Day Hab Specialist

Birch Family Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Birch Family Services is seeking a Support Counselor in New York, NY, to assist individuals with developmental disabilities. Responsibilities include training and counselling in personal care, community engagement, and skill development to maximize independence. Candidates must hold a high school diploma, have experience with developmentally disabled individuals, and be willing to obtain necessary certifications. The role demands strong communication skills and a commitment to advocacy in a safe community setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1-year experience working with developmentally disabled individuals.
• Must obtain AMAP certification during probation.
• Valid NYS Driver's License required.

Responsibilities

• Counsel and train individuals in personal care and life skills.
• Provide safe environment for community activities.
• Document individuals' progress and development.

Skills

Experience with developmentally disabled population

First Aid and CPR certification

Ability to physically restrain when necessary

Effective verbal communication

Written documentation skills

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Position Objective

To counsel, assist and train individuals with developmental disabilities in the areas of personal care, travel skills, social skills, home management and life skills in order to maximize their functioning in the community.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Minimum High School diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Minimum 1‑year experience working with developmentally disabled population, preferably in a day care, residential, health or treatment related setting.
• Specialized training in direct support provision preferred.
• Must complete and obtain certification in OPWDD Approved Medication Administration Course (AMAP) during the probationary period and maintain AMAP certification.
• Valid NYS Driver's License required.
• Ability and willingness to be First Aid and CPR certified.
• Ability and willingness to obtain certification in SCIP‑R Competencies and advance to Promote Competencies.
• Demonstrated competency in written, verbal and computational skills to document records in accordance with program standards.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to speak clearly and hear the spoken word well.
• Regularly required to utilize near‑vision ability to read data and documents, including spreadsheets and reports, in printed form and on computer screens.
• Ability to physically restrain challenging behaviors that include aggression, self‑injurious, and destructive behaviors.
• Ability to use and navigate the public transportation system.
• Ability to withstand excessive walking.

Work Environment

• Noise level is consistent with levels usually present in an office, education, group home, residential, rehabilitation, industrial, workshop or health related environment.
• Hazards present are consistent with those common to an office, education, rehabilitation, industrial, workshop or health related environment.
• Working with individuals whose age ranges from 21 through adulthood.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals by providing opportunities to develop and enhance skills leading to independence, community inclusion and supported employment as appropriate.
• Provide safe and clean environment for the individuals based on skill level and risks and support the safety of all individuals in everyday situations.
• Use verbal and physical means to create a positive environment that encourages and enables individual growth.
• Participate in the individuals' day‑home planning activities and assist in their implementation.
• Assist the individuals in the development of social skills that will help them become integrated in the community.
• Perform protective oversight while engaging in community activities.
• Support individuals to engage in meaningful activities and assist in employment opportunities.
• Provide opportunities for the individual to be a self‑advocate.
• Perform advocacy responsibilities while demonstrating respect for the processes and people involved.
• Responsible for all documentation related to the essential functions and services for the individual.
• Adhere to the procedures for mandated reporting and responding.
• Adhere to the NADSP code of ethics.
• Work towards the satisfactory completion of each of the core competency goals according to the OPWDD timeline requirements.

Other Functions

• Demonstrate respect for all people.
• Demonstrate professional demeanor, punctuality, attendance, reliability, flexibility and pleasantness.
• Professionally interact with other staff members and with others in the community.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for learning the knowledge and skills required to perform the job.
• Readily seek and accept feedback to improve performance.
• Apply knowledge and skills gained on the job and maintain required certifications.
• Participate in the work of the organization in a positive manner by using problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrate respect for the safety of all others.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Senior Staff.
• May be assigned other tasks and duties reasonably related to their job responsibilities.
• Adhere to all rules outlined in the policy and procedures manual.

The position description is a guide to the critical duties and essential functions of the job, not an all‑inclusive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands and work environment conditions. Position descriptions are reviewed and revised to meet the changing needs of the agency at the sole discretion of management.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions unless this causes undue hardship to the company.

Performance is evaluated each year based on these competencies and the NADSP code of ethics.