Day Hab Therapy Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Arc of Greater Brockton (AGB)

Day Habilitation/Rehabilitation Specialist

(non-exempt position)

REPORTS TO: Director – Family Support & Day Habilitation, Assistant Director – Day Habilitation

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None

The Day Habilitation/Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for directly supporting individuals with developmental and other disabilities served through the program and will work closely with the Assistant Director – Day Habilitation, clinical employees, and Day Habilitation Specialists in the development and implementation of all Day Habilitation Service Plans. The Day Habilitation/Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for implementing individuals’ Day Habilitation Service Plan (DHSP) objectives and documenting their progress. 

This position will be responsible for participants in our Brockton and Easton facilities, which will require travel between the two facilities during the work week.

The Day Habilitation/Rehabilitation Specialist position is “hands on” which requires all work, with the exception of visits to off-site locations to provide support and training, to be performed at AGB offices. This is not a “remote” position.

As with all positions at The Arc of Greater Brockton, consistent punctual arrival at work, regular commitment to required hours, can-do attitude, and adherence to the Organization’s policies is expected and an essential aspect of employment.

• Ensure and safeguard The Arc of Greater Brockton (AGB) participants’ human dignity, rights, and liberties.

• Implement Day Habilitation Service Plan (DHSP) objectives for participants to include, but not limited to:

• Assist participants to identify, develop and participate in a variety of meaningful activities to increase functional independence.
• Support participants as appropriate, in making and expressing choices throughout their day, to include a total communication system.
• Assist participants to build on their individual strengths and interests.
• Identify and provide the support needed by participants to successfully become a part of the community and to participate in activities; according to each individualized needs and wishes.
• Plan weekly schedules with participants and implement designated activities.
• Consistently incorporate participant’s therapeutic goals into daily activities, etc.

• Work in collaboration with the Day Hab Case Manager for assigned participants, and perform duties necessary to achieve individual objectives, including, but not limited to:

• Maintain accurate, thorough, and up-to-date individual case records for each participant assigned to caseload.

• Document each participant’s progress towards DHSP objectives, including, but not limited to:

• Report daily activities and any out of the ordinary incidents in the participant’s communication log; encourage the person to share information with his/her their home care giver. The Day Habilitation/Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for signing their initials at the end of the correspondence and reporting any out of the ordinary experiences to the Director/Assistant Director.
• Document daily DHSP progress in daily log, being as behaviorally specific as possible.
• Submit quarterly progress notes on participant’s DHSP according to an established schedule.
• Complete all necessary data sheets for the Physical, Occupational, Speech and Behavioral Therapists.
• Complete incident reports as necessary; to include behavioral incident reports.
• Evaluate and document unmet needs on a monthly basis, using “Evaluation of Potential Service Needs” form, and submit to Assistant Director – Day Habilitation.

• Responsible for implementing exercise goals established by the Healthcare Team as specified in the recommendations of the applicable evaluations. 

• Work in collaboration with the Positive Behavior Support Coordinator, including building and implementing a sensory group with varied activities to support participants.

• Observe participants in the various AGB Day Programs (Day Hab, CBDS, Employment) and help identify those that would benefit from additional occupational therapy support services.
• Provide guidance and support as requested by AGB Team members in reference to participants with physical challenges who attend evening and weekend recreation and respite activities and programs.

• Assist participants physically as necessary, including, but not limited to:

- Using the restroom. This includes, but is not limited to: physically assisting with all aspects of toileting when needed, which can involve changing feminine pads, changing adult pull-ups, removal of soiled clothing, assistance with colostomy bags, and other duties as required.

- Regularly lift and/or transfer/move participants in and out of wheelchairs, vehicles, up from and down to a mat, etc.

 *Any lifting over approximately 30 pounds requires assistance.

HABILITATION

SPECIALIST

% of time

1 to 33%

OCCASIONAL

% of time

34 to 66%

FREQUENT

% of time

67 to 100%

CONSISTENT

5 Pounds

X

5 to 20 pounds

X

20 to 30 pounds

X

30 to 80 pounds w/ assistance

X

80 + pounds w/ assistance

X

- Eating: assistance and monitoring per individual needs.

- Grooming/hygiene.

• Walking.
• Emergency evacuation.
• Behavioral incidents: intervene verbally and physically with individuals as appropriate.

• Ensure participants’ health, safety and general well-being, including, but not limited to: 

• Assist participants to maintain good hygiene at all times.
• Maintain a safe, clean and stimulating environment.
• Ensure that all participants follow diet orders including food consistency.
• Keep the Assistant Director informed of any potential problems or needs of the participant that may arise and are not being addressed.
• Follow established chain of communication in regard to each person’s needs, concerns, etc. 

• Support participants as active members of the community by providing or maintaining community-based habilitation/therapeutic experiences through social, recreational, and volunteer opportunities, based on the participants' needs and wishes.
• Meet with clinical/rehabilitation staff to review services and involvement of each participant, and to ensure integration and continuity of habilitation services.
• Actively participate in work teams to accomplish common tasks, solve problems, share ideas, and plan for change.
• Promote accessibility for people with disabilities in the community by identifying and addressing existing and potential barriers to access (architectural, attitudinal, etc.)
• Transport participants, as assigned for community based activities.
• Comply with all safety regulations and report any hazards, injuries, or violations immediately.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with participants, family members/guardians, community contacts, co-workers, supervisors, funding sources, etc.
• Responsible for monitoring clients for safety during the designated lunch period, implementing adaptive equipment (and any established recommendations from the speech therapy dept), and following established eating protocols.