Residential Assistant

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The role of the Adult Residential Assistant is to maintain a therapeutic and safe treatment environment for our patients, and always demonstrate healthy models of communication, ethics, and boundaries. The Adult Residential Assistant represents Fora in a professional manner to our community. The Adult Residential Assistant performs their role in such a way that Fora Health can fulfill its mission. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Tasks are to be completed with little follow-up from the supervisory staff. Support takes the form of teamwork and supervision. The Adult Residential Assistant must negotiate the conflicting demands of attending to patients, staff, and phones, while remaining professional and helpful at all times. 

1. Maintain the therapeutic environment

• Establish a helping relationship with the patient characterized by respect, warmth, sincerity, empathy and kindness.
• Role model healthy styles of communication and behavior, by using non-violent/non-aggressive communication, verbal de-escalation, and demonstrating appropriate physical and emotional boundaries. Maintain professional boundaries with all patients at all times.
• Document any incidents/observations that occur during the shift in the Shift Notes.
• Communicate areas of concern and positive outcomes with necessary staff through the appropriate means of communication.
• Follow medication administration policy and record medication administration, as directed.
• Assist patients in following program rules and provide therapeutic interventions where indicated.
• Transport and Supervise patients at any outing off Fora property.
• Conduct rounds both inside and outside of the building.
• Conduct UA’s and perform patient searches, including patient rooms, patient belongings, and the patient’s person.
• Be aware of the whereabouts of all patients at all times.
• Maintain the safety and integrity of the building.
• Work together as a team to evacuate the building safely during monthly emergency drills.
• Assist with supporting patient engagement in the treatment and recovery process.
• Support and educate others regarding issues of cultural identity, ethnic background, age, and gender in treatment and recovery.
• Perform other tasks as directed.

2. Greet the public and answer the phone

• Greet guests coming into the agency in a professional, welcoming, and helpful manner, and direct them to an appropriate place to wait as indicated.
• Answer the phone, direct calls, and take messages in a professional manner, while adhering to federal and state laws and agency policies and procedures regarding confidentiality.
• Distribute messages to staff and patients in a timely fashion.

3. Perform clerical duties

• Complete Incident Reports when indicated.
• Maintain inventory of patient documents and replenish copies of items as needed.
• Log any incidents or observations regarding patients, patient activity, and/or patient behavior, in the Shift Notes.
• Perform tasks within the Electronic Health Record as needed.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Special projects and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• High School Diploma or GED

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Proficiency with a computer
• Basic knowledge of substance-use disorders
• Basic knowledge of mental health disorders and symptom presentation
• Basic understanding of trauma-informed care
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries
• Ability to complete all necessary tasks assigned during a shift
• Ensuring patient safety at all times
• Communicating efficiently and effectively with patients and staff
• Consistently checking and responding to emails in a timely fashion
• Ability to safely administer medication using an Electronic Health Record
• Treat all patients, staff, visitors, and callers in a courteous and professional manner
• Complete assigned tasks efficiently and thoroughly with little to no follow-up from supervisor
• Demonstrate awareness of when it is appropriate and necessary to ask for help
• Ability to take an active role in upholding Fora’s policies and procedures
• Ability to respectfully hold patients accountable to adhering to program rules and expectations
• Ability to de-escalate crisis situations while remaining calm and respectful of all parties involved
• Reliability regarding being on-time for shifts, completing shifts, and following agency attendance procedures (i.e. call-in policy, requests for PTO, etc.)

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• For employees with a history of substance use disorder, Fora Health’s policy requires certification of a minimum of two years of sobriety for this position.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Ability to pass DHS criminal background check.
• Position will require some amount of regular connection to work via cell phone to answer questions and respond to internal and external contacts.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position generally works in an indoor office environment with infrequent travel between sites or to special events.
• Position requires some overtime, including evening and weekend work. Adjustment of work schedule may be required.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases which can encompass a variety of illnesses and infections, including tuberculosis, Hepatitis A, B, and C, and HIV.
• Possible exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized, disabled or emotionally disturbed adults and families.
• Shift work may include day, swing and graveyard hours.
• Exposure to potentially hazardous cleaning chemicals, personal protective equipment provided. 
• Fast-paced, high volume work environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• 35% of time standing 
• 35% of time walking to meetings, groups
• 30% of time sitting performing computer work, attending meetings
• Lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds of office and patient supplies and belongings 
• Climbing up and down stairs several times per day; elevator available
• Handling, reaching,stooping and crouching when searching and preparing patient rooms, organizing supplies
• Speaking and hearing in communication with staff, patients, outside parties
• Seeing identify and differentiate between people and reading computer screens, medication bottles, 
• Cleaning up biohazard material (PPE provided)