Residential Program Specialist

MCAR, Inc.; Hermitage (Mercer County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

MCAR, Inc. is seeking a Residential Program Specialist to oversee the operation of multiple group homes and coordinate casework services for up to 30 individuals with intellectual disabilities in partnership with MCBHC.

The role includes supervision, training, and evaluating Residential Program Workers, ensuring adherence to PA 6400/6500/6100 regulations and MCAR policies. The incumbent will liaise with external agencies, develop individualized support plans, and facilitate programming to meet

Qualifications

• A master’s degree or higher with 1 year of relevant experience working with individuals with intellectual disability or autism.
• Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of relevant experience.
• Associate’s degree or 60 credits with 4 years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Supports training of new staff and contributes to orientations and in-service trainings.
• Acts as Team Leader for the Crisis Intervention Team when on call; completes Monthly House Meetings.
• Coordinates medical concerns and maintains up-to-date medical information for assigned consumers.
• Coordinates all aspects of Individual Support Plans (ISPs) and ensures programming is completed.
• Reviews and disseminates daily reports; conducts informal counseling; maintains current consumer health and welfare information.

Skills

Valid driver’s license

Social work/caseload knowledge

Supervision concepts

MCAR policies and procedures

Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)

Program development/implementation

Ability to adopt new technologies/phIL

Legal/regulatory interpretation

Organizational prioritization

Written and verbal communication

Education

Master’s degree or higher

Bachelor’s degree

Associate’s degree or 60 credits

Job description

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

This position is responsible for the overall operation of several group home facilities. The RPS serves as a coordinator of casework services for up to thirty (30) individuals with intellectual disabilities. They work closely with MCBHC personnel to assure that appropriate services are provided for individuals assigned to their caseload.

This incumbent acts as a coordinator for individuals to develop and assist them with obtaining any service to meet their personal, medical, financial, social and community integration needs. They also act as a liaison and consultant with other agencies and services.

The incumbent is responsible for supervision, training and evaluation of the Residential Program Workers which work on their caseload.

This position is to assure that the PA 6400, 6500, 6100, & Supported Living Regulations inclusive of the 44(b) series and MCAR's Policies and Procedures are always maintained and that the welfare, care, safety and security of all consumers on their assigned caseload are met.

Initiative and independent judgment are exercised within a broad framework of rules, regulations and policies. This position will complete the ODP Certified Investigator Training within one (1) year of employment and responsible for completing recertification requirements within three (3) years thereafter. This position will also complete Insulin Training annually.

This position works a schedule of flexible hours to facilitate regular visitation of assigned group homes outside of the 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM business day. The position is assigned to a particular office area, but also responsible to complete regular visitation and being supportive within the field with electronic communication tools to perform necessary duties for the assigned group homes.

Work is reviewed by the Administrator of Residential Services through conferences, observations and written evaluations on an as needed basis during the first year of employment in the position, and on a yearly basis thereafter.

The Residential Program Specialist will be in an on-call rotation schedule which is determined at the discretion of the Administrator of Residential Services.

Completes other duties as assigned by the Administrator of Residential Services.

ESSENTIAL JOB AND DECISION-MAKING RESPONSIBILITIES:

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supports training of new staff. Contributes to new hire orientations and in-service training, throughout the year. Acts as a Team Leader for the Crisis Intervention Team when on call; and become a certified investigator through ODP. Completes Monthly House Meetings as needed in accordance with Residential Program Supervisor.

MEDICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordinates with Residential Program Supervisor for medical concerns pertaining to supported individuals for their assigned caseloads. Coordinates information gathering relative to medical, physical, psychiatric needs on their caseload; and, maintains up-to-date medical information and files on the designated system, and coordinates the processing prescriptions and cycled medications according to policy.

PROGRAMMING

Coordinates all aspects of developing Individual Support Plans as outlined in the 6100, 6400, 6500, & Supported Living Regulations, and assures that programming is completed; coordinates with Program Supervisor on implementing the ISP as written; develops and disseminates program information to all involved;

In conjunction with the Behavioral Specialist develops and presents the Behavior Management Meeting, for the Human Rights Team; assures that all social, personal and community integration needs are met for each consumer through appropriate programming and services; maintains up-to-date and complete programming records; and coordinates all assessments for consumers; responsible for reviewing T-Logs and GER's; and using Enterprise Incident Management System (EIM).

CASEWORK RESPONSIBILITIES

Reviews and disseminates daily reports to pertinent others; prepares reports for the Administrator of Residential Services and Chief Operating Officer as requested; conducts informal counseling with consumers; utilizes Crisis Intervention with consumers as needed; files and/or arranges for files to be up-to-date; reviews Residential Program Workers' logs and reports as needed; maintains up-to-date and current information relative to the consumers' health and welfare; participates in Admission and Discharge meetings, Team Meetings, etc.; assures that programs are in accordance with the 6100 & 6400 Regulations; and, organizes social events for residents.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

1. A program specialist shall have one of the following groups of qualifications:
   • A master's degree or above from an accredited college or university and 1 year of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism.
   • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and 2 years of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism.
   • An associate's degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university and 4 years of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism.
2. Valid driver's license
3. Knowledge of social work/caseload concepts, theories and practices
4. Knowledge of supervision concepts, theories and practices
5. Knowledge of MCAR's policies and procedures
6. Knowledge of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) techniques for use during consumer crisis/emergency situations
7. Proficient knowledge of consumer programming development and implementation concepts, theories and practices
8. Ability to incorporate new technologies and/or philosophies (e.g. positive approaches, restrictive programming procedures, etc.) into writing person-centered individual program plans for consumers in a residential setting
9. Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
10. Ability to organize and prioritize program and individual needs
11. Ability to communicate orally and in writing
12. Other duties as assigned