Career Opportunities

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Group Day Habilitation Specialist
Supervisor: The Group Day Habilitation Specialist Reports Directly to the Day Habilitation Supervisor/Case Manager
SUMMARY:

1. Depending upon the consumers’ needs, provide direct support as per each individual’s Day Habilitation Program Plan (DHP). This may include implementing training programs such as eating, toileting, and recreational activities.
2. Assure that health, safety, social, and recreational needs are met.
3. Supervise, observe, monitor, and implement each individual’s Day Habilitation Plan activities.
4. Maintain accurate records and documentation of the implementation of each individual’s Day Habilitation Plan on the Daily Tracking Sheet and write each individual’s response to the services provided.
5. Attend training, seminars, in-service sessions, and staff meetings as needed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of the Group Day Habilitation Specialist will include but is not limited to assisting, training, supervising, and monitoring individuals with various forms of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at various community settings/sites with the following based on each individual’s Day Habilitation Program Plan:

• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of appropriate job skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of Community safety /awareness skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of Activities of daily living (ADL) skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of budgeting/money management skills
• the development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of travel training skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of appropriate community/social skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of recreational activities/skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of dietary/nutritional needs
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of speech, language, and communication skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of community integration
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of independent living skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of self-awareness skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of behavior modifications
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of health and safety skills
• Perform any other assignments, duties, and responsibilities that may be assigned

Role of Group Day Habilitation Specialist
The role of the Group Day Habilitation Specialist will include but is not limited to the following:

• Transportation of each individual to and from (Pickups and drop-offs) the Day Habilitation program
• Transportation of each individual to and from various Day Habilitation sites in the community based on each individual’s interests, preferences, choices, and skills level
• Serve as the driver or matron on the van during transportation of the individuals and ensure that each individual on the van is safe and accounted for at all times
• Provide supervision and maintain safety for all individuals on the van
• Ensure that each individual is prompt at his/her chosen job/volunteer sites
• Supervise and monitor each individual during meals to prevent and /or avoid choking hazards
• Supervise and monitor each individual while in the community and/or at job/volunteer sites to ensure that each individual is accounted for at all times
• Promote freedom of choice, self-advocacy, and independence while ensuring that each individual’s rights, health, safety, and well-being are maintained at all times

Behavior Management and Supports:

• Identify each individual’s strengths and reinforce those characteristics and behaviors consistently throughout the day
• Model appropriate behavior and language to the individuals

Teamwork and Communication

• Respect the individuals, family members/advocates, and fellow staff by listening to their ideas, concerns, and suggestions
• Be reliable and honest towards individuals, family members/advocates, and fellow staff
• Address issues and concerns between the individuals and fellow staff with sensitivity and respect

Family Members/Advocates and Staff Support/Interaction

• Be courteous and non-judgmental of family members/advocates
• Listen and give positive feedback about the individuals to family members/advocates
• Speak to family members/advocates in positive tones about the individuals during pickups and/or at drop-offs (i.e., behavior, mood, activities, etc.)
• Provide information regarding the Day Habilitation Program/Services as necessary to family members/advocates upon request (without violating the confidentiality of other individuals)
• Represent Heritage Human Services Day Habilitation Program in a positive way

Confidentiality of Information

• Maintain confidentiality of each individual’s Day Habilitation information
• Never disclose information regarding any Day Habilitation Program individuals to other family members/advocates

Preferred Qualification:

• Bachelors Degree in Health and Human Services Field and experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities
• New York State Driver’s License with a clean driving record and ability to drive a 15-passenger Vehicle (Van)

Minimum Qualification:

• High school Diploma or GED and one year of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities
• New York State Driver’s License with a clean driving record and ability to drive a 15-passenger Vehicle (Van)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrate proficiency in direct care activities and training;
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and families;
• Ability to assess needs and coordinate services for individuals with I/DD;
• Good written and verbal communication skills;
• Demonstrate interest in working in a direct care position serving the emotional, physical, and healthcare needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges;
• Ability to lift, bend, stretch, run, and other physical activities may be required; and
• Experience providing community-based activities with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) preferred.

