Developmental Specialist (Day Habilitation)

About the Role

As a Developmental Specialist, you will provide case management for the people Vinfen supports. This includes participating in the development of Individual Service Plans (ISP), advocating for the needs of the person served, and attending consultation meetings with clinical staff.

Responsibilities

• Provides case management, treatment planning, and direct support for persons served including advocacy, family contact, and all related documentation.
• Supervises the activities of Program Instructors, interns, volunteers, and relief staff; provides training, coaching, mentoring, and staff development activities as needed.
• Directs observation and clinical interaction with Instructors during program hours.
• Participates in the development of persons served Day Habilitation Support Plans (DHSPs), Safety Assessments, and other assessments, including recommendations from Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, and other professional/paraprofessional staff.
• Manages a caseload of individuals served; implements, monitors, and evaluates the effectiveness of prescribed clinical, adaptive skills, communication, and other programs.
• Provides recommendations or implements changes to ensure continuous improvement of skills.
• Advocates for the needs of persons served in all areas; promotes self-expression, self-reliance, and creativity.
• Assures the preservation of human rights for persons served; acts as a positive role model to Program Instructors and persons served.
• Prepares for and attends consultation meetings with clinical staff, including Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Physical Therapist, Assistant Clinical Director, and other paraprofessionals.
• Works directly with persons served individually and in groups; assists with personal care and activities of daily living to promote independence.
• Assesses functional skills of persons served and identifies appropriate therapeutic interventions with assistance from professional and paraprofessional staff.
• With approval from the person served, maintains contact with family members and residential staff members.
• Provides training and development of age-appropriate activities and groups; recommends and participates in the development of activities with a greater range of choices.
• Documents specific data, transfers to daily chart, and performs monthly progress reviews; collects and provides data as determined by individual DHSP objectives.
• Maintains physical upkeep of the program area; ensures equipment is cleaned, stored appropriately, and in good repair and safe condition.
• Ensures individuals served are trained in equipment before use at the service location and other work locations.
• Completes continuous training in applied behavioral analysis and teaching techniques; completes in-service training on Positive Behavior Support modules.
• Responsible for the completion of 6-month review progress summaries and annual assessments according to specified due dates.
• Supervises and organizes individual and group activities; communicates consistently with management regarding treatment and skill development programs.
• Ensures individuals are actively engaged in meaningful age-appropriate activities and groups throughout the day with a focus on skill building, communication, and self-reliance.
• Trains, mentors, and supports the activities of staff; provides information for feedback tools and annual performance evaluations.
• Notifies management staff of any emergencies; if assigned, functions as the Human Rights Officer and Fire Safety Officer.
• Maintains an updated resume on file at the Day Habilitation location.
• Performs other related duties as required.

About Vinfen

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field preferred, but experience may substitute for education.
• High School diploma or GED required.
• 1-2 years of related experience.
• Strong time management, organizational, and writing skills.
• 21 years of age and a current, valid US driver's license for at least 6 months (preferred but not required).
• Must become CPR, First Aid certified within 2 weeks of employment and MAP certified within 150 days of employment.
• Must successfully pass a CORI, SORI, reference, national fingerprinting, and driving record check.

Skills

• Knowledge of human, civil, and legal rights.
• Knowledge of empowerment and use of self-advocacy techniques.
• Knowledge of applied behavioral analysis with developmental disabilities population.
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles.
• Knowledge of advocacy techniques.
• Knowledge of formal and informal assessment practices.
• Knowledge of participatory planning techniques.
• Knowledge of required independent living management skills.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of available community resources, job, and training opportunities.
• Knowledge of documentation requirements.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues.
• Persuasive, collaborative, and participative skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Ability to create strategies for persons served.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to provide a positive role model.
• Ability to balance competing priorities.
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb; this is a very physically active position.
• Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift.
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
• Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
• Ability to assist persons served with activities of daily living.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.
• Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility.
• Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with persons served, staff, and external representatives.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• For positions in day programs or group residences, the ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.

Required Certifications

• CPR required within two weeks of hire.
• First Aid required within two weeks of hire.
• Safety Care required within 90 days of hire.

Pay

USD $24.09 per hour.

Driving Requirements

Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record, which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least one year, and must pass a driver's screening background check.