Program Specialist

Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania

Full Time

Shippensburg, PA 17257

Posted

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Job description

General Functions:

The position requires high level of collaboration to work closely with administration, support coordination entities, and the families of those served to reinforce the quality of supports people with developmental differences receive in their place of residence in accordance with the highest quality standards. Promote and preserve the independence of clients in their home setting by ensuring services are delivered in accordance with one’s ISP.

This position plays an integral role within county service teams working one-on-one to support adults with developmental differences/Autism who live in our communities. Our team works with the families and the individuals to ensure the individualized service plans and goal plans are carried out in the home and community where the person lives. The program specialist works in the field about 20 hours per week to meet, review and update the individuals’ person-centered support plans, support the families, coach assigned staff performance, and help Individuals attain goals which enable them to live their best lives. The position requires 20 hours each week to work directly with Individuals to support their successes and to develop relationships with their families.

Scope of Duties:

1. Oversee staff training in line with regulatory requirements.

2. Work cooperatively with peer Team Leaders, Co-Director and Statewide Director. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, supervisors, regulatory agencies and the community

3. Develop and implement service contact notes both in SetWorks or alternate electronic record, as well as in paper format. Ensure client notes are written contemporaneously and timely collected.

4. Conduct in-home orientations when new staffs are introduced to a case, assuring timely training on ISP implementation.

5. Promote and preserve the independence of clients in their home setting by insuring services are delivered in accordance with one’s ISP.

6. Coach direct support staff as assigned and model best practices for direct support professionals and make recommendations to the Associate Director pertinent to need for performance improvement.

7. Work with the manager to assure call schedule for the agency to ensure availability of community-based services during operational hours.

8. Maintain agency equipment and arrange delivery of equipment and supplies as needed to staff within client homes.

9. Participate in all ISP meetings for those directly served as well as those on the assigned caseload.

10. Participate in developing standards which ensure safe effective service to participants and families.

11. Lead and adapt to change in processes, people and the environment by using critical thinking to solve problems involving clients, personnel, finances, and emergency situations, etc.

12. Attend all interdisciplinary team services pertinent to the assigned caseload.

13. Clock in and out daily and ensure correct working hours are submitted to the Associate Director.

14. Preform other duties as needed.

ADA Essential Functions:

1. Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, talk, hear, and smell

2. Must be able to withstand being outside in all weather conditions

3. Regularly lift and move up to 50 lbs.

4. Ability to identify and/or distinguish colors.

5. Ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while remain fixed on a given point.

6. Must have a driver’s license.

Credentials/Abilities:

1. Education Requirement:

a. An associate’s degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university and 4 years of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism.

b. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and 2 years of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism.

c. A master’s degree or above from an accredited college or university and 1 year of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism.

2. IDD Program experience and previous field coaching experience is essential.

3. Employee must possess the ability to work independently, must demonstrate strong personal integrity and attention to detail, and must be adaptable and forward thinking.

4. Must be skilled in the operation of a personal computer and Microsoft Office programs for record keeping and report writing and capability to learn and become proficient in new programs. level of collaboration to work closely with administration, support coordination entities, and the families of those served to reinforce the quality of supports people with developmental differences receive in their place of residence in accordance with the highest quality standards. Promote and preserve the independence of clients in their home setting by ensuring services are delivered in accordance with one’s ISP.