Adaptive Skill Trainer

Jay Nolan Community Services•Los Angeles, CA

5d•$25 - $28•Hybrid

About The Position

As an Adaptive Skills Trainer at JNCS, you help individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities live quality lives with dignity, independence, and choice. On an average day, DSPs support people to build relationships, live safely in their own homes, and accomplish their personal, educational, and career goals. This role involves implementing individualized adaptive skills training plans, providing direct, hands-on instruction in various skill areas, and assisting individuals with challenges as directed by a supervising professional. Services are delivered in the individual’s home, workplace, and/or community settings, with a focus on promoting generalization of skills across different environments and applying evidence-based instructional strategies. The position also requires adherence to documentation and compliance requirements, including maintaining service records, submitting documentation within required time-frames, completing Electronic Visit Verification (EVV), and supporting progress report preparation. Regular communication with the supervising Adaptive Skills Training Professional and collaboration with other care team members are essential. The role also includes implementing the individual’s Support Plan, providing necessary accommodations, supporting the establishment of daily/weekly schedules, and assisting individuals in participating in age-appropriate activities to promote meaningful participation and a sense of belonging. The trainer acts as a mentor and role model, documents progress, maintains regular meetings with the supervisor, and ensures the individual's personal safety and well-being. Additionally, the role involves introducing new activities and people, providing information to family members, understanding cultural and family dynamics, utilizing appropriate support methods, and cooperatively developing an Individualized Training Plan. All documentation must be completed comprehensively and submitted in accordance with specified timelines, and all policies and procedures must be complied with.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a related field required
Knowledge of appropriate, non-invasive behavioral supports
Valid Driver’s License, working vehicle, and proof of insurance
Exhibit knowledge of Positive Behavioral Supports, Person-Centered Planning, and the understanding that all behavior is communicating an unmet need
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively
Strong customer, quality, and results presentation
Ability to interact effectively at all levels and across diverse cultures
Ability to be an effective team member
Excellent working knowledge of technology, including Smartphone Apps
Excellent communication skills both oral and written
Outstanding time management skills
Ability to proactively plan
Excellent conflict resolution skills
Highly reliable transportation with valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance
Minimum 1 year of experience with developmental disabilities
Knowledge of appropriate, non-invasive behavioral support
Knowledge of Positive Behavior Supports, Person-Centered Planning, and the understanding that all behavior is communicating an unmet need
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis preferred but not required
Direct Support Professionals must have a bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, counseling, nursing, social work, applied behavior analysis, behavioral medicine, speech and language, rehabilitation, marriage and family therapy, or a comparable degree in the human services field
Experience working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities (personal or professional) preferred but not required
Depending on position, may require a valid driver's license, reliable transportation & current auto insurance

Responsibilities

Implement individualized adaptive skills training plans developed
Provide direct, hands-on instruction in identified skill areas, including: Safety skills and community navigation, Hygiene, dressing, and grooming routines, Toileting and feeding skills (including picky eating and sensory-based food issues), Housekeeping and home management, Food purchasing and meal preparation, Technology access and use, Communication and social functioning, Choice-making and self-advocacy
Assist individuals with challenges as directed by the supervising professional
Deliver services in the individual’s home, workplace, and/or community settings, as authorized
Promote generalization of skills across settings, people, and situations
Apply evidence-based instructional strategies aligned with consumer needs and IPP goals
Adhere to JNCS’s mission, values, and all DDS/Regional Center compliance requirements
Maintain service records which include daily notes, progress data, and incident documentation, in compliance with JNCS policies and Regional Center standards
Submit session documentation within required time-frames to support billing under the assigned Regional Center authorization (service code 605)
Complete Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements for all in-home service delivery sessions
Support progress report preparation for Semi-Annual reviews by providing consistent, measurable data on the individuals' goals
Maintain regular communication with the supervising Adaptive Skills Training Professional regarding Individual progress, barriers, and plan adjustments
Collaborate with Service Coordinators, family members, and other care team members to ensure consistency of support across environments
Participate in IPP meetings and training sessions as requested
Implement the individual’s Support Plan as developed
Provide support and supervision commensurate with the assigned individual’s identified support needs
Provide the necessary accommodations to support an individual with various challenges (behavioral, physical, communication, etc.) within their home and community
Support the individual to establish a daily/weekly schedule of activities
Assist the individual to participate in age-appropriate, culturally normative activities within the individual’s home and community to promote meaningful participation, a sense of belonging, and membership
Provide feedback and intervention as specified in the Individual Support Plan
Act as a mentor and role model for socially acceptable and culturally valued ways to interact and support each other to be successful
Participate hands-on in all activities
Document the individual’s progress towards identified outcome indicators through data collection and anecdotal notes
Maintain ongoing meetings with the Supervisor at a minimum of once each month
Assist and support the person to maintain their own personal safety and well-being
Introduce the assigned individual to new activities and people within the context of the Support Plan
Provide information to family members about the unique needs of the individual to assist in the building of a more cohesive family unit
Understand cultural and family dynamics as they interplay with developing and meeting instructional milestones
Utilize appropriate non-invasive, non-intrusive methods of support
Cooperatively develop with the supervisor an Individualized Training Plan to further personal growth and skill development required to support individuals with complex support needs
Complete all documentation comprehensively in accordance with the supervisor's requirements
Submit all required documentation in accordance with specified timelines
Attend all scheduled meetings
Comply with all policies and procedures of the organization and public locations of activities
Other responsibilities as assigned