Social Services Supported Community Living Specialist

Nishna Productions, Inc.; Shenandoah (IA); On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Part time

Job summary

Nishna Productions, Inc. is seeking a part-time Supported Community Living Specialist in Shenandoah, IA. The role involves teaching and assisting individuals to develop independent living skills and coordinating health needs. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Responsibilities include training in daily living skills and ensuring a supportive atmosphere. Valid Iowa Chauffeur's license is needed. Flexible work hours available, potentially extending to full-time.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Valid Iowa Chauffeur’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Teach and assist individuals in daily living skills.
• Train individuals on health and medical care management.
• Provide a supportive and therapeutic atmosphere.

Skills

Teaching Skills

Communication Skills

Judgment and Decision-Making

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Supported Community Living Specialist

This part‑time position is located in Shenandoah, IA. Hours are Monday–Tuesday 4 pm–11 pm, and every other weekend 9 am–11 pm. The position may also be offered on a full‑time basis. The SCLS reports directly to the Team Leader they are assigned to and to the Director of Residential Services.

Responsibilities

• Teach, train, and assist individuals in developing skills for independent living, including activities of daily living.
• Coordinate health and medical needs; train individuals to manage their own health and medical care.
• Develop or maintain skills for better participation in the community.
• Assist individuals in accessing community services and participating in at least one community activity each week if shift is during day, evening or weekend hours.
• Assist in advocacy procedures to ensure individuals’ rights and needs are met.
• Assist in preparing individualized diet plans to meet nutritional needs.
• Write Individualized Intervention Plans for each individual served.
• Provide emergency and safety skills training.
• Provide training on managing personal business, property, budgeting, and daily living skills.
• Transport individuals for doctor’s appointments, church, and other activities.
• Orient new individuals in their home, assess their skills, and provide appropriate input to the Person‑Centered Plan (PCP) and progress reports.
• Supervise individuals’ goals, collect data related to goal progress, and supervise finances as needed.
• Maintain a supportive and therapeutic atmosphere and supervise personal property usage and purchases.
• Train new staff on duties, work schedules, agency policies, and regulatory procedures in coordination with the Team Leader and Director of Residential Services.
• Follow the assigned work schedule and never leave individuals receiving twenty‑four‑hour care unsupervised.
• Complete all records and documentation using the proper forms related to established procedures.
• Attend staff meetings and scheduled in‑service training sessions.
• Ensure the individual’s residence meets cleanliness, safety, and health standards.
• Check email, daily log book, or other messages for updates, changes, or additions each shift worked.
• Keep all written and verbal information on each individual strictly confidential.
• Document behaviors and provide information for writing staff intervention plans.
• Handle any other duties assigned by the Team Leader, Lead Staff, or Director of Residential Services.
• Monitor and document individuals’ physician‑ordered diets as needed.
• Assist individuals with activities of daily living such as meal preparation, laundry, housekeeping, toileting, and bathing.
• Ensure clients are safe from all environmental hazards.

Essential Functions

• Provide quality care and transport individuals.
• Provide training in daily living skills (e.g., meal preparation, laundry, cleaning, personal hygiene).
• Maintain housekeeping standards.
• Work with individuals who may have behavioral problems, including verbal and physical aggression.
• Provide a supportive and therapeutic atmosphere.
• Administer medication and maintain accurate medication documentation after training.
• Exercise sound judgment for immediate decision‑making.
• Work according to the assigned schedule, remaining awake on overnight shifts and available for emergencies.
• Complete written and electronic documentation and record keeping according to agency requirements.
• Work independently to ensure welfare and safety of persons served in a residential setting.
• Comply with state and federal HIPAA regulations.
• Maintain a need‑to‑know basis for Protected Health Information (PHI) with appropriate security clearance levels.

Requirements

• Must not be a carrier of a serious infectious or communicable disease (e.g., tuberculosis).
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Prefer previous experience teaching cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene skills.
• Exercise sound judgment for immediate decision‑making.
• Hold a valid Iowa Chauffeur’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Complete pre‑employment physical, TB test, and drug screening prior to employment; subsequent screenings every four years.
• Complete a 10‑hour medication‑management class.
• Be willing to work with individuals who have behavioral disorders that may include aggressive outbursts.
• Be willing to clean biological fluids or waste such as blood, feces, urine, or vomit.
• Work well as part of a team, with good verbal and written communication skills.
• Be self‑motivated.
• Have no legal convictions for assault, abuse, or bodily injury.
• Participate in and cooperate with agency investigations, with confidentiality respected.

Physical Requirements

• Travel up to 70 miles between locations.
• Enter and exit resident homes that may not be fully accessible.
• Walk up and down stairs while carrying laundry or supplies.
• Work full scheduled shifts as assigned.
• Carry supplies up to 50 pounds.
• Provide physical care for residents during direct care duties.
• Assist individuals in regaining balance or transferring between sitting, standing, or prone positions.
• Perform routine household tasks such as vacuuming, mopping, using cleaning agents, and meal preparation.
• Assist individuals in wheelchairs to transfer to chairs, beds, toilets, or baths.
• Assist individuals during showers or baths.
• Make multiple trips from car to house carrying purchases such as groceries.
• Perform snow removal as necessary for safety.