Developmental Specialist (Day Program)

Developmental Specialist For Day Programs

The Developmental Specialist for Day Programs provides case management, treatment planning, and direct support for persons served including advocacy, family contact, and all related documentation. Provides supervision, training, leadership, and assistance to Program Instructors, interns, relief staff, and volunteers. Assists in the daily implementation of Individual Support Plans (ISPs), recommended schedules and plans. Follows Policies & Procedures as outlined by Vinfen in supporting DDS regulations, and CARF standards.

The Developmental Specialist for Day Programs has a range of duties including:

• Provides training, coaching, mentoring, and staff development activities, as needed. Directs observation and clinical interaction with Instructors during program hours.
• Participates in the development of persons served ISP's, Safety Assessment, and other assessments. Includes recommendations from Assistant Clinical Director (ACD) and other professional/para-professional staff. Manages a caseload of individuals served.
• Implements, monitors, and evaluates the effectiveness of prescribed clinical, adaptive skills, communication, and other programs. Provides recommendations or implements changes to ensure continuous improvement of skills.
• Advocates for needs of persons served in all areas. Promotes self-expression, self-reliance, and creativity for all persons served. Assures the preservation of human rights for persons served. Acts as positive role model to Program Instructors and persons served.
• Prepares for and attends consultation meetings with clinical staff, including Assistant Clinical Director and other paraprofessionals
• Works directly with persons served individually and in groups. Assists with community involvement, relationship building, personal care, and activities of daily living. Works to promote independence in everyday life.
• Acts as advocate for individuals in all areas.

About Vinfen

Why Vinfen? We are committed to you! We offer great training, great benefits, career growth and job security!

Our comprehensive and generous benefits package includes:

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field preferred, but experience may substitute for education. High School diploma or GED required.
• 1-2 years of related experience.
• Strong time management, organizational and writing skills.
• 21 years of age and have a current, valid, US drivers' license for at least 6 months preferred but not required
• Must become CPR, First Aid certified within 2 weeks of employment and MAP certified within 150 days of employment.
• Must be able to successfully pass a CORI, SORI, reference, national fingerprinting and driving record check.

Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge of human, civil, and legal rights

Knowledge of empowerment and use of self-advocacy techniques

Knowledge of applied behavioral analysis with developmental disabilities population

Knowledge and use of different communication styles

Knowledge of advocacy techniques

Knowledge of formal and informal assessment practices

Knowledge of participatory planning techniques

Knowledge of required independent living management skills

Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques

Knowledge of available community resources, job, and training opportunities

Knowledge of documentation requirements

Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues

Persuasive, collaborative, and participative skills

Presentation skills

Ability to create strategies for persons served

Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team

Ability to provide a positive role model

Ability to balance competing priorities

Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity

Typical Requirements: One to two years experience in a related function.

Preferred /Required Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Driving Requirements: Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least one year, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.

Physical Effort: Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist persons served with activities of daily living. Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with persons served, staff, and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. For positions in day programs or group residences, the ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.

Required Certifications: CPR required within two weeks of hire First Aid required within two weeks of hire Safety Care required within 90 days of hire MAP required within 150 days of hire NET required

Pay Range

USD $23.58 - USD $23.58 /Hr.