COMMUNITY HEALTH AND COUNSELING SERVICES
DEPARTMENT: Adult Mental Health Services
POSITION TITLE: Residential Support Worker
DATE: November 14, 2005
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR: Katherine Carter
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Residential Support Worker provides residential personal care and rehabilitative
treatment to persons with severe and prolonged mental illness. The goal of these services is
to assist individuals in obtaining the support, skills, and services necessary to improve their
level of functioning and maximize independence in the community. The primary focus is in
delivering residential mental health treatment and medication administration services to
residents; the secondary focus is on the operation of the facility. RSW’s will be expected to
work nights, days, live-ins, weekends, holidays, and to assist with coverage in other
housing programs as needed, therefore extreme flexibility is required in this position.
The Residential Support Worker has the capacity to assume additional responsibility and a
leadership role, and may be expected to provide direction to Living Skills Service Workers
or work independently on a regular basis.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Supervised by a Residential Treatment Program Supervisor
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS: (Includes Essential Job Functions)
1. Identifies individual residents’ strengths and needs through in-person contacts with the
residents, formal and informal assessments, resident records, observation, and contact with
the residents’ families, guardians, friends, significant others, and service providers (e.g.,
Medical doctors, Psychiatrists, case managers, therapists, etc.)
2. Helps the residents define their strengths and needs in the process of more independent living
and builds this information into the Individual Service Plan process. Helps the residents set
goals and objectives, assess and evaluate their progress toward their goals and objectives; and
plan future interventions. Suggests and implements strategies to further the residents’
progress and maximize independence in the community.
3. Provides skill teaching and services to the residents, one to one or in small groups, by hands
on assisting, modeling, prompting and/or supervising activities of daily living, including
bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, ambulating, personal hygiene, grooming, laundry,
housekeeping, grocery shopping, cooking, personal interactions, community integration,
budgeting, and transportation, that are relevant to the maintenance, growth, recovery, health
and safety of the residents.
4. Supervises the general whereabouts and well being of residents while they are in or on the
house premises or in the community with staff. Observes and monitors the residents to ensure
their health and safety, and monitors and assesses progress in the activities of daily living.
5. Observes and monitors the residents’ behavior, psychiatric status, and medical status, and
reports any changes to supervisory personnel, health and medical providers, and law
enforcement as appropriate.
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6. Arranges for or provides transportation, and makes phone calls for appointments as
recommended by medical providers, or as indicated in the residents’ plans of care.
7. Arranges for and/or provides motivational and recreational activities (individual or group)
that focus on social interaction to reduce isolation or withdrawal and to enhance
communication and social skills.
8. Provides education, rehabilitation and habilitation to residents in areas such as illness and
symptom management, medication management, emotional and social development, peer
interactions, sexuality, communication skills, assertiveness skills, developing and
maintaining Independent Living Skills, and other areas that promote the residents’ growth
and recovery.
9. Assures that the residents understand their rights as recipients of mental health services,
including informed consent, risks and benefits of treatment and their rights to confidentiality
and the limits of confidentiality.
10. Provides case management type services to the residents that include ISP development and
identification of unmet needs, linking and coordinating of services.This includes extensive
contact with community providers (e.g., medical, psychiatric, laboratory, pharmaceutical,
etc.), advocacy and promoting self-advocacy, resource development, and other tasks as
needed.
11. Provides crisis intervention and supportive counseling to residents, using appropriate
procedures for accessing emergency medical and psychiatric services.
12. Assists in the leadership or co-leadership of residential council and other house groups.
13. Works with residents on skill development that will maximize independent living skills and
lead to transition into more independent living in the community as appropriate.
14. Completes and ensures the maintenance of all required clinical and administrative
documentation for residents in accordance with regulations and agency standards.
MEDICATION
1. Provides medication management for residents following appropriate procedures.
2. Works with medications in a safe and responsible way, as outlined in the CRMA course
guidelines; making sure that the right medication is administered to the right person at the
right time, by the right route, in the right dose. Remains aware that errors could be life
threatening.
3. Document medications correctly on the Medication Administration Record and in the
residents’ charts to insure good medication practices and safety for the residents.
4. Maintains familiarity with the medications being administered, the potential side effects and
the risks and benefits to the residents.
5. Assesses residents’ ability to self-medicate and completes related skills teaching with
residents.
6. Completes and submits all medication documentation following CHCS policy and
procedures.
7. Performs basic medical tasks including, but not limited to: blood pressure, weight, pulse,
respiration, blood sugars, simple non-sterile dressing changes, transfers, basic first aid, and
procedures taught in the CRMA course or in-service trainings.
8. Reports to supervisor (or on-call supervisor) any adverse events, medication errors,
medication changes, refusals or any other unusual circumstances while administering
medications which occurred during the shift.
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TEAM WORK
1. Maintains a positive work atmosphere within the team.
2. Coordinates with other house staff regarding resident information, house information, upcoming events or activities, etc.
3. Supports and works with the supervisor and other staff to maintain consistency within the
program.
4. Represents the team in the agency and in the community in a professional manner.
5. Provides added individual and program consultation around any area of special expertise.
6. Participates in the training and orientation of new employees.
7. Participates in the supervisory process and consults with the supervisor or supervisor on-call
as needed.
8. Provides instruction and/or direction to Living Skills Service Workers to ensure coordinated
efforts for specific task completion.
HOUSE FUNCTIONS
1. Operates the residence in such a manner that the human rights, dignity and respect of all
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residents are of utmost consideration.
