Transition Specialist

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•RICHMOND, TX

2d•$3,581 - $5,372•Onsite

About The Position

The Transition Specialist performs routine consultative services and provides technical assistance to interdisciplinary team (IDT) members, including individuals served at a State Supported Living Center (SSLC), regarding community living options. The role assists with planning, developing, and implementing educational opportunities for individuals, legally authorized representatives (LARs), families, SSLC staff, community providers, and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities (LIDDAs). It helps the IDT identify barriers to community referrals and transitions, develop action plans, and initiate programming to address those barriers. The specialist also serves as a liaison to community providers and LIDDAs to keep IDT members informed about available community living options. The position works under the moderate supervision of the Transition Specialist Coordinator and with guidance from the Admission/Placement Coordinator at each SSLC, with limited latitude to use initiative and independent judgment. The role is based at the Richmond State Supported Living Center in Richmond, Texas, is not eligible for telework, and requires travel up to 60%. Flexibility in work hours may be required, including overtime or extended hours, and weekend and holiday work is required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with a major in a human services field and one year of experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities or other disabilities; alternatively, four years of qualifying work experience in a community serving individuals with disabilities may substitute for the education requirement.
Ability to prepare reports and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to work professionally with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family members, guardians, staff, community providers, and others.
Knowledge of HHS community programs, including ICF/IDD and Medicaid waiver programs.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and devise solutions to problems.
Computer skills in Word, Excel, and other Microsoft Office products.
Must possess a valid Texas driver's license or obtain one within 90 days after hire. Applicants with an out-of-state license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of licensure; an eligible driving record is required under HHSC Fleet Management policy.
Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and required registry checks, including CANRS, Nurse Aide, Medication Aide, Employee Misconduct, and the HHS List of Excluded Individuals/Entities.
Must be willing to work weekends and holidays; flexibility, overtime, and extended hours may be required.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to work at a state-operated facility.
Males ages 18–25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
State Supported Living Center employees are subject to random drug testing.
Must meet pre-employment work eligibility and any applicable background or due diligence checks.

Nice To Haves

Work experience with community ICF/IID and HCS waiver programs is preferred.
Four years of work experience in a community serving individuals with disabilities, including identifying obstacles, developing action plans, initiating programming to overcome obstacles, and identifying community resources and programs, may substitute for the bachelor's degree requirement.

Responsibilities

Provide consultative services and technical assistance to SSLC interdisciplinary teams regarding needed supports and services for individuals referred for alternate placement, barriers to placement, and programming to overcome those barriers.
Help develop educational tools about living options and the transition process for individuals, LARs and families, and interdisciplinary team members.
Schedule and conduct training on community living options, the community transition process, and transition planning.
Assist Admission/Placement staff with the annual obstacle report and other reports for SSLC administrative and management teams.
Collaborate in planning and coordinating annual community provider fairs.
Coordinate and schedule tours of community provider group homes, day habilitation programs, individualized skills and supports programming, and vocational programs to support provider selection.
Serve as a liaison to individuals, LARs and families, interdisciplinary team members, staff, community providers, and local authorities regarding community referral and transition processes.
Consult with local authorities and community providers to identify resources and maintain a Resource Guide of available community supports and services in the SSLC's geographic area.
Assist with transporting individuals to scheduled activities related to community placement and in emergency situations as needed.
Maintain reports and logs of transition activities, educational opportunities, tours, and in-services.
Participate in or support agency disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activation, which may require an alternate shift or location.
Perform related work and other duties as assigned; attend work regularly and comply with assigned schedules, which may include rotating schedules, extended shifts, or overtime.