Social Services Supported Community Living Specialist

This is a full-time position located in Shenandoah, IA.

Schedule

• Wednesday–Friday: 4 pm–11 pm
• Every other weekend: 9 am–11 pm

Responsibilities

• Teach, train, and assist individuals in developing skills for greater independence in daily living, including but not limited to:
  • Coordinating health and medical needs
  • Training individuals to manage their own health and medical care
  • Developing skills for better community participation
  • Assisting with independent access to community services
  • Ensuring participation in at least one community activity per week during day/evening/weekend shifts
• Assist individuals with advocacy to ensure their rights, needs, interests, and choices are met
• Prepare individualized diet plans to meet nutritional needs as required
• Write Individualized Intervention Plans for each individual served
• Provide emergency and safety skills training
• Train individuals in personal business and property management, including budgeting
• Provide transportation for appointments (e.g., doctor visits, church)
• Train individuals in daily living skills (e.g., cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene)
• Orient new individuals to their home, assess their skills, and provide input for progress reports and Person-Centered Plans (PCP)
• Supervise individual goals and complete related data collection
• Supervise finances to guide budgeting for personal needs and desires
• Provide a supportive and therapeutic atmosphere
• Supervise care and use of personal property, assisting with purchases as needed
• Train new staff on duties, work schedules, agency policies, and state/federal regulations
• Follow assigned work schedule; never leave individuals receiving 24-hour care unsupervised
• Complete all records and documentation using proper forms
• Attend staff meetings and scheduled in-service training sessions
• Ensure the individual’s residence meets cleanliness, safety, and health standards
• Stay informed of programming and administrative updates by checking email, daily logbooks, or other messages each shift
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all written and verbal information about individuals
• Document behaviors and provide information for staff intervention plans
• Monitor and document physician-ordered diets as needed
• Assist individuals with activities of daily living (e.g., meal preparation, laundry, housekeeping, toileting, bathing)
• Ensure individuals are safe from environmental hazards
• Administer medication and maintain accurate documentation after training
• Exercise sound judgment in situations requiring immediate decision-making
• Perform duties that may vary by shift (e.g., overnight staff may need to remain awake or be available for emergencies)
• Complete written and electronic documentation per agency requirements
• Work independently to ensure the welfare and safety of individuals in a residential setting
• Comply with HIPAA and state/federal regulations
• Adhere to agency security clearance levels for Protected Health Information (PHI):
  • Level Two clearance (direct care workers) applies to this role

Essential Functions

• Provide quality care and training in daily living skills (e.g., meal preparation, laundry, cleaning, personal hygiene)
• Transport individuals as needed
• Maintain housekeeping standards
• Work with individuals who may exhibit behavioral problems, including verbal and physical aggression
• Administer medication and maintain accurate documentation after training
• Exercise sound judgment in immediate decision-making situations
• Complete written and electronic documentation per agency requirements
• Work independently to ensure the safety and welfare of individuals in a residential setting

Requirements

• Must not have or be a carrier of serious infectious or communicable diseases (e.g., tuberculosis) that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation
• 18 years of age or older
• High school diploma or GED required
• Previous experience in teaching skills such as cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene preferred
• Obtain and maintain a valid Iowa Chauffeur’s license
• Maintain an acceptable driving record as determined by agency insurance carrier
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical, TB Tine test, and drug screening
• Physical exam every four years thereafter
• TB Tine test every four years thereafter
• Random drug screening
• Complete a 10-hour medication management class
• Willingness to work with individuals who have behavioral disorders, including physical aggression
• Willingness to clean biological fluids/waste (e.g., blood, feces, urine, vomit)
• Ability and desire to work as part of a team
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated
• No legal convictions for assault, abuse, or bodily injury
• Must participate and cooperate with agency investigations

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 70 miles
• Ability to enter and exit resident homes, which may not be fully accessible
• Ability to walk up and down stairs while carrying items (e.g., laundry)
• Ability to work a full scheduled shift
• Ability to carry necessary supplies up to 50 pounds
• Ability to provide physical care to residents, including assisting with balance or transfers
• Ability to perform routine household tasks (e.g., vacuuming, mopping, cleaning, meal preparation, kitchen cleanup, clothing care)
• Ability to assist individuals in wheelchairs with transfers (e.g., to bed, toilet, bath)
• Ability to assist individuals in showers or baths
• Ability to make multiple trips carrying purchases (e.g., groceries) from car to house
• Ability to perform snow removal as needed for safety