Program Specialist

About the role

The Program Specialist provides direct support to individuals served by the agency and ensures the successful implementation of agency policies and procedures by qualified, knowledgeable staff. This position is designated within a specific Community-Based home(s) and demonstrates strong leadership skills to work with Direct Support Professionals, ensuring daily routines and assignments are carried out efficiently. It is a supervisory position of limited scope.

Responsibilities include promptly reporting any circumstances that negatively affect the health, safety, or well-being of clients, staff, the agency, or its property and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the health and welfare of individuals served through direct billable services (hours depend on the number of individuals in the home, ranging from 1-4).
• Maintain knowledge of Individual Service Plans (ISP), Behavior Support Plans (BSP), and other service delivery techniques, ensuring all Direct Support Professionals are trained in these areas.
• Report any conduct or performance issues to the Program Developer in a timely manner.
• Complete all position deadlines and ensure staff accountability, including but not limited to:
  • Progress notes, HPC documentation, and site documentation.
  • Medication Administration Records (MAR) monitoring and changeovers.
  • Weekly Medication Quality Assurance (QA) reviews.
• Arrange and attend medical appointments, ensuring written documentation and physician orders are relayed to appropriate staff.
• Communicate all medical recommendations to Program Developers and the Health Services Manager.
• Submit completed bi-weekly schedules in Data Plus for approval and publish them.
• Review bi-weekly payroll for managed staff hours and make adjustments as necessary.
• Maintain effective relationships with team members to:
  • Orient new staff to household routines and document on-site and individual-specific training.
  • Ensure smooth daily transitions between varying shifts to facilitate supports for individuals.
• Schedule community errands and trips appropriate to individuals' interests and needs.
• Ensure all incident reporting procedures are followed, including immediate reporting and documentation of incidents.
• Maintain and secure all financial information and monies for individuals as required by policy.
• Secure the house and maintain a healthy and safe environment by:
  • Ensuring daily cleanliness of the house.
  • Monitoring proper diets, meal planning, and food shopping.
  • Communicating necessary repairs and equipment needs to the landlord.
• Fulfill on-call responsibilities, including maintaining appropriate staffing, working direct shifts as needed, and ensuring timely communication with all team members.
• Complete site visits to maintain health and welfare during on-call shifts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Evaluation Factors

• Ensure the staff schedule in Data Plus meets the site’s staffing pattern and ISP requirements.
• Ensure all staff time and attendance entries are complete in Data Plus by the payroll deadline.
• Ensure all documentation listed in responsibilities is completed and submitted in a timely manner.
• Attend all mandatory staff trainings to enhance personal competencies.
• Ensure completion of all site-specific and individual-specific training for new employees.
• Maintain zero deficiencies in Medical Surveys.
• Ensure a minimum of 25% per quarter of individuals' participation in community integration.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 18 years of age or older.
• A desire to assist people with their growth and success.
• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of two years of experience with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
• Minimum one year of supervision experience.
• Ability to stay organized while managing multiple tasks.
• One year of previous experience with individuals with IDD; residential experience preferred.
• Valid Ohio driver’s license with 4 points or less on the BMV driving record.
• Current auto insurance.

Physical Requirements

• Able to sit, stand, and walk at full capacity for at least eight hours, with frequent bending, squatting, reaching above the shoulder, kneeling, balancing, pushing, and pulling.
• Frequent lifting of up to 20 lbs. and occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs.
• Ergonomic team lifting of clients weighing up to and over 100 pounds.
• Use of both hands for simple grasping, firm grasping, and fine manipulations.
• Exposure to environmental factors such as aggressive client behavior, over-the-counter chemicals, prescription medications, etc.
• No treatment or medication should adversely affect the ability to perform job duties.