Program Specialist

Delta Community Supports; Warminster Township (Bucks County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Delta Community Supports seeks a Program Specialist to manage ISP development for up to 30 individuals, coordinating with the Supports Coordinator and interdisciplinary team. You will oversee regulatory documentation, annual assessments, and updates to support plans while ensuring compliance with PA ODP regulations.

The role emphasizes collaboration with families and staff, monitoring progress, and implementing person-centered activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with related work experience in community-based services.
• Associate’s degree with 4+ years in supervision of programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• High school diploma with 6+ years in community-based programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and monitor ISP plans for up to 30 individuals.
• Coordinate with Supports Coordinator and ISP team.
• Complete PA ODP regulatory documentation and annual reviews.
• Oversee behavior, safety, and daily living plans.
• Ensure compliance with PA regulations and licensing requirements.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Team coordination

Communication

Disability services experience

Documentation & reporting

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Associate’s Degree

High School Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

HCSIS

EIM

Job description

Here is the complete, rewritten job description for the Program Specialist position, fully adapted from the New Jersey framework to align with Pennsylvania (PA) regulations, Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) terminology, and Chapter 6100/6400 licensing compliance.

Program Specialist

Job Summary

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The duties listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Caseload Management: Monitor the development and implementation of high-quality Individual Support Plans (ISP) for a support list of up to 30 individuals.
• Reporting: Report progress and areas of concern in weekly meetings with the Regional Director.
• Regulatory Documentation: Complete all regulatory paperwork as required per Pennsylvania regulations, including:
• Annual Assessments and addendums (disseminated to the Supports Coordinator [SC] and relevant team members).
• Monthly and quarterly reviews.
• Dental Hygiene Plans, care protocols, desensitization plans, and refusal-to-treat forms.
• Social, Environmental, and Emotional Plans (SEEP).
• ISP revisions and other requirements mandated by PA regulatory entities.

Key Responsibilities & Coordination

ISP & Team Coordination

Coordinate the following with the Supports Coordinator (SC) and the interdisciplinary planning team:

• Annually provide a comprehensive assessment for the development of the ISP.
• Attend and participate in all annual ISP meetings, team meetings, monthly monitoring with the SC, and other meetings as needed as an active member of the ISP team.
• Annually update lifetime medical history and individual protocols.
• Develop appropriate outcomes to support growth toward greater independence in self-care, daily living skills, socialization, and community living.
• Monitor the monthly documentation completed by Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) regarding individuals’ participation and progress toward outcomes.
• Ensure supervision and all support needs are met per the ISP; ensure PA ODP waiver service definitions, enhanced staffing ratios, or variance requests are applied for as needed and reviewed one month prior to the expiration of services.
• Develop quarterly reviews for each individual on the assigned support list.

Staff Support & Training

Support, motivate, empower, and train Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) on:

• Implementation of the ISP and Individualized Care Plans (ICP).
• Behavior Support Plans and Social, Environmental, and Emotional Plans.
• Feeding protocols and specific dietary modifications.
• Supervision levels and safety requirements.
• Conducting meaningful group activities and maximizing individual engagement.

Communication & Community Integration

• Communicate with families, providers, and Supports Coordinators regarding the individual’s progress and participation in the program.
• Serve as the primary contact person for county Administrative Entity (AE) and state Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) activities and communications.
• Monitor staff compliance with all State, County, and Delta policies and procedures.
• Work with the Residential Coordinator to complete an Initial Assessment within thirty (30) days of an individual starting the program and annually thereafter.
• Develop and provide meaningful activities that are person-centered in accordance with individual plans, supporting the integration of individuals in the community.
• Support individuals with communication and maintaining active involvement with family and friends.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Cooperate with company and regulatory agency personnel during any inspection, licensing review, or investigation.
• Maximize the development and capacity of staff to advance the mission and values of Delta.
• Ensure the full capacity of programmatic resources.
• Promote and demonstrate ethical and professional conduct at all times, ensuring employees conduct themselves in an ethical manner.
• Promote continuous quality improvement projects and ongoing performance measures.
• Ensure all individuals receive required and necessary medical, dental, psychiatric, and other relevant care appointments and paperwork within required PA regulatory timelines. Ensure swift follow-up occurs on all recommendations from healthcare professionals.
• Participate in Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) assessments and ensure informants are present who have comprehensive knowledge of the individual’s skill levels.
• Understand the purpose of adaptive equipment, make recommendations to improve independence, and ensure adaptive equipment is functional and utilized.
• Participate in monthly incident management and risk management review meetings.
• Act as the primary point person for regulatory compliance for the assigned support list.
• Complete required medication error documentation and incident entries in the Pennsylvania Enterprise Incident Management (EIM) system.
• Successfully complete the PA ODP Certified Investigator training; complete the renewal process as required to maintain certification. Conduct certified investigations as needed for individuals within and outside of the assigned support list.
• Maintain on-call availability for emergencies and incident entry.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Skills

• Ability to use acquired knowledge of the challenges faced by individuals living in the community and utilize resources for successful community integration.
• Ability to work effectively with people, facilitating their growth and development.

Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Ability to read, write, and speak English; perform arithmetical calculations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use standard office equipment (telephone, voice mail, copier, computer).
• Fully proficient in Microsoft Office applications and capable of learning emerging technologies (such as HCSIS and EIM).
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities and delegate duties effectively.
• Knowledge of supervisory and administrative principles and methods.
• Ability to operate vehicles with a valid driver’s license in accordance with applicable state laws, insurance provider requirements, and company policies.
• Knowledge and understanding of PA ODP, Chapter 6400 (Residential), and Chapter 6100 (HCBS) regulations.
• Understanding and commitment to community-based support for persons with disabilities.
• Flexibility to fulfill on-call responsibilities.

Position Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university & two (2) years’ work experience working directly with persons with intellectual disabilities;
• Or an Associate’s Degree or sixty (60) credit hours from an accredited university or college and four (4) years’ experience in the supervision of community based programs working directly with persons with intellectual disabilities and/or autism;
• Of a High School Diploma and six (6) years’ experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism in community based programs.