What are the responsibilities and job description for the Individual Services Specialist position at Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities?
Department: CHOICES
Job Status: Full Time
Reports To: Director of Quality Assurance
Position Supervises: N/A
Amount of Travel Required: Some in-state travel
Work Schedule: Full-time position requiring flexible schedule
POSITION SUMMARY
This role is pivotal in fostering a person-centered approach, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral/emotional or psychiatric disorders, with a focus on personal outcomes and providing meaningful choices. The ISS coordinates with the persons supported and their teams to develop person-centered Individual Support Plans, including positive behavior supports and if warranted rights restrictions. The ISS serves as person’s advocate and actively promotes individual’s rights and responsibilities.
Adherence to the policies and procedures of Volunteers of America, Dakotas, is essential, and the Individual Services Specialist (ISS) position maintains strict confidentiality while treating each individual with respect. This position requires strong communication skills both oral and written and to work cooperatively with the person supported’s team including the Conflict Free Case Manager (CFCM) to ensure the person lives a self-directed life.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS STATEMENT(S)
ISP Coordination
A. Assign and review assessments to identify goals important to the person and supports needed are clearly documented
B. Ensure updated plans are finalized and entered into Therap after initial and annual meetings.
C. Maintain a consistent, comprehensive, and updated central file for each person using the online Therap system.
D. Ensure all necessary federal, state, and agency forms and reports required by regulatory agencies, funding agencies, and agency policies are completed
Behavior Supports
A. Coordinate with the person’s team to develop an effective positive behavior support plan
B. Make oral/written presentations to the Positive Behavior Support Committee and Human Rights Committee (PBSC/HRC) per agency policy and review progress and update the committees
Monitoring
A. Work closely with all the team members, ensure frequent communication and sharing necessary information
B. Ensure critical information is reported to all team members along with notifications to the guardian, HRC and the Division of Developmental Disabilities as required by the Administrative Rules of South Dakota
Enrollment/Discharge
A. Coordinate with CFCM, current support provider, person supported and guardian for a transition meeting upon initiation of services and ensure the transitional plan is effectively communicated to the team
B. Upon discharge, assist in transferring the person into another service or agency and complete the necessary Termination or Discharge notice and summary.
Communication
A. Ensure that information is effectively communicated to the person, legal reps, significant others, agency staff, CFCM and referral/funding sources
B. Serve as liaison with person’s family, authorized legal representative, and other agencies
C. Ensure a high level of confidentiality
Responsible for other duties as assigned.
POSITIONS QUALIFICATIONS SKILLS & ABILITIES
Education: Bachelor degree in special education, social work or related human services field is recommended or equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience: Experienced with Home/Community Based Services (HCBS), the Council on Quality and Leadership and Administrative Rules of SD strongly preferred
Skills: Excellent communication skills, organizational skills, and knowledge of developmental disabilities and positive behavior supports as necessary
Licenses: Valid driver’s license and provide proof of insurance
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
A. Ability to Stand, Walk, sit, reach outward, speak, and bend on a daily basis.
B. Capability to Lift, carry, push or pull up to 25 lbs on an occasional basis