Lead Community Integration Specialist

Reports to: CIS Coordinator / Supported Employment Coordinator

Supervises: n/a

Clinical Supervisor: n/a

Position(s) Clinically Supervised: n/a

Job Summary

The Lead Community Integration Specialist will provide support and services to persons with developmental disabilities. The type of support will be based on the consumer’s need(s) in the following areas: community, employment, and/or in-home. The Lead (CIS) will be responsible for training and mentoring other CIS. The Lead CIS will be responsible for covering services when a CIS is unable to work. This position includes a rotation of evening and weekend hours.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the duties satisfactorily; the requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Leadership
  • Develops positive internal and external relationships by effectively representing Agency management to staff, other organizations and state and federal agencies.
  • Works effectively with the Behavioral Health Director and other members of the Behavioral Health management team to improve Agency systems and contribute to the overall management of the Agency.
  • Informs Behavioral Health Director of significant problems that may jeopardize the achievement of objectives, and those not being addressed at the program level.
  • Assumes responsibility for the operations of the Group Home.
• Programs and Services
  • Model, teach, and train CIS as directed by program managers.
  • Works independently with a wide range of individuals with developmental disabilities.
  • Promotes development and growth of practical life skills including self-help, socialization and the adaptive skills necessary to reside and work successfully in community based settings.
  • Promotes the development and growth of communication skills necessary to encourage opportunities for consumers to make meaningful choices about their daily lives. This service must be designed to enhance the varying abilities of people to communicate and be responsive to their needs.
  • Promotes development and growth of personal relationships with other community members outside of their homes to foster a sense of belonging, inclusion, and membership within their communities.
  • Provides services to consumers who are in job settings. This may include job searching, training, and assisting consumers to perform a job as independently as possible. Communication and follow up with the Supported Employment Specialist will be necessary to maintain positive outcomes at the consumer’s jobsite, and promote a sense of accomplishment and well-being.
  • Provides services to consumers in activities of their choice. This may include pursuit of activities and encouragement to develop abilities in the arts, sports, health, and hobbies of personal interest. Services are to be provided in environments which allow consumers to contribute as well as benefit from their involvement, promoting physical and emotional well-being.
  • Follows program directives and written and verbal directions in a consistent manger.
  • Follow each consumer’s ISA (Individual Service Agreement), and any additional plans of care to support all of the consumer’s needs.
  • Complete all required paperwork in a timely manner.
  • Attend trainings that pertain to the program.
  • Model and teach daily living skills and social skills to consumers.
  • Provide supports to consumers on a rotating night and weekend schedule.
  • Maintains and continuously improves knowledge of job supports, community resources, positive behavior supports and training techniques.
  • Maintains and continuously improves working knowledge and understanding of crisis intervention strategies and how to implement them in times of potentially high stress situations occurring in the public or the consumer’s home, insuring the public as well as the consumer and the staff person remain as safe from harm as possible.
  • Able to work independently with a wide range of individuals with developmental disabilities.

• Professionalism
  • Participates in professional development activities to keep abreast of technical and legal developments.
  • Supports diversity and discourages intolerant behavior.
  • Communicates, both openly and timely, concerning potential task or workload problems, status of workload, and issues that prevents the incumbent from completing tasks in a timely manner.
  • Works together with co-workers toward related goals.
  • Regularly complies with applicable state and federal law and LCMH policies and procedures.
  • Actively maintains and/or establishes internal and external relationships.
  • Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to walk; sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds.

Assumes an appropriate professional demeanor and acts as a role model of professional behavior for subordinates and co-workers.

Complies with and promotes established safety guidelines.

Follows professional ethics. Treats consumers, co-workers, and vendors with dignity and respect.

Supports diversity and discourages intolerant behavior.

Maintains confidentiality of all personnel records, as well as all consumer information as required by HIPAA, FERPA, and state and federal law.

Communication

Able to respond to common inquiries or complaints from consumers, employees, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing.

Speaks courteously and effectively, with dignity and respect, to consumers, staff members, family members, other professionals, and community members.

Resolves issues with co-workers and consumers with dignity and respect.

Communicates, both openly and timely, concerning potential task or workload problems, status of workload, and issues that prevents the incumbent from completing tasks in a timely manner.

Is aware of his or her abilities and limitations; seeks out supervision when required.

Carries out instructions furnished in written, verbal, or diagram form.

Solves problems involving several variables.

Uses good judgment in regard to communication with consumers, community members, co-workers, all LCMHS staff, and supervisors and directors.

Does not publicly display hostility and anger.

Communicates potential safely hazards to direct supervisor.

Is helpful to co-workers, consumers, community partners, and others.

Works as part of a team.

Works together with co-workers toward related goals.

Regularly adheres to established LCMHS policies and procedures.

Regularly complies with applicable state and federal law.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Performs all tasks and duties in a timely manner.

Education/Experience

Required: At least 1 year of experience as a CIS in the LCMHS Developmental Services division

Preferred: Four years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities; at least 3 year of experience as a CIS in the LCMHS Developmental Services division

License/Certifications

Required: Valid driver’s license, current automobile registration, and insurance.

Preferred: n/a