Supported Living Specialist

The Arc of Palm Beach County is a dynamic, community-based nonprofit serving and advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our dedicated and caring team members provide support that helps over 3,500 children, teens, and adults to live, learn, work, and thrive. At The Arc, we are driven by our vision of a community where every person feels welcome, connected, and accepted.

Position Summary:

The Supported Living Specialist is responsible for providing hands-on training to meet clients' needs including but not limited to; daily living skills, proper nutrition, communicable disease prevention, emergency first aid, association with medical and dental community, community survival skills, mobility training, leisure and recreational activities, money management, and other trainings necessary to establish and maintain independence. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:      

• Develop and implement Supported Living Plan for each individual on caseload. 
• Train/assist with ADL skills and maintain appropriate documentation of the same on a timely basis in close cooperation with family and interdisciplinary team members.
• Provide direct care and support to clients by teaching, engaging, enriching or encouraging them daily and may be counted as part of supervision ratio in order to satisfy compliance requirements.
• Acquire assistance from Government and local agencies; ex: HUD, Food Stamps, Social Security, etc. 
• Assist with locating appropriate housing suitable for client's needs. 
• Develop and implement an Implementation Plan in line with the Support Plan. 
• Develop and implement goals in compliance with the Support Plan. 
• Maintain case files in compliance with PBHC and Medicaid Waiver/Delmarva requirements. 
• Maintain records documenting the total number of clients served, include name and dates and times of services provided. 
• Provide daily assistance in all aspects of daily living for at least the first 30 days of placement. 
• Provide ongoing support in all areas of the client’s needs for the duration of Supported Living placement. 
• Available and on-call 24 hours a day for the purpose of emergencies. 
• Provide or assist with client’s personal care needs slightly through the work day.
• Complete Mileage Sheets if applicable, Intervention Records, and other documents as assigned.
• Provide lunch, afternoon, and other coverage duties as scheduled.  
• Attend work as scheduled in order to fulfill the demands of the job. The normal work schedule will be based on the needs of the program participants rather than the normal operating hours of the agency.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and team members.
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation.
• Ability to interact in a polite and cooperative manner with clients, family members, care givers or other agency staff. 
• Ability to use FAX machine, Copier, Computer, and other common office equipment as well as Microwave oven, Stove and other kitchen appliances.
• Understand and use basic math skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Maintain professional and courteous demeanor.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members, agencies, vendors, donors and funders.
• Identify concerns, generate and evaluate alternate solutions and make sound recommendations.

 Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services related field or experience in the health services field shall substitute on a year for year basis for the required education along with a High School Diploma or GED.
• Eighteen (18) hour Supported Living pre-service certification required before serving program participants.
• Must possess and maintain a current Florida’s Driver’s License and state minimum requirements for auto insurance.

 Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: 

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity equipment/machinery such as copy machines, printers etc.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• The ability to observe, identify, and recognize details at close and long range. 
• Frequently moves boxes weighing up to 30 pounds across office for various needs

We have a culture of compassionate team members and excellent Benefits:

• Affordable Comprehensive Medical Insurance
• FREE Dental/Vision Insurance
• Paid Life Insurance & Disability
• Bonus Days Off the week before New Year’s Day
• Holiday, Vacation, PTO
• Retirement Plan
• Referral Bonuses