Residential Program Specialist

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