with your hand or hands.
• Must be able to perceive sound by ear to interpret oral information from employees or others accurately or quickly.
• Work will be performed in an office environment with fluctuating temperatures.

ADA Disclaimer

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position adequately.  If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. All requests must be made to the Human Resource Department in writing.