Sanford Careers

Job Summary

The role of the Lead Resident Support Specialist is to supervise clients and assist with day-to-day operations on the unit. This role conducts safety checks and is responsible for independently managing a community setting for clients. This position also ensures that patient care is being conducted according to policies and standards set by Sanford Behavioral Health. This role is responsible for establishing a positive and trusting rapport with clients As a Resident Support Specialist, this position will provide high-quality, client-centered care to clients with behavioral health and substance use disorder challenges.  

Role and Responsibilities

• Independently manage a community setting for clients.  
• Perform intake, transfer, and discharge duties, including admission documents, orientation, surveys, and communication with the care team.  
• Facilitate meal support with clients (Eating Disorder program only).  
• Encourage client participation in recreational, recovery, cultural, and spiritual activities.  
• Provide transportation for clients to appointments, meetings, recreational activities, and outings.  
• Assist with conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques as needed.  
• Facilitate groups with clients and enter individualized notes in the EMR.  
• Assist with hospitality and daily living needs for clients.  
• Perform discharge duties for clients including providing retained property, ensuring documentation is complete, etc.   
• Administer medications as prescribed, in accordance with medical procedures.  
• Take and record vital signs as ordered.  
• Communicate medical concerns, including medication refill needs, to medical providers and the treatment team.  
• Assist with medical emergencies by providing basic first aid or obtaining help from nursing/medical staff or paramedics.  
• Respond to emergencies, including providing direction during evacuation procedures.  
• Conduct belonging searches, remove unapproved items, and safely store patient property; perform room searches as needed.  
• Monitor for and address potential safety hazards.  
• Conduct and participate in safety drills, including fire, weather, and critical incident drills.  
• Provide direction to other RSS in the facility.  
• Assist with coordinating staffing coverage for each shift.   
• Ensure the unit is stocked with food, beverages, and necessary supplies.  
• Coordinate client excursions after programming and on weekends.  
• Communicate shift changes and end-of-shift notes to appropriate staff.  
• Prepare and submit critical incident reports when required.  
• Assist with facilities maintenance and other units/departments as needed.  
• Attend required training and staff meetings 
• Complete other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications and Education Requirements  

• High School Diploma or higher education, required. 
• Current or former First Responder/Veteran, or experience working with this population, required. 
• Two (2) years of experience with extensive knowledge of mental health issues and substance use disorders, required.  
• Associate degree in behavioral science or related field, preferred. 
• Unrestricted Driver’s License, required. 
• Current certification in CPR/AED and First Aid, preferred. 
• If a Veteran, honorable discharge required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of the field of chemical dependency, eating disorders, and/or mental health. 
• Attention to detail and efficient time-management skills. 
• Experience with conflict resolution. 
• Medication administration experience and proficiency.  
• Effective communication skills, self-motivation, and good decision-making ability.  
• Crisis management and de-escalation skills. 
• Knowledge of suicide and self-harm and behaviors.  
• Ability to adhere to and knowledge of all HIPAA guidelines. 
• Knowledge of electronic medical records (EMR) and ability to document in the EMR. 
• Working knowledge or ability to learn the Microsoft365 application. 
• Ability to identify own strengths and areas of improvement and communicate needs to supervisor. 
• Demonstrates professional behavior reflective of Sanford’s Mission Statement, Philosophy, and Values.  
• Must be able to relate well to all kinds of people both inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.  
• Must possess positive attitude to enhance a cooperative and energetic work environment.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 
• Prolonged periods of walking and standing. 
• Must be able to perform repetitive tasks such as typing for extended periods of time. 
• Must be able to adapt to the physical demands of lifting clients, bending, stooping, and stretching with or without assistance. 
• Must be able to clearly express and exchange ideas by means of spoken words to impart oral information to employees or others accurately or quickly, engaging in sometimes lengthy conversations or presentations. 
• Capable of monitoring the facility and lifting up to ten (10) pounds. 
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs daily.  
• Must be able to operate a 12-15 passenger van, including ascending and descending from the front seat. 
• Must be able to seize, hold, grasp, turn or otherwise work with your hand or hands. 
• Must be able to perceive sound by ear to interpret oral information from employees or others accurately or quickly. 
• Work will be performed in an office environment with fluctuating temperatures.

ADA Disclaimer

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position adequately.  If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. All requests must be made to the Human Resource Department in writing.