Developmental Specialist

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure and safeguard individuals' human dignity, rights, and liberties.
• Demonstrate a high regard for each person and sensitivity for cultural values, expectations, and goals of individuals, families, staff, and others.
• Work effectively and cooperatively with individuals, staff, families, community members and others; presenting self and Venture in a positive and professional manner.
• Focus on providing consumer satisfaction as primary goal; regularly seeking feedback and input from persons served.
• Be an active listener and utilize clear and direct communication.
• Implement Day Habilitation Service Plan (DHSP) objectives.
• Aid individuals to identify, develop and participate in a variety of meaningful activities to increase functional independence.
• Support individuals as appropriate, in making and expressing choices, throughout their day; to include a total communication system.
• Plan weekly schedules with individuals and implement designated activities.
• Follow the learning style and implementation strategy as outlined in each person’s DHSP.
• Consistently incorporate an individual’s therapeutic goals into daily activities etc.
• Document each person’s progress towards DHSP objectives.
• Report daily activities and any unusual incidents in the individual’s data book and to the Manager; encourage the person to share information with his/her home care provider.
• Document daily DHSP progress in the daily log, being behaviorally specific.
• Submit quarterly progress notes on individuals’ DHSP to Case Manager according to an established schedule.
• Complete all necessary datasheets for Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Behavioral Therapists.
• Complete incident reports as necessary; to include behavioral incident reports.
• Aid individuals physically as necessary, including, but not limited to: using the restroom, regularly lifting and/or transferring/moving individuals in and out of wheelchairs, vehicles, from upward and downward positions to a mat etc.
• Eating: assist and monitor per individual needs.
• Grooming, hygiene, and walking.
• Follow emergency evacuation plan.
• Behavioral incidents: intervene verbally and physically with individuals as appropriate.
• Ensure individuals' health, safety and general well-being.
• Aid individuals to maintain hygiene at all times.
• Maintain a safe, clean and stimulating environment.
• Ensure that all individuals follow diet orders including food consistency.
• Keep the Manager informed of any potential problems or needs of the consumer that may arise and are not being addressed.
• Support individuals as active members of the community by providing or maintaining community-based habilitation/therapeutic experiences through social, recreational and volunteer opportunities, based on the individual’s needs and wishes.
• Adhere to all Venture Policies and Procedures.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, trainings and development.
• Work as a team member to accomplish common tasks, resolve issues and plan for change.
• Promote accessibility for people with disabilities in the community by identifying and addressing existing and potential barriers to access (architectural, attitudinal, etc.).
• Transport individuals, as assigned for community-based activities.

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities

• Handle related job duties in compliance with Agency policy.
• Interact professionally and maintain effective relationships with all other departments within the agency.
• Maintain confidentiality and positive demeanor while successfully juggling multiple priorities.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Ability to bend, stoop, reach and lift - physical flexibility.
• Maintain First Aid, CPR, AED & Safety Care Certifications.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Maintain training specific to individual programmatic issues.

Requirements

• High School Degree or G.E.D.
• Must be 21+ years old, have a valid driver’s license, daily use of a car on site (preferred but not required) and be available by telephone for daily contact.
• At least two years of experience in a training program for the developmentally disabled.

Salary Description

$19.00/hr