Preferred Certifications: Adult CPR, First Aid, and SCIP

JOB DESCRIPTION

Agency: Heritage Human Services
Position: Individual Treatment Associate (QIDP)
Preferred Qualification:

• MA/M.S. degree in Health, Education, or Human Services field with one (1) year relevant program treatment or training experience in providing adult day services and/or Habilitative training and supports to individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and/or within the human services field.
• Clean Driver’s License and ability to drive a 15-passenger van preferred

Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree, with two (2) years of case management experience in providing services and/or Habilitative training and supports services to individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities within the human services or OPWDD field.
• Clean Driver’s License and ability to drive a 15-passenger van required

Supervisor: The Individual Treatment Associate (QIDP) reports directly to the Program Coordinator
Purpose: The Individual Treatment Associate (QIDP) is a Habilitative level position within the agency and works with other program team members and DSP staff and agency management in providing quality guidance and directions to online program staff within the Habilitation Programs and Family Support Services within the agency as needed.

The role of the Individual Treatment Associate (QIDP) includes but is not limited to the following:

Day Habilitation Program

• Develop program plans/Staff Action Plans for each assigned individuals based on their Life Plans
• Train Direct Support Staff on the program Plan/Staff Action Plan
• Monitor the implementation of the Program Plan/Staff Action and provide ongoing guidance and training as needed
• Ensure that newly hired staff are trained on the program plan/Staff Action within two weeks of hire
• Attend Life Plan meetings with Care Managers and provide updates and advocate for assigned individuals’ progress and needs
• Review program Plans/Staff Actions on a bi-annual basis or as needed based on the changing needs of the individual and as dictated by the Life Plan
• Review, update, and implement staff training on an ongoing basis
• Ensure that all program plans/Staff Actions are distributed within 30 days of completion to Care Managers, family members, and advocates
• Conduct weekly Individual Progress Review and write monthly summary notes of each individual’s progress/response to services 
• Conduct weekly Person-Centered Plan pre-planning meeting for each Individual’s development
• Review each individual’s program record and ensure that Levels of care Plans (LOCs), Life Plans and annual physical (medical) are current (within the year) and request any expired or due LOCs, Life Plans, or annual physicals (medical) from the individual’s Care Manager.
• Conduct routine program plan/Staff Action implementation observation on a weekly basis to assure that DSPs are implementing and documenting each program plan /staff Action as written
• Monitor Day Habilitation attendance and daily goal sheets for accuracy and completion.
• Review Day Habilitation billing sheets daily based on the participant’s attendance record
• Develop Weekly Day Habilitation program schedules that reinforce effective volunteer/goal implementation activities.
• Conduct weekly visits to various Day Habilitation volunteer sites to monitor each participant’s response to his/her outcomes and to measure the level of skills development and acquisition within various but diverse community volunteer settings.
• Gather information on how the volunteer opportunities stimulate job preparation, social, communication, travel and safety skills, etc for each individual participant to work toward their goal accomplishment within the program outcome measures.
• Serve as the program QIDP staff and ensure that each individual’s Day Habilitation Plan is developed and is currently based on his/her outcomes contained in the Life Plan
• Responsible for maintaining each individual’s program records and ensure that they contain the current Life Plan, LOC, medical, and other vital documents as required based on OPWDD regulations.
• Ensure that each individual’s Habilitation Plan/Staff Action is reviewed Annually and Semi-Annually in a timely basis with the individual, the Care Manager, advocates, and other interested team members.
• Responsible to ensure that Habilitation Plans/Staff Actions are filed and distributed to all parties on a timely basis.
• Ensure that each individual’s goal sheet (Monthly Tracking Sheet) is completed, initialed, and signed by assigned Habilitation Specialist staff on a daily basis.
• Review all individual goal sheets on a weekly basis to monitor that Habilitation Specialists are recording and documenting each individual’s outcomes (goals) as required.
• Responsible for the completion and review of Monthly Summary Notes (Individual Responses) and filed in a timely manner.
• Perform Habilitation Specialist role and transport program individuals as and when needed.
• Meet with Habilitation Specialists, clinical staff, and support staff to discuss and train Habilitation Specialists and Support Staff on program outcomes and participants’ responses to services and develop a plan of action when necessary to enhance skills development and acquisition.
• Participate in all agency and OPWDD required training as needed

Family Supports Services:

• Provide Direct therapeutic support and services to assigned individuals and/or families to address ongoing behavioral needs or skills development
• Ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities receiving Family Support Services through Heritage Human Services and their family members are availed of the opportunity to access supports and services based on their individual needs
• Ensure that supports and services promote self-advocacy and individual choices while safeguarding their rights, health, and safety
• Provide support and guidance to assigned Families with addressing ongoing needs as indicated in the program plan
• Complete program implementation/goal sheets to attest that service was provided on the day of service
• Complete monthly service notes to document individual progress and response to services

Skills, Abilities, Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to organize information.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with absolute confidentiality.
• Working knowledge of computer software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to make decisions independently or solve problems as needed.
• Ability to maintain good individual/family relations.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish, Haitian Creole, or any other Languages, a plus.

Days / Hours of Work: Monday to Friday (Flexible), 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
NOTE: The Days/Hours will vary based on the need for the programs and/or individuals/families.

Job Title: Community Habilitation Specialist
Supervisor: Community Habilitation Specialist Reports Directly to Community Habilitation Supervisor/Case Manager
Preferred Qualification: Bachelors Degree in Health and Human Services Field and experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities
Minimum Qualification: High School Diploma or GED and one year of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrate proficiency in direct care activities and training.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and families.
• Ability to assess needs and coordinate services for individuals.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate interest in working in a direct care position serving the emotional, physical, and healthcare needs of individuals with Developmental and Intellectual disabilities and behavioral challenges.
• Ability to lift, bend, stretch, run, and perform other physical activities are required.
• Experience providing home and community-based activities with adults with Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities preferred.

Preferred Certifications: Adult CPR, First Aid, and SCIP-R

SUMMARY:

1. Skills Development – Depending upon the Individual’s needs, provide direct support as per each individual’s Community Habilitation Service Plan (Comm. Hab Plan). This may include developing independent skills in the areas of ADL (personal hygiene, toileting self-care needs), Home/Community Skills (cooking, shopping, budgeting, travel training), and Recreational/Social Skills (dining out, belonging to a group, and utilizing community resources (parks, libraries, museums, etc).
2. Provide Safeguards – Assure the health and safety of the individuals by monitoring, supervising, and implementing the safeguards in the individual’s Community Habilitation Plan.
3. Accurate and Timely Documentations – Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records and documentation of the implementation of each individual’s Community Habilitation Plan on the Daily Tracking Sheet and write each individual’s response to the services provided.
4. Attend training, seminars, in-service sessions, and staff meetings as needed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of the Community Habilitation Specialist will include but is not limited to assisting, training, supervising, and monitoring individuals with various forms of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at various community settings and in their homes with the following based on each individual’s Community Habilitation Service Plan:

• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of appropriate job skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of Community safety/awareness skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of Activities of daily living (ADL) skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of budgeting/money management skills
• the development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of travel training skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of appropriate community/social skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of recreational activities/skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of dietary/nutritional needs
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of speech, language, and communication skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of community integration
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of independent living skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of self-awareness skills
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of behavior modifications
• The development, acquisition, and/or maintenance of health and safety skills
• Perform any other assignments, duties, and responsibilities that may be assigned

Role of Community Habilitation Specialist
The role of the Group Day Habilitation Specialist will include but is not limited to the following:

• Promote freedom of choice, self-advocacy, and independence while ensuring that each individual’s rights, health, safety, and well-being are maintained at all times

Behavioral Supports:

• Identify each individual’s strengths and reinforce those characteristics and behaviors consistently throughout the day
• Model appropriate behavior and language to the individuals

Teamwork and Communication

• Respect the individuals, family members/advocates, and fellow staff by listening to their ideas, concerns, and suggestions
• Be reliable and honest towards individuals, family members, and advocates
• Address issues and concerns between the individual and family members with sensitivity

Family members/Advocates and Staff Support and Interaction

• Be courteous and non-judgmental of family members/advocates
• Listen and give positive feedback about the individuals to family members/advocates
• Speak to family members/advocates in positive tones about the individuals
• Provide information regarding the individual’s Community Habilitation Services as necessary to family members/advocates upon request
• Represent Heritage Human Services in a positive way

Confidentiality of Information

• Maintain confidentiality of each individual’s personal information
• Never disclose information regarding any individual to others except to the individual’s advocates

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Crisis Intervention Specialist
Supervisor: The Crisis Intervention Specialist Reports Directly to the Family Supports Supervisor
Preferred Qualification: Bachelors Degree in Health and Human Services Field and experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities
Minimum Qualification: High school Diploma or GED and one year of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrate proficiency in direct care activities and training.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and families.
• Ability to assess needs and coordinate services for individuals.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate interest in working in a direct care position serving the emotional, physical, and healthcare needs of individuals with Developmental and Intellectual disabilities and behavioral challenges.
• Ability to lift, bend, stretch, run, and perform other physical activities are required.
• Experience providing in-home and community based behavioral supports and activities for individuals with Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities preferred.

Preferred Certifications: Adult CPR, First Aid, and SCIP-R

SUMMARY:

1. Behavior Management – Depending upon the individual and family’s needs, assess, evaluate, and implement direct and support services based on each individual’s Crisis Service Plan.
2. The Crisis Intervention Specialist is primarily responsible for assisting and supporting the needs of the individual and his/her family with strategies to prevent a crisis or respond to a crisis or a situation that may lead to a crisis including challenging behavioral needs or concerns.
3. Provide Safeguards – Assure the health and safety of the individuals by monitoring, supervising, and implementing the safeguards in the individual’s Crisis Service Plan.
4. Accurate and Timely Documentations – Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records and documentation of the implementation of each individual’s Crisis Service Plan on the Crisis Document Service Sheet and indicate each individual’s response to the services provided.
   Attend training, seminars, in-service sessions, and staff meetings as needed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the Crisis Intervention Specialist will include but is not limited to assisting, training, teaching, supervising, and monitoring individual and his/her family members in the implementation of the Crisis Service Plan to prevent, reduce and/or address a crisis situation based on the individual/family’s needs:

• Teach and assist the individual/family member on how to prevent, de-escalate, and address the individual’s inappropriate behavior skills
• Assist the individual/family members to identify antecedents for the behaviors and minimize them
• Provide the individual avenues to channel his/her negative emotions such as the use of various activities
• Assist the individual to acquisition and maintenance appropriate behaviors at home and in the community
• Assist the individual and his /her advocate to learn coping mechanisms to address their stressors
• Assist the individual in developing appropriate social behaviors and reduce maladaptive behaviors
• Assist the individual to participate and be included in various community events and activities as he can tolerate and when possible
• Perform any other assignments, duties, and responsibilities that may be assigned

Role of Crisis Intervention Specialist
The role of the Crisis Intervention Specialist will include but not limited to the following:

• Promote freedom of choice, self-advocacy, and independence while ensuring that each individual’s rights, health, safety, and well-being are maintained at all times

Behavioral Supports:

• Identify each individual’s strengths and reinforce those characteristics and behaviors consistently throughout the service period
• Model appropriate behavior and language to the individuals

Teamwork and Communication

• Respect the individuals, family members/advocates, and fellow staff by listening to their ideas, concerns, and suggestions
• Be reliable and honest towards individuals, family members, and advocates
• Address issues and concerns between the individual and family members with sensitivity

Family members/Advocates and Staff Support and Interaction

• Be courteous and non-judgmental of family members/advocates
• Listen and give positive feedback about the individuals to family members/advocates
• Speak to family members/advocates in positive tones about the individuals
• Provide information regarding the individual’s Crisis Intervention Services as necessary to family members/advocates upon request
• Represent Heritage Human Services in a positive way

Confidentiality of Information

• Maintain confidentiality of each individual’s personal information
• Never disclose information regarding any individual to others except to the individual’s advocates