Developmental Specialist Transitions Program

American Training; Wakefield (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life and disability insurance

Vision

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Vacation

Fun work environment

Paid training

Job summary

American Training in Wakefield, MA seeks a Developmental Specialist to support individuals with intellectual disabilities through positive behavioral supports. You will implement treatment plans, run therapeutic groups, and assist with personal care as needed.

The role involves data collection, incident reporting, and collaboration with clinical staff to promote guest independence and safety. A valid driver's license and ability to lift up to 40 pounds are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent; behavioral certifications preferred.
• At least two years of experience in the developmental disabilities field.
• Ability to write incident reports and participate in data collection.
• Must demonstrate strong organization and communication.
• Respect for guest confidentiality and ethical conduct.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
• Ability to implement behavior support plans and manage crises.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with ISP Team to set goals and plans for each Guest.
• Implement clinically sound Support Plans to address challenging behaviors and support learning.
• Calmly apply behavior management strategies including physical interventions when needed.
• Record data for goals, plans and teaching; maintain timelines.
• Supervise Guests during community outings and provide support as needed.
• Lead groups using curriculum and Google Classroom when applicable.
• Ensure Guest safety and maintain a clean program area.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Record-keeping

Ethical conduct

Interpersonal skills

Diversity awareness

PB/CPR training capability

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Behavioral certifications preferred

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Wakefield, MA 01880

Salary Range: $26.00 Hourly

Hours: 8am - 4pm, Monday - Friday

Pay Rate: $24/hr

We are looking to hire skilled colleagues to work in our Wakefield Transition Program. This program will service individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, spectrum disorders, and adjustment behavioral disorders. Qualified candidates should be familiar with instituting, clinically based treatment plans, running therapeutic curriculum and groups, and be able and willing to do physical management of aggressive behaviors.

Program is based on positive behavioral supports and centered around moving individuals forward to achieve independence and appropriate coping skills. Program works in close contact with administrative and clinical staff to achieve positive outcomes of people served. The Developmental Specialist is responsible for carrying out the day‑to‑day activities of the program: to include programming, community activities, data collection, record keeping and caring for the personal needs of the Guests. Incorporation of the WOW! Principles into all aspects of our work life.

Specific Duties

• Works with the ISP Team to establish goals and plans for each of the Guests.
• Works with management and clinical team to implement clinically sound Support Plans to address challenging behaviors and address learning and skill acquisition.
• Ability to calmly and safely implement behavior management strategies and techniques up to and including physical management of aggressive or self‑harm behaviors.
• Able to write detailed incident reports and provide debriefing and support to individuals and team after a behavioral event.
• Monitors and/or provides support and supervision during community outings with Guests. Is able to address emotional and behavioral support needs in unfamiliar and community settings.
• Ability to record data for goals, plans and teaching techniques to ensure guests continued growth and progress. Must be able to adhere to data collection standards and timelines.
• Carries out specific duties and activities as needed, ensures Guest’s safety, and implements a broad variety of activities which promote the goals, needs and desires of each Guest.
• Ability to lead program groups following a standard curriculum. This can include the use of Google Classroom, specific learning objectives and oral and hands‑on instruction.
• Ability to make adjustments to approach and curriculums based on guests presentation and engagement level.
• Keeps program area clean to ensure a healthy, clean environment for the Guests.
• Work in conjunction with case managers, clinicians and program management to ensure goal development, implementation and documentation.
• Works with Colleagues assisting Guests on and off vans/cars, provides physical support entering and exiting building, moving guests in wheelchairs and other needs as indicated by each Guest.
• Performs a variety of personal care functions to assist Guests who are unable to care for themselves. This may include toileting, dressing, feeding, or lifting and moving Guests.
• Teaches, trains, guides and directs Guests individually and in groups to reinforce skills, learn new skills and to increase independence for attainment of ISP goals.
• Regularly observes Guests’ behavior and performance and provides reports, updates and general observations to the Program Director and Interdisciplinary Team.
• Implement the Mission of American Training – “to Bring Out the Best in Everyone We Touch, becauseLIFEMatters!” and live the Value Statement.

Qualifications

• Strong organization and communication skills.
• Knowledge of appropriate paperwork necessary for mandated record keeping.
• Use the highest standard of ethical conduct at all times, this includes respecting the confidentiality of Colleagues and Guests.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Participate in workplace climate that celebrates and encourages diversity.
• Positively promote the image of Guests with Developmental Disabilities and American Training, Inc.
• Maintain an excellent training record by positively completing all training requirements including but not limited to Positive Behavioral Supports, PABC/Physical Intervention, Trauma Informed Care, Medication Administration and FA/CPR.
• A valid driver’s license, the use of a personal vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage and a satisfactory CORI, finger printing and DPPC Review are required.

Physical Effort

Frequent walking, standing and driving. Must be able to lift 40‑50 pounds. Must be able to sustain in a fast paced environment with a high energy level. Must be able to physically implement First Aid/CPR and crisis intervention to Guests in response to an emergency situation and or the implementation of a Treatment Plan.

Emotional Effort

Work environment frequently hectic, fast‑paced with periods of high stress. Must be able to calmly and analytically respond to a Guests’ crisis and/or crisis situations. Must be able to apply proper First Aid/CPR during stressful situations. Must be able to appropriately intervene in medical, psychiatric and behavioral crisis situations.

Education

Minimum HS diploma, some secondary education, or behavioral Certifications preferred but these can be waived if experience indicates competence.

Experience

At least two years of experience in the Developmental Disabilities field, one of which working with individuals with challenging behaviors.

Attitude

Is enthusiastic, nice and willing to accept responsibility. Demonstrates an obvious passion for the people we serve and puts the WOW! Principles into action.

Benefits

American Training offers a competitive benefit package, including medical and dental insurance, life and disability, vision, generous earned time off, paid holidays and vacation, a FUN work environment, paid training and much more!