Various live-in facilities necessitate the presence of an on-site attendant at all times of the day. This person is known as a residential counselor in group homes, boarding schools, substance recovery centers, and assisted living facilities. He or she is in charge of the residents of his or her facility’s treatment and care.
A residential counselor’s job is considered to be a difficult one. It frequently entails 24-hour availability and complete monitoring of people who need constant supervision. This person may be in charge of facilitating individual or group counseling in the residence, depending on their qualifications.
A residential counselor is in charge of coordinating a variety of resident activities, depending on the institution. Solving social and interpersonal issues, coordinating educational and recreational events, assigning and managing living arrangements, planning programs for both groups and individuals, ordering needed supplies or provisions, and keeping track of the facility’s records are all examples of these responsibilities. General housekeeping may also be a requirement.
People with special needs may be served residential counselors. If this is the case, they were most likely trained for this job on the job or in a classroom setting. Residential counselors may work with people with special needs such as young adults, drug addicts, and people with disabilities.
Residential counselors may be required to work both independently and as part of a team. They almost always need to be able to drive a car. Assisting residents with daily living skills, documenting activities, arranging transportation for residents, teaching residents to perform self-help tasks, scheduling recreational and medical services, and assisting residents in meeting their goals are just a few of the job responsibilities.
A residential counselor’s job may also include maintaining relationships with resident family members. He or she may be required to provide legal guardians with feedback, detailed notes, and progress reports. Completing and filing monthly reports is a common task.
A high school diploma or its equivalent is required for the majority of residential counselor jobs. Many residential counselors have studied interpersonal communication, sociology, psychology, mental health, or other human services fields. Depending on the facility, some certifications, such as first aid or food handling, may be required.
A person may wish to study psychology and sociology in college in order to become a residential counselor. When applying for this job, flexibility, organizational skills, leadership qualities, and interpersonal skills can all be beneficial. Because residential counselors typically work with people who have special needs, a positive attitude is usually required for the job. Volunteering with groups with similar backgrounds to the residents of the facility for which an applicant is applying, such as summer camps, can also be beneficial.