Direct Support Specialist to Temporary Registered Alcohol & Drug Peer Support Specialist

About the role

This position requires the incumbent to work toward obtaining the necessary education credentials to become a Temporary Registered Alcohol & Drug Peer Support Specialist (TRAD PSS) as defined by state regulations and the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors. The role is performed exclusively in the capacity of a Direct Support Specialist.

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.
• Makes sure that ADL skills are monitored and provides therapeutic feedback.
• Plans and facilitates community-based activities like medical appointments, grocery shopping, leisure/recreation/socialization, and facilitates access to community resources like AA/NA meetings, school, job placement.
• Contributes to a safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and using behavior management techniques as authorized.
• Serves as an ambassador of SCS and its clients by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and SCS's services and programming.
• Collaborates with community systems on behalf of individuals served, including school, landlord, family, transportation provider, and employer.
• Provides transportation, ensuring adherence to standard safety practices, and teaches and facilitates 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, depending on the specific clinical program's protocols.
• Identifies assigned clients' food and/or medication allergies and exercises reasonable care to avoid exposure to allergens.
• Communicates information relevant to care, treatment, and services with other SCS staff members and, as authorized, with non-SCS providers to ensure appropriate level and quality of care.
• Documents services and care provided by timely completing various forms such as attendance records, daily logs, shift/progress notes, incident reports, and time reports in accordance with SCS and regulatory standards.
• Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, consistent with SCS procedures and state and federal law.
• Attends and participates in all required staff and service planning meetings and trainings.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Maintains required education and required training documentation in record management systems to apply as Temporary RAD PSS within one month of hire.
• One year of recovery as defined by AODE regulations.
• Preferred two (2) years of full-time experience working with individuals who receive services for treatment of a mental health, substance abuse, intellectual disability, or physical health condition.
• Ability to provide nurturing attention and care to individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to communicate with verbal and nonverbal individuals.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Teaching skills.
• Patience and empathy.
• Maturity and judgment.

Qualifications

• Age 18 or older.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Proof of automobile liability insurance.
• Positive driving record.

Skills

• Psychiatric rehabilitation techniques.
• Normal growth and development understanding.
• Culture/ethnicity considerations.
• Mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and/or substance use disorder diagnoses relevant to age groups/populations served.
• Role of OTRs to appropriately represent client need for CSA services required for authorization.
• Formal training to Community Support Providers and Community Support Specialists.
• Working knowledge of and following all policies and procedures related to safety management and other Joint Commission standards.

Benefits

N/A

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A