Community Support Specialist - Transition Age Youth

Seven Counties Services•Louisville, KY

8d•Onsite

About The Position

This role focuses on providing direct support and coaching to individuals, particularly transition-age youth, in developing essential life skills and integrating into the community. The specialist will teach, model, and monitor activities of daily living, facilitate psychoeducation classes, plan community-based activities, and contribute to a safe and therapeutic environment. The position also involves acting as an ambassador for the organization, collaborating with community systems, providing transportation, and administering basic care and medication supervision as per program protocols. Documentation, confidentiality, and continuous skill enhancement are key aspects of the role.

Requirements

Up to 18 months’ training, beyond high school or GED, in direct care of individuals with disabilities.
Completion of all required trainings within 6 months of hire date.
Successfully complete, within six months of hire, the department led or approved training program per Medicaid regulations.
One year full time experience working with individuals who receive services for treatment of mental health or co-occurring disorder.
Formal documentation by supervisor of ability to function independently as direct support professional and of proficiency in providing direct support services.
Ability to provide caring, nurturing attention and care to individuals with disabilities, including those who are medically fragile and/or have intense behavioral needs and/or otherwise pose a high level of risk.
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability to communicate with verbal and nonverbal individuals.
Teaching skills.
Patience and empathy.
Maturity and judgment.
Position involves considerable physical exertion, lifting a maximum of 100 pounds, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
May include frequent lifting of patients.
18 years of age or older.
Valid driver’s license.
Proof of automobile liability insurance.
Positive driving record.
COVID and Influenza vaccinations required.

Responsibilities

Teaches, models, and coaches activities of daily living (ADL) such as personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, educational and vocational goal-setting, and nutrition needs; monitors performance of ADL skills and provides therapeutic feedback.
Teaches psychoeducation classes on recovery topics including medication side effects, ADL, communication skills, and stress management strategies.
Plans and facilitates community-based activities such as medical appointments, grocery shopping, and leisure/recreation/socialization; facilitates access to community resources like AA/NA meetings, school, and job placement.
Contributes to a safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and, as authorized, other behavior management techniques.
Serves as an ambassador of SCS and its clients by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and about SCS’s services and programming.
Collaborates with community systems on behalf of individuals served, including school, landlord, family, transportation provider, and employer.
Provides transportation using an SCS van or personal vehicle, ensuring adherence to safety practices; teaches and facilitates the use of public transportation systems.
Provides personal care as needed, including personal hygiene, toileting, laundry, meal preparation, and safe eating techniques.
Administers First Aid and CPR as needed.
Supervises self-administered medication or administers medication depending on specific clinical program protocols.
Identifies assigned clients’ food and/or medication allergies and exercises reasonable care to avoid exposure to allergens.
Communicates relevant information about care, treatment, and services with other SCS staff and authorized non-SCS providers to ensure appropriate care.
May take responsibility for specific program assignments such as the Clubhouse food program or admissions at the Crisis Stabilization Unit.
May provide limited on-the-job training to Community Support Providers.
Documents services and care provided by timely completing various forms in accordance with SCS and regulatory standards.
Maintains confidentiality of protected health information.
Attends and participates in all required staff and service planning meetings and trainings.
Maintains and enhances skills for working with clients.