Day Hab Therapy Specialist

Job Description

Job Description:\n\n 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.Assist with toileting of individuals, hygiene, and ADLs as needed.Attend and participate in employee meetings, trainings, and development.Perform other related duties as assigned by the Assistant Director – Day Habilitation Director and/or Executive Director. EDUCATION High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) certification.CNA Certification preferred, but not required (training provided if not already certified). EXPERIENCE At least six months related experience and/or training in working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or in healthcare, with a demonstrated working knowledge of principles of positively supporting this population. The employee will be trained in Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and management of aggressive behavior (i.e. NVMAB) and be capable of implementing these management techniques, which may involve physical contact in emergency situations. The employee will be trained in First Aid and CPR. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS A satisfactory background check, including CORI and Fingerprinting is required. Individual must have a valid Massachusetts driver’s license and satisfactory driving record. Individual must have current First Aid and CPR certification. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS The employee must be a enthusiastic and collaborative team player and have the ability to work harmoniously with those served, their families/guardians, staff, and other professionals. The employee must be able to take instruction from the Program Director as well as work independently. The employee must display a professional manner and exhibit diplomacy and confidentiality when working with those served. The employee must possess patience, good judgment, tact, accuracy, and reliability. They must have the ability to implement ideas by planning, preparing and organizing. They must have the ability to set and manage changing priorities and exhibit good time management and multi-tasking skills. The employee must demonstrate a high regard for each person and display sensitivity for cultural values, expectations, and goals of participants, families/guardians, staff and others. They must possess good communication skills and have the ability to speak comfortably, intelligibly, pleasantly, and efficiently with those served, their families/guardians, colleagues and management staff, even in difficult situations. They must demonstrate attention to detail and possess good observation skills. The employee must be an active listener and regularly seek feedback and input from the participants served. The employee must be able to accept constructive criticism from managers and/or directors. LANGUAGE SKILLS The employee must demonstrate the ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, policies, and procedure manuals. The employee must have the ability to compose routine reports and correspondence. They must have the ability to communicate effectively before groups of participants or agency employees. The employee must be able to fluently speak and understand English for effective teamwork and coordination. Bi-lingual language skills may be helpful. REASONING ABILITY The employee must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. They must have the ability to handle problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. They must have the ability to assess situations and resolve problems without supervision. The employee must have a good understanding and practice of various communication styles and behavioral support principles. The employee must have knowledge of working with participants who have disabilities and have the ability to help them develop their social, academic and functional skills. COMPUTER SKILLS Computer literate, preferable in Microsoft Office for documentation and recordkeeping skills.Must have the ability to troubleshoot computer issues.Must have the ability to learn and comprehend new computer programs. OTHER REQUIREMENTS Must be legally permitted to work with and around children (check of the National Sex Offender public website will be conducted). Must be able to drive agency vehicles, including 10-passsenger van. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak clearly and have the ability to hear and understand directions and requests. Must be able to use arms/shoulders, hands and fingers to handle or feel objects and people. Must be able to have full use of wrists, hands and fingers for computer work and writing. Must have the ability to work attentively at computer, maintaining focus and concentration on voluminous information, is crucial. The employee will regularly be required to sit, stand, walk and possibly stoop, kneel, or crouch for extended periods of time while performing the duties of this job. The employee is frequently required to lift/ and or move objects (i.e. office supplies, etc.) unassisted. The employee will need to assist, lift and/or move individuals in and out of wheelchairs (as outlined above) and intervene verbally and physically with individuals during behavior incidents. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The Arc of Greater Brockton operates smoke-free facilities. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, occasionally loud. Due to the unpredictable, inappropriate, social and physical behavior of the participants AGB serves, an employee may be exposed to offensive language and inappropriate body expressions. An employee needs to cope in a positive manner with a work environment that may be suddenly stressful at times. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. They will be required to follow any other reasonable instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their supervisor. Should a vacancy occur in this position, the Executive Director may recommend other specific qualifications for this Job Description. I have read and received a copy of my job description and I understand the requirements of the position as set forth above and I am able and willing to perform the required functions, with or without reasonable accommodation. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­____________________________ __________________________ Employee Date I have reviewed this job description with the employee. ____________________________ __________________________ Executive Director Date