Program Specialist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Minimum age: 21.
• A demonstrated ability to appropriately acknowledge and respond to the multiple needs of the population served is required; effective communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds, pursue clients on foot, physically restrain (with appropriate training), bend, squat, and reach. Must be able to stand for several hours at a time.
• Prior to employment, medical certification and child abuse clearances are required.
• Must possess a valid drivers’ license.

Nice To Haves

• Prior supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create a safe work environment that promotes open communication in which staff feel safe in reporting concerns
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Seek staff’s input, encourage creativity, and empower staff to make decisions
• Facilitate staff teamwork
• Encourage staff to maintain appropriate boundaries between personal and professional issues
• Teach, coach, counsel, and provide feedback and support to staff in achieving direct support competencies
• Maintain contact with supported individuals, their families, and team members
• Evaluate quality of supports to the individual and make recommendations for improvements
• Have knowledge of available resources within the organization and advocate for services that would benefit the individuals served
• Educate communities about people with developmental disabilities and promote positive community relations
• Ensure professional working relationships with licensing inspectors, auditors, and placing agency staff
• Monitor implementation of individual service and behavior intervention plans and provide feedback to staff
• Provide input for individual’s goals
• Implement all required systems and procedures to ensure individuals receive their required level of supervision
• Review incident reports, make required notifications, and follow up as necessary
• Ensure active engagement of individuals by direct care staff
• Conduct regular observations of each assigned home to monitor staff performance as it relates safety standards, therapeutic milieu, individual education, adherence to level of supervision, and other relevant treatment standards
• Interview potential staff and make recommendations for hire
• Complete supervisory follow up on staff injury reports; address any concerns and report pertinent observations to the manager
• Provide feedback to staff on performance, complete performance reviews, and issue disciplinary action when necessary
• Attend all employee relations related meetings as required (i.e. unemployment hearings)
• Have a working knowledge of HR policies and procedures and seek consultation when necessary
• Plan special events and activities with input from staff and individuals
• Communicate with other supervisors and support personnel (i.e., secretarial, finance/billing, dietary, transportation, facilities, purchasing, human resources, and health services) to effectively resolve concerns
• Listen and respond to staff questions and crises and follow up as needed
• Initiate discussions and facilitate debriefing sessions with staff following the use of emergency restraint and other significant incidents
• Demonstrate ability to prioritize tasks and delegate appropriately
• Manage personal stress
• Respect the confidentiality and privacy of staff
• Monitor, report, and address employee job satisfaction and morale as well as staff turnover
• Inspire, motivate, teach, coach and counsel staff to achieve high levels of performance
• Attend in-service training and work with direct supervisors to develop a personal development plan
• Provide orientation and on-the-job training to new staff and ongoing staff training to all staff including but not limited to the sharing of appropriate training resources and trainings related to individual specific needs
• Solicit feedback from staff, individuals and their families on staff training needs
• Identify training opportunities for direct support staff
• Identify, report, and follow up on repairs and maintenance tasks
• Identify emergency safety issues and ensure immediate reporting and follow up
• Delegate, monitor, and ensure that routine household tasks are completed and meet expectations
• Complete regular home inspections as directed by the manager
• Complete regular inspections of home/program safety equipment at predetermined frequencies. To include fire systems, door/window alarm systems, delayed egress systems.
• Ensure that staff are trained and follow infection control procedures and have all needed supplies
• Ensure that staff are trained in the Emergency Preparedness Plan and have opportunities to practice as appropriate
• Monitor individuals for physical and mental health-related issues and ensure timely reporting of concerns
• Facilitate and ensure that individuals attend all routine medical, dental, and therapeutic appointments
• Assist in providing first aid and facilitate emergency medical appointments
• Conduct fire and emergency drills and follow up with concerns as needed
• Review menus with dieticians and ensure individuals receive proper diets
• Assist individuals in completing bank transactions
• Ensure that individual personal needs are met by advising the manager/program specialist of identified needs
• Manage petty cash spending as directed
• Develop staff schedules
• Prepare shift assignment sheets to include staff-individual assignments, supervision requirements, day program assignments, and other relevant appointments
• Ensure staff document on assignment sheets their understanding/acceptance of duties and responsibilities
• Monitor staff use of electronic time record
• Approve staff use of accrued time and secure staff to fill resulting vacancies
• Monitor attendance and punctuality of employees and issue disciplinary action in accordance with Woods’ policy
• Ensure regular and effective communication between day and residential program management staff
• Give and receive information via the 24-hour log and share information with staff, as needed
• Ensure adequate staffing is provided to day programs
• Respond and assist with emergency situations that occur at the day programs
• Maintain knowledge of and ensure compliance with licensing and monitoring regulations
• Maintain knowledge of and ensure compliance with Woods’ policies and procedures
• Ensure consistent implementation of systems to ensure compliance with all policies and procedures
• Respond to identified issues in licensing reviews and audits
• Solicit input from individuals and their supports in developing procedures
• Maintain professional and respectful communications
• Respond promptly to all communications (telephone calls/messages, email, pages)
• Ensure written communications are concise and grammatically correct
• Complete required paperwork and adhere to deadlines
• Demonstrate a good working knowledge of the computer and its use for work-related tasks as well as the ability to complete other various office tasks such as photocopying and filing

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• PTO- Paid time off
• On-site medical center
• 403b retirement plan
• Continuing education programs
• Tuition assisted program
• Career growth opportunities