Program Specialist

Job Description For: Program Specialist

Reports To: Director of Programs

Classification: Supervision

Job Summary: The Program Specialist performs strictly supervisory work.  An employee in this classification is responsible for the day-to-day work performed by the Program Managers and Direct Support Professionals.   The employee is salaried non-exempt.  

Physical Demands:        

Must be able to perform the following functions: 
•    Physically lift 40-100 pounds unassisted 
•    Physically lift 100 pounds or more assisted
•    Reach above head and below knees
•    Endure repetitive motions with right and left hands
•    Reach out as to pull and push a wheelchair
•    Make twisting and bending motions at the waist
•    Have good reaction response to protect personal space

Job Responsibilities:     

• Have a working knowledge of all agency policies and procedures and ensure compliance. 
• Maintain professional boundaries with the individual, team members, families, subordinates and co-workers. 
•  Maintain confidentiality of the individual and their families.
• Ensure compliance with 6100, 6400, and 6500 regulations along with updated ODP requirements communicated through bulletins and communications. 
• Works in coordination with program managers and director of programs to ensure all direct care professionals are trained on individual ISP’s and individual’s care to include but not limited to medical diagnosis, and medications.
• Complete 24 hours of training per year, including mandatory trainings and trainings as assigned by your immediate supervisor or administration. 
• Communicate information, and act as a liaison to provide quality care with supports coordinators, program managers, families, individuals, and external parties.  
• Communicate effectively and timely with individual and respective team members.  
• Work collaboratively with the individual and all respective team members. 
• Complete performance reviews of program managers and with your program manager for direct support professionals. 
• Provide support and problem-solving techniques to program managers, subordinates, and families.
• Work with program manager to ensure staff are trained on individual service plan, individuals care plans, behavior support plans, etc. and to ensure staff have the most up to date and necessary information to provide quality care to the individual.  
• Assist and utilize disciplinary procedures on subordinates as needed. 
•  Monitor the budgetary pieces of community homes in coordination with program managers.  Request and/or approve purchases for items needed in the community home or for the individuals.  
•  Facilitate staff meetings with program managers. 
• Facilitate and instruct trainings as assigned.
• Provide feedback to program managers to enhance their skills and care of those we support. 
• Schedule, prepare, and attend all supports coordinator monitoring meetings.
• Review additional assessments and plans related to the individual and ensure training of those assessments and plans for program managers and direct support professionals.  
• Monitor and assume responsibility for the development, update, and documentation of individual records. Documentation should be clear, concise, and written in positively.  Documentation should reflect progress on goals.  
•  Conduct regular supervision with subordinates. 
• Perform evening, weekend, and holiday on call duties as assigned
•  Monitor homes to ensure safety procedures are followed and when unsafe conditions exist that they are reported per agency policy and procedures.  
•  Monitor individual finances and work in coordination with the individual’s representative payee to ensure that financial information is filed accurately and within social security guidelines. 
• Have a working knowledge of incident management and ensure incidents are report as required.
• Complete required documentation in agency approved electronic health record and ensure compliance of agency policies pertaining to documentation and Futures’ electronic health record. Review documentation completed by program manager and direct support professionals
• Maintains certifications as assigned immediate supervisor or administration.   
• Performs any and all related tasks as assigned by the immediate supervisor

 
Medical Physical:     The Program Specialist is required to get a pre-employment physical and a physical with a 
Mantoux TB test every 2 years. 

Working Conditions:    Employee in this position may be expected to work evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays   Employee supports individuals on a regular basis who have an intellectual disability and could have co-occurring mental health disorders that present with challenging behaviors including physical and verbal aggression, self-harm, and property destruction.  The employee is occasionally exposed to individuals who have the potential to be carrying a communicable disease. 

-Valid Drivers License and High school diploma 
-A Master’s Degree or above from an accredited college or university and one year work experience working directly with persons with developmental disabilities OR
-A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and two years         
work experience working directly with persons with developmental disabilities OR
- An Associate Degree and 4 years work experience working directly with persons with developmental disabilities.