Residential Advocate - Discovery House- PRN chez OhioGuidestone

Where New Paths Begin

OhioGuidestone, a social service agency,  is the state’s leader in community behavioral health care, serving around 26,000 Ohioans each year. We focus on the needs of the whole person by providing telehealth and in-person prevention services, as well as mental health and substance use treatment. As we help people navigate the most difficult times in their lives—with compassion and respect—we ultimately empower them to take steps towards a healthier future. 

At OhioGuidestone, we believe recovery is possible! Because of this, we have continued to extend services to our clients in recovery. Our Medina program has a need for Residential Advocates in our recovery housing environment for women in recovery. At Discovery Recovery clients will have access to peer support and an on-site house manager, the goal of Discovery Recovery is to help women become stable in their recovery. The goal of the recovery house is to provide residents with guidance on how to maintain stable sober housing and how to live in a communal setting while providing crisis intervention and medication as necessary.

This is a PRN role with all shifts available!

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains a peer/coach relationship with residents.

• Completes all necessary paperwork and documentation per Agency standards, including client case notes, and inspects forms to ensure accuracy.
• Professionally answers incoming calls to the house on the business line, and conveys messages to staff, and clients, or forwards to the appropriate department.
• Supervises clients, and assists in the care and environmental services of the home.
• Acts as a team player to ensure staff coverage for the home is maintained.
• Promotes the efficient and effective use of Agency resources, including both labor and consumable supplies.
• Complies with and supports others in complying with the Policies and Procedures of OhioGuidestone.
• Observes all rules of confidentiality as they relate to client information both internally and in dealing with outside individuals and/or agencies.
• Acts as a knowledgeable resource on topics such as client rights and the procedures governing them.
• Utilizes empathic and active listening skills to provide emotional support to residents.
• Provides linkage and referral services to residents when needed, assists in teaching needed skills related to activities of daily living, and advocates for residents as needed.
• Handles crisis situations in a calm, quick, and efficient manner. When necessary, calls the House Manager, emergency services, or the appropriate authorities as the situation demands.
• Promotes positive staff/client interactions through role modeling and teaching.
• Creates a welcoming and calming atmosphere, and exhibits excellent role model skills to effectively resolve conflict.
• Regularly administers urine drug screens on clients
• Maintains appropriate professional and personal boundaries with staff and clients.
• Responsible for transporting clients when needed to appointments or treatment meetings using a personal vehicle.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• May be involved in the planning, organization, and implementation of special events or department specific projects or seasonal program changes.

• Exhibits positivity, flexibility, and a willingness to take on new responsibilities as requested or required.
• Demonstrates positive leadership, promotes an inclusive work environment and presents the Agency in the most positive light with all internal and external contacts.

Performance/Physical Requirements:

• Provides direct resident support services
• Responsible for monitoring the household and supervising resident’s activities in addition to crisis intervention as needed
• Must be available to residents when they need to talk; must be sensitive yet observant in order to log pertinent information for use by other staff

• Work is performed in a residential house and wherever residents go on the surrounding campus and in the community

• Advocates help to acclimate new residents to the home and communal living

• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs to perform routine checks on clients
• Able to move or transport approximately a minimum of 20 pounds

• Responsible for the safety and well-being of all residents

• English reading and writing skills
• Interacts verbally with residents, families, co-workers, and representatives from outside agencies
• Attention to detail and confidentiality
• Ability and willingness to work holidays

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma with 3 years of mental health or related experience* required.  Associate’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field with 1 year of mental health or related experience.*  CDCA or PRS Certification preferred.

• Must have a valid Ohio Driver’s License with a safe driving record and valid insurance
• Ability to take and pass a physical exam, tuberculosis test, and drug screening.
• Experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR), Evolv preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in residential SUD services preferred.
• Must have a valid Ohio Driver’s License with a safe driving record.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license in the state of Ohio with insurance coverage of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate per year.

• Ability to take and pass a physical exam and drug screening.
• *Funding sources may require OhioGuidestone to hire an advanced degree

At OhioGuidestone we care about the health and safety of our employees. OhioGuidestone requires applicants to complete a pre-employment screening process upon receipt of an offer of employment. We require and cover the cost of fingerprint background screening, physical, Tuberculosis test, and drug screen after an employment offer is made. Any employment offer is contingent upon receipt of all satisfactory pre-employment screenings.

We believe that fostering a workforce that reflects diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives strengthens our organization. Embracing diversity not only promotes a culture of respect and belonging, but it also enhances creativity, innovation, and problem-solving, ultimately contributing to our collective success.