Residential Program Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Manage a Caseload of Diverse Individuals

• Provide each individual with the opportunity to live his/her own Everyday Life
• Coordinate schedule for residential sites and assist with day program schedules
• Develop a rapport with individuals’ families and county representatives to facilitate communication in all aspects of individuals’ lives
• Schedule and attend team meetings as necessary to provide input on an individual’s progress
• Assist in updating the Individual Support Plan to meet the individuals’ needs
• Update annual assessments for the ISP and SIS assessments as necessary
• Advocate for individuals to maximize their independence in multiple capacities of their lives
• Provide direct service as needed to ensure quality of program
• Search for and provide opportunities for individuals to advance their lives
• Coordinate with Behavior Specialist regarding individual behavior plan implementation
• Provide emotional support to individuals through difficult life situations
• Model and encourage a healthy lifestyle for individuals during program hours
• Assist in identifying individuals’ strengths and how they can use them in the community
• Work closely with Crawford County Human Services on all proceedings
• Inform Support Coordinators of any changes for the individuals as they arise
• Summarize and document individual client progress as required
• Ensure that all files and client interactions remain confidential
• Assist in all emergencies and carry the on-call phone during assigned times

• Supervise Direct Service Professionals and Residential Support Professionals

• Develop rapport with Direct Support Professionals and Residential Support Professionals
• Track and monitor attendance and performance and address disciplinary issues as needed
• Ensure individuals are happy with their services and conduct monthly Quality Assurance Monitoring
• Conduct monthly group home house meetings

• Teach required annual trainings and assist in maintaining training records
  • Train new and existing Direct Support Professionals and Residential Support Professionals on the specific needs of each individual on your caseload and the home procedures
  • Monitor Direct Support Professionals and Residential Support Professionals to assess their work performance and facilitate positive change by providing verbal and written corrections when behavior goes against agency policy
  • Mentor Direct Support Professionals and Residential Support Professionals having difficulties
  • Complete critical, strength-based employee evaluations to assess DSP and RSP performance
  • Coordinate schedules and fill shifts as necessary and as directed by Program Manager
  • Maintain all individual files and house files to meet Chapter 6400 Regulations and requirements
  • Conduct self-assessment of all community homes and files at least once per year as required by licensing
  • Ensure staff are meeting all training requirements
  • Monitor monthly program-specific paperwork coming from the community homes

• Office Duties

• Update ISPs, assessments, HRSTs, and individuals’ records as changes are made
• Organize and store individuals’ files securely
• Collect and assess monthly progress reports from DSPs and RSPs to ensure outcomes are met
• Approve mileage and business expenses of Residential and Direct Support Professionals
• Approve employees’ timesheets on an ongoing basis
• Approve Residential Support Professionals’ timesheets biweekly
• Schedule and attend office, program specialist, house, and direct care staff meetings for agency updates and to provide input on changes going on in the agency
• Report incidents to HCSIS in a timely manner and follow-up when appropriate
• Track utilization and client attendance
• Maintain client files for regulations and Provider Monitoring
• All other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Per Residential Regulations, the following educational requirements are necessary for this position.

• A Master’s Degree or above from an accredited college or university and one (1) year work experience working directly with persons with intellectual disabilities.
• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years work experience working directly with persons with intellectual disabilities.
• An Associate’s Degree or sixty (60) credit hours from an accredited college or university and four (4) years work experience working directly with persons with intellectual disabilities.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply understanding and problem-solving skills to carry out detailed written or oral instructions.  Ability to deal with problems in a constantly changing environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk for long periods of time.

JOB-RELATED EXPECTATIONS: 

• Proficient with MS Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access
• Excellent organizational skills
• Flexible schedule
• Ability to communicate (verbally and written) professionally with individuals at all levels of the organization and external contacts
• Problem-solver
• Self-motivated
• Dependable
• Manage time efficiently
• Self-starter
• Ability to multi-task
• Regular attendance required
• Ability to maintain the integrity of highly confidential information
• Occasional driving expected