Keeps the house in good condition, orders medical and residential supplies as needed, and
remains aware of physical plant issues in the house, alerting the Supervisor to issues as they
arise.
Keeps the grounds of the residence safe and in compliance with fire safety codes and other
regulations (e.g., ensures that the grounds are kept clean and walkways are free of snow, ice
and debris).
Keeps the inside of the residence clean, safe and in compliance with fire safety and other
regulations.
Monitors the need for repairs and reports to the Supervisor on these issues.
Does small maintenance as needed (e.g., replaces light bulbs, plunges toilets, resets alarm
systems, etc.)
Maintains the house vans so that they remain safe and clean.
Assists residents in learning to take responsibility for caring for the facility by including
residents in the process of completing house functions 1 through 7, to the extent possible.
This will include using role modeling, hands on demonstration, and other independent skill
learning techniques.
AGENCY RELATED FUNCTIONS
1. Understands and follows agency and departmental policies and procedures.
2. Completes and submits accurate and timely reports.
3. Functions in a cost-effective manner with regard to utilization of time, mileage, and job
related expenses.
4. Attends agency meetings as required.
5. Obtains applicable licensure and certifications.
6. Participates in required and elective staff development activities in accord with the individual
staff development plan (minimum of 20 hours per year).
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7. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
8. Complies with Agency and mandated safety procedures and regulations for the good of
employees and clients.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty
satisfactorily. Listed below are the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this
position.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree and one-year experience, or an Associate’s Degree with three years of
experience, or experience in community based services to individuals with severe and
prolonged mental illness for a minimum of five (5) years. Must have MHRT I, or
complete the MHRT I Provisional Certification within ten days of employment. Must
complete the MHRT I within one (1) year of employment. Must be able to exercise good
judgment and work independently and with a team under general direction. Ability to
articulately interact with a variety of professionals and levels of management with courtesy
and tact. Must have excellent written and oral communication skills, and be able to relate
effectively with supervisory staff, co-workers and residents. Must satisfactorily complete a
DHHS approved CRMA medication and/or certification course and maintain certification
during employment.
Other Skills and Abilities:
1. Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes overnights, days, nights, weekends,
and holidays as scheduled by the Supervisor. Employees are expected to fill in when
people are out sick, on vacation, or out on holiday time, and assist with coverage in
other housing programs as needed.
2. Ability to work independently and in a team setting. Ability to make independent
decisions and do interim planning until more resources can be reached.
3. Ability to access the Supervisor, Supervisor On-call system, and emergency medical,
psychiatric systems, and law enforcement and relay information accurately and
effectively to other providers and back up services, especially during crisis situations.
4. Ability to accept supervision and direction from the Supervisor.
5. Ability to attend weekly staff meetings that may or may not fall within a regular shift.
6. Ability and willingness to attend in-services and trainings as required.
7. Demonstrated leadership qualities and abilities and take a lead role when working with
LSSW’s.
8. Demonstrated competence and utilization of the AMHS Client Directed, Values
Guided, Clinical Model.
9. Ability to be a responsible, positive role model for peers and residents.
10. Ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and in a professional manner.
11. Ability to get along with others.
Must possess a reliable automobile, a valid Maine driver’s license, and required automobile
liability insurance coverage.
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PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:
The physical/mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met
by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
Physical Requirements: The employee must be able to tolerate long work hours with few
or no breaks in sometimes intense environment with multiple residents that need to be
supervised with vigilance for up to 2 ½ to 3 days. The employee must be able to do
multiple tasks often and pay attention to detail. The employee must be able to sit and drive
a car or van. Typically, individual trips will be up to one hour in length. Several trips per
day may be required. Driving for extended periods of time may also be required when staff
is on an outing or appointment with residents. The employee is required to do some
strenuous activities (i.e. Lugging groceries, supplies and laundry, shoveling snow, raking
and clearing small debris, vacuuming, dusting, moving light furniture, hauling trash,
cleaning floors, ceilings, walls, bathrooms and other surfaces). The employee is also
required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, work over-head, climb or balance,
stoop, kneel, push, pull, lift and carry heavy objects up to 30 lbs. The employee must be
able to walk on uneven surfaces, climb stairs and inclines, and ambulate outdoors in all
weather conditions. The employee must be able to tolerate being outside for short periods
of time in all weather conditions. The employee must be able to tolerate exposure to
second-hand tobacco smoke in the residents’ homes and other community settings.
Workplace Environment: The environment is a residential group care facility. The
employee may be frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and the need to work
with little office privacy. Occasionally, the employee will be exposed to outdoor weather
conditions and loud noises. The employee will be continuously exposed to moderate noise
and contact or work with others in office conditions that may be crowded. The employee
will occasionally be required to work overtime, evenings, weekends, or unpredictable
schedules.
Communication Requirements: The employee will be required to frequently talk on the
telephone and in person with individuals and small and large groups. The employee will be
required to hear, write, and read. Vision requirements include close, distance, and
peripheral vision.
Mental Requirements: The employee must be able to get along with others; meet deadlines and
productivity standards, complete paperwork on time; respond to varying situations with tact
and diplomacy and deal with stressful, hostile, or irrational persons, whether due to
physical or mental disability, drugs, socio-economic differences, or other factors; react
calmly and effectively in emergency situations; and remain flexible in changing
circumstances and situations.
JOB PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:
Employee must satisfactorily complete a 6-month probationary period. At that time,
employee may be granted regular status or may be continued on a probationary basis for up
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to an additional 6 months. Subsequent job performance evaluations will occur on an
annual basis.
APPROVED BY:
___________________________________
Katherine Carter
Date
Director, AMHS
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