How to Become a Residential Counselor

Residential counselors have important and demanding jobs. These professionals often work at assisted living homes where the residents need constant supervision and aid. Residential counselors usually work with people who are mentally and emotionally disabled but can also work with recovering drug addicts and troubled children. You need a variety of interpersonal skills if you want to become a residential counselor.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Focus your education on subjects like sociology and psychology. Many entry-level residential counseling jobs only require a GED or high school diploma. A bachelor's or associate's degree in one of these subjects can help you get hired into a full-time position.

2. Volunteer for social service work. There are many summer camps and specialized schools that look for volunteers to help care for emotionally troubled teens. Dedicating a few weekends or nights to helping one of these organizations can provide you with the solid experience needed to become a full-time residential counselor.

3. Get certified in CPR and first aid. Many employers of residential counselors require that their workers be certified with these skills. Call nearby high schools and community centers to ask if they offer these medical training classes.

4. Work on your communication skills. A background in a field like customer service can help you build the skills you'll need to communicate with emotionally and mentally upset people. As a residential counselor, you'll often have to mitigate disputes between the people you care for.

5. Prepare yourself for a demanding job. Residential counselors need to provide support to people every hour of the day. You'll often be asked to work nights and weekends if you are hired for an entry-level position.

6. Keep yourself and your work very organized. If you want to become a successful residential counselor, you'll need to be able to keep detailed notes on what your residents do each day. You'll often be asked to relay these notes to the families of the people you care for.

Tips & Warnings

• You need special medical certification in order to give your residents their medication. Ask a local hospital if it offers these classes.
• Be prepared for a background check if you apply to be a residential counselor. You'll need a clean driving record if you want to provide transportation for your patients.
• Some responsibilities of a residential counselor include helping people bathe and use the bathroom. You need to remember that the people you work with are often unable to care for themselves at all.

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