Medical Support Specialist - Housing Services

Medical Support Specialist

Enjoy making a difference? Join the team at Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), enriching the lives of others, one individual at a time. FREE benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.

Position Summary

The primary role of the Medical Support Specialist (MSS) is to provide supervision and oversight to the people residing in the specialized Atlantic ICF residence who demonstrate high medical needs. The MSS works with the people we support in order to help them achieve their personal outcomes. This includes working with them to develop daily living and informed decision-making skills while also supporting their health and safety. The MSS also assists with active treatment including goal planning, community integration and inclusion. This role requires the ability to speak, read, and write in English at a level sufficient to successfully complete required training, understand and follow support plans, communicate with care teams and providers, accurately document services and patient information, and to comply with health and safety standards.

Duties, Responsibilities, and Essential Functions

• Provides hands on support and guidance to help the people we support identify and achieve their personal life goals
• Ensures medical equipment is in working condition and communicates any issues promptly to management and nursing
• Advocates with and for the people we support in a variety of situations
• Assists with continuity of care and provides support outside the facility as requested
• Provides continuous ongoing active treatment in accordance with federal guidelines and the persons activity plan/schedule
• Works with the people we support to teach them new life skills
• Works with the people we support and other members of the interdisciplinary team to develop service plans that aid the person in achieving their personal life goals
• Assists the people we support to overcome barriers and challenges in establishing and maintaining a network of relationships and valued social roles
• Documents service provision, daily notes, and other information accurately, as required
• Provides positive behavior support to the people we support as necessary
• Works in partnership with the people we support to promote their health and safety
• Prevents, recognizes, and reports abuse toward the people we support
• Tracks and documents community integration and outings for the people we support
• Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed/processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds
• Performs other duties as assigned

Responsibilities of All FREE Employees

Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community. Complies fully with FREE's confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees. Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk. Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/meetings/reviews/committees, including ones outside of standard working hours. Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance. Adheres to FREE's standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Experience: Minimum of six (6) months of experience providing services and direct supports to people with disabilities required Experience with high medical needs programs preferred.
• Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications: Valid CPR/FA and SCIP certifications required (provided upon hire if needed) Valid AMAP certification required (must obtain within 120 days of hire)
• Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities: Proficient computer skills preferred Functional proficiency in spoken and written English Proficient writing skills with grasp of basic grammar and spelling Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keeping others informed and anticipating needs is essential Must be efficient, well organized, and have excellent communication skills
• Other Requirements: 18 years of age or older No convictions for crimes that preclude a person from working with members of a vulnerable population Valid driver's license and satisfy criteria to be an agency driver required Based on business needs, loss of driving privileges may result in change of work location, shift, weekly hours, or termination of employment.

Work Environment

This role is performed in-person. Some travel between FREE and community locations required.

Physical Requirements

Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours). Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets. Employee is required to reach with hands and arms. Employee is required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or stand on a stool as needed. Employee is required to be able to lift 50 pounds at a time. Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE.

FREE is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected characteristic. In addition to federal law requirements, FREE complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in all of its locations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises