Position Overview:

Acts in a leadership role to provide support for the Home/Residential Unit Manager or for the Program Coordinator of the Day Activity Program. Assists individuals to maximize their potential for independent living skills and daily living activities. Provides direct support to assist individuals to achieve their personal and programmatic goals. Provides activities for the individuals within the community to build natural supports and relationships. Ensures the health, safety and well being of individual(s) served. This position is supervised by the Residential Manager in residential sites or by the Program Coordinator in Day Activity Programs.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Position is Full-Time 8am-4pm. 

Administrative:

• Prepares and submits required requests for reimbursement of work-related mileage, time sheets, and requests for use of PTO in an accurate and timely manner.
• Acts as a back-up safety officer for the facility and reports any problem areas to the supervisor.

• Completes the personal belongings inventory for individuals on admission and per ComServ, Inc. policy following admission as assigned by the supervisor. (residential only)
• Purchases food according to recommended diets and ensures food purchases are completed. (residential only)

Financial:

• Adheres to financial policies and procedures of the program and company.

Supervision:

• Not applicable.

Regulatory:

• Ensures and maintains a clean and safe work and living area. Reports problem areas to the direct supervisor.
• Adheres to all regulatory standards, organizational policies and procedures and monitors compliance across shifts. (i.e. fire drills and disaster drills, confidentiality, etc.)
• Checks water temperatures weekly.
• Ensures compliance with all USDA food regulations. (residential only)
• Ensures that preventive van maintenance is completed monthly. Ensures follow-up if needed.
• Ensures and maintains a working and living area that is clean and safe.
• Acts as a back-up safety officer and reports any problem areas to the supervisor.
• Adheres to all regulatory standards (county, state and federal, HIPAA, MH/DD/SA, DHSR, DHHS, CARF) and ComServ, Inc. policies and procedures.
• Reports any violations of regulations to direct supervisor.
• Monitors compliance across shifts (i.e.: fire drills and disaster drills, confidentiality, etc.) (residential only)

Documentation:

• Documents administration of medications on the MAR accurately and timely following the 7 rights of Medication Administration.
• Documents services rendered accurately within the required format as specified by the program. (ie: notes and billing forms)
• Documents all other required information. (i.e.: medication counts, incident reports, shift exchange, shift duties, behavioral data, etc.)
• Monitors documentation of administration of medications on the MAR for all individuals across all shifts for the site. Reports errors to the direct supervisor/nurse on call.
• Documents program specifics per rules and regulations of services being provided.

Clinical:

• Trains the individuals in knowledge of his or her human rights and how to advocate for those rights.
• Advocates for the individuals in the protection of his or her legal rights.
• Coordinates information pertaining to the individual(s) program(s) served with supervisor.
• Coordinates all communication regarding the individuals care via the supervisor.
• Implements active treatment for all individuals.
• Upon request, attends person centered planning and interdisciplinary team meetings and acts as liaison for staff and clinical team members.
• Monitors nutritional needs of the individuals and ensures that special diets are followed.
• Maintains communication and information between services and other supports rendered to the individual to ensure continuity between programs. Reports relevant information to the supervisor.
• Reports concerns and problems to supervisor in a timely manner and actively solicits input and assistance in problem solving when requested by supervisor.
• Has an extensive knowledge of the Person Centered Plan/Individual Program Plan for each individual in order to implement the goals and to ensure that he or she receives services as specified on the Plan.
• Has an extensive knowledge of behavioral interventions as specified in the Person Centered Plan/Individual Program Plan/Crisis Plan/Behavioral Support Plan and behavioral expectations of the program service.
• Assists the Residential Manager in training of new staff as requested.

Direct Support:

• Ensures that individuals in the residence have opportunity to integrate into the community, to decorate their bedrooms, and to make other personal choices appropriate for their age.
• Provides adaptive skill training for individuals as identified in the Person Centered Plan/Individual Program Plan. This may include, but not be limited to vocational skills, personal care, feeding, leisure/recreational, daily living skills, budgeting, /financial planning, and social skills.
• Provides supportive counseling for individuals, this may include, but not limited to anger management, problem solving, psychosocial skills (self esteem, stigma, identity and sense of self), and conflict resolution.
• Follows and implements behavioral interventions as specified in the Person Centered Plan/Individual Program Plan/Crisis Plan/Behavioral Support Plan and behavioral expectations of the program service.
• Follows all rules, regulations and policies regarding Administration of Medications (i.e. Medications are given according to physician orders, medications are labeled and stored correctly.)
• Orders medications as assigned or approved by the supervisor/Director of Nursing.
• Prepare meals per menu plan.
• Assists individuals in planning of the monthly activity calendar and follows the planned activity calendar.
• Assists individuals in participation of monthly self-governance group meetings when needed.
• Ensures the health and safety of individuals at all times.
• Prevents crisis situations by implementing positive behavioral intervention techniques and implements the crisis plan as needed.
• Works any shift as required by the supervisor including week-ends and holidays.
• Provides transportation of individuals as needed for approved activities and appointments.
• Ensures all resources in the area are utilized when purchasing food and purchase emergency food supply per regulations.
• Assists with providing on-site monitoring of the daily operation of the residential site(s).
• Provides staff information on medications, diets, behavioral support plans, individual PCPs/IPPs, etc.
• Assists individuals with the opportunity to interact and become a part of the community.
• Provides meaningful activities based on individual differences and level of functioning.
• Provides supervision of individuals at all times.

Other:

• Adheres to employee rules of conduct.
• Attend all organization training required of position. Attends any outside training and education as approved or assigned by supervisor.
• Employee in this position must be flexible with schedule and make changes as requested or required by position responsibilities.
• Participates on committees as assigned by supervisor.
• Acts as a role model for other ComServ, Inc. staff and individuals receiving services.
• Ensures that all ComServ, Inc. equipment or vehicle used in conducting the responsibilities of this position is used in a responsible manner and maintained appropriately.
• Ensures and supports cultural competency within the organization that is reflective of the community and individuals served in regard to culture, age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, spiritual beliefs, socioeconomic status, and language.
• Performs other duties deemed appropriate by supervisor.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:

High School Diploma or GED. One year of experience working with the population served.

Preference will be given to applicants having 12-24 months experience working with individuals with a disability in a health or human services field.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to read, write, follow instructions, read directions, perform basic math.
• Shall be willing and able to use various and creative means of communication.
• Should exhibit characteristics such as patience, kindness, and an eagerness to help.
• Must be flexible, and display a willingness to adapt to ever-changing environments due to the individual needs of the population served.
• Potential employees must have a valid North Carolina drivers license and possess a

safe driving record as deemed acceptable by the companys insurance provider.

• Should be able to use good judgment.
• Must be able to respond to emergencies, collaborate and work as part of a team.
• Must exhibit a positive attitude.

Adaptability

• Remains effective despite changes in job
• Moves through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge and concerns
• Moves from one job priority to another as required by internal and external demands

Collaboration/Team Work

• Acknowledges the importance of others opinions and ideas; accepts that some people will never be completely convinced of one point of view
• Works toward solutions

Judgment

• Considers the pros and cons before making a decision
• Considers organization and managements views
• Thinks about and deals with potential problems that might be coming from a decision

Planning and Organizing

• Documents important tasks or activities to achieve required results
• Distinguishes between what is urgent and what is not in setting priorities.

Physical Demands/Conditions:

The physical demands described in this section are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on an individual basis.

Summary: Direct Care positions are responsible for performing various physical tasks when working with individuals served in a Day Activity Program, Group Home or Community Environment. Below are a list of movements that Direct Care Staff must be able to demonstrate in his/her job skills in order to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the Direct Care position. The Direct Care Employee must be able to perform the job tasks with or without reasonable accommodation as outlined in ADA.

Definitions:

Sitting: Remain in the seated position.

Standing: Remaining on ones feet in an upright position at a workstation without moving

about.

Walking: Moving about on foot.

Lifting: Raising or lowering an object from one level to another.

Carrying: Transporting an object, usually but not limited to holding it in the hands or arms or on and over the shoulder.

Pushing: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away to desired direction.

Pulling: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the desired location.

Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, leaning, crouching, running, and climbing.

Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, ramps, and van steps using legs or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.

Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of lower extremities and back muscles.

Kneeling: Bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee or knees.

Crouching: Bending body downward and forward by bending legs and spine.

Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hand and feet.

Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any or all directions including but not limited to in front of body, behind, to the side, downward, and upward.

Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands. Fingers are involved as an extension of the hand, such as to turn a switch or button a sweater.

Fingering: Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm as in described in handling.

Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture, by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to another person. Convey detailed spoken instructions to Individuals served, colleagues, supervisors, or to general public such as visitors accurately, clearly, and concisely.

Visual: Three dimensional vision. Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships

so as to see objects where and as they actually are.

• This position requires that an employee work in close proximity to individuals with physical and mental disabilities.

• The employee may encounter unpredictable situations based upon the physical and mental attributes of the population served.
• The employee may be exposed to infectious diseases and bodily fluids.
• The employee should be able to stand, ambulate, and/or walk throughout an (8) eight hour work day.

• With assistance, an employee will be asked to assist, lift, transfer or carry individuals of varying weights, sizes and abilities to self-ambulate.
• Ability to ascend and descend steps, stairs, van steps, ladders and step stools.
• Should be able to perform with ease bending, stooping, and kneeling while lifting a minimum of 50 pounds independently.

• Ability to tolerate the smell of urine, feces, vomit, saliva, etc.
• Must possess the ability to move with ease and variable speeds to serve the needs of the individuals constant changing human behaviors.
• Must be able to tolerate extreme hot, cold, noise, vibration and moving mechanical parts, etc.