In both a working and training capacity, provides care, training, and assistance to individuals having developmental disabilities who reside in a Residential Habilitation Center (RHC). The client training occurs in a residential unit or other areas on or off campus, depending upon the location of the client.

This is a twelve-month in-training position.  This individual works under the supervision of a higher level Attendant Counselor (AC).  Attendant Counselor Trainees learn to write and implement programs which have been developed/designed by higher level Attendant Counselors or by other individuals with specific professional qualifications. They learn to write Individual Habilitation Plan (IHP) assessments, and to participate in IHP meetings.  Attendant Counselor Trainees monitor and report day-to-day client response for specified program objectives.  The Attendant Counselor Trainees advise higher level Attendant Counselors or other individuals with specific professional qualifications of significant variance in day-to-day client responses.

Participates in structured, off working area education and training programs; 

Participates in scheduled on-the-job training programs; as a part of the ongoing education and training process and under close supervision; 

Trains and assists clients in their own self care including bathing, dressing, grooming, and household skills; participates in the care and treatment of clients receiving specialized treatments and services, and promotes and maintains a positive reinforcing environment; 

Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team by implementing planned formal (data-based) and informal (non-data based) programs and reports outcomes under the direction of an appropriate specialist and under the supervision of a higher level Attendant Counselor; 

Uses sophisticated training techniques designed to teach the clients specified parts of the IHP; 

Writes IHP assessments; 

Assists day training, recreation, psychology, and other personnel in training client's social, recreational, self-help, vocational, and pre-academic skills on and off campus; 

Escorts, monitors, participates in, and/or trains clients in groups or individually, to, during and from recreational and social activities, vocational training, clinics, and other on or off campus activities; 

Observes, documents, and reports changes in client's general physical or mental condition or unusual behavior and takes appropriate action to provide client safety, security, and protection from abuse and neglect; 

Checks and inventories client clothing and personal possessions, living unit supplies, and other inventories; maintains client records and other related records, makes reports; 

Maintains the residential living unit in an organized, clean and safe condition; 

Provides information on policies and procedures to client's relatives/guardians; 

Performs other related work as required.

Knowledge of:  fundamental expressive and receptive communication skills including but not limited to a proficiency in reading, writing, and verbal discourse; the philosophy of the interdisciplinary team process and procedures of individual habilitation planning; principles and techniques of behavior management and skill acquisition. 

Ability to:  acquire and assimilate skills and techniques necessary for training and habilitation of the developmentally disabled; follow written and oral instructions; cope with clientele demonstrating a variety of unconventional behavioral and physical needs.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Graduation from high school or GED.

OR 

Equivalent education/experience.