Description

Qualifications: Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. College background with related courses and related work experience preferred. Must have valid driver's license with good driving record. Upon employment must pass all mandatory Division of Developmental Disabilities trainings and maintain current certification in First Aid and CPR, Handle with Care, and other trainings as required by Our House, Inc., the Department of Developmental Disabilities, and Medicaid.

Job Purpose: Trains the residents, who are individuals with developmental disabilities, in independent living skills in group homes or apartments, which are located in single family and multi-family homes. Takes direction from the in-charge staff member. May assume in-charge responsibilities in the absence of all managerial staff if in-charge status criteria is met. Determination of in-charge status is made by the Site Manager.

Requirements

Essential Functions:

• Trains and supervises residents in the development/enhancement of independent living skills in such major areas as nutrition, meal planning and preparation, household skills, clothing maintenance, personal grooming and hygiene, money skills, recreational and social skills, safety, travel training, sexuality training, self- advocacy and other areas.
• May be responsible for providing a high level of assistance with hygiene, including but not limited to; bathing, toileting, changing diapers, changing catheters, changing colostomy bags, etc.
• Responsible for the safety and well-being of the residents.
• Provides adequate supervision for the individuals in the home as outlined in their IHP/ISP.
• Supervises and documents the administration of resident medication in accordance with Our House, Inc. and Division of Developmental Disabilities medication procedures.
• Transports residents in agency vehicle to medical appointments. Shopping, activities, etc.
• Must be able to accompany and supervise residents on appointments, community activities, recreational events and advocate/support them in a community setting.
• Supervises Counselors and Floating Counselors on shift in the absence of managerial staff if in-charge status is authorized.
• Monitors resident progress towards IHP/ISP goals and documents progress in the Electronic Client Record by completing accurate and detailed Goal Tracking Sheets.
• Completes accurate and detailed accounts of residents progress/status during each shift utilizing the Electronic Client Record.
• Maintains compliance with Medicaid Regulations by completing accurate, factual and detailed accounts of residents progress when completing Medicaid required documentation.
• Maintains and completes accurate household documentation during scheduled shifts and completes all necessary documentation prior to leaving.
• Completes and distributes incident/accident reports and notifies the ADRS, DRO in a timely manner.
• Assists residents in developing and following menu, chore/household assignments and weekly activity profile.
• Complies with OHI Standard Operating Procedures Manual and DDD Manual of Standards. Incorporates OHI philosophy into job performance.
• Maintains the safety of the home, property and vehicle by following general safety precautions, maintaining security at all times, immediately correcting unsafe conditions, properly maintaining fire alarm system, conducting emergency evacuation drills as assigned, and promptly removing snow/ice.
• Requirement to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including a mask, as directed by CDC, OSHA, state and local authorities. All employees must wear masks, as directed, while working their shifts. PPE requirements are subject to change at any time.
• Accounts for resident funds and accurately documents resident expenditures on the resident funds ledger and assists with requesting resident funds to attend scheduled activities.
• Assists residents in utilizing community resources by professionally interacting with the residents in their community and encouraging them to form relationships with community businesses and municipalities.
• Maintains a professional demeanor when interacting with community members, volunteers, service and religious organizations, doctors, specialists, neighbors, etc.
• Communicates with family/guardians as needed in a professional and positive manner. Attends biannual family meetings.
• Subject to physical encounters with individuals served. This includes but is not limited to hitting, kicking, biting, and pushing.

Secondary Functions

• Demonstrates empathy and compassion towards residents.
• Demonstrates respect, cooperation, consideration and tact in dealing with peers, supervisors, families and others.
• Attends and participates at monthly staff meetings.
• Attends and participates at All Agency staff meetings.
• Advocates for rights of the residents.
• Assists residents in holding weekly house/apartment meetings.
• Communicates residential changes/needs to managerial staff in a thorough, accurate and timely manner.
• Identifies, and works with managerial staff in meeting special/individual needs of the residents such as, physical, psychological, social, religious, civil, legal and financial needs.
• Observes residents for health problems and responds to medical needs. Sets, or assists residents in setting, regular medical/dental appointments as assigned by managerial staff.
• Maintains accurate records in the Electronic Client Record.
• Addresses regular home maintenance needs as they occur or reports major needs to Site Manager.
• Reports emergency maintenance needs to the Director of Residential Operations and Maintenance. If after regular business hours, reports emergency maintenance needs to the On-Call person, if designated as in-chard staff member.
• Assists managerial staff in maintaining complete, accurate and current resident and staff files. Maintains current knowledge of resident information.
• Attends regular in-service programs. Completes special trainings to meet special needs of the residents.
• Cooperates fully with Our House, Inc., State of New Jersey Department of Human Services, and Division of Developmental Disabilities staff in any inspection or investigation.
• Acts as a special advocate to an individual resident(s).
• Assists with agency fund raising activities at least two times per year.
• Other duties as assigned.

Performance Factors

1. Attendance and Dependability: The employee can be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious about assignments.
2. Communication and Contact: The employee communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, persons served, and individuals inside and outside OHI.
3. Relationships with Others: The employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, persons served, and individuals inside and outside OHI. The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works, to maintain constructive working relationships.
4. Maintain Confidentiality: The employee maintains confidentiality of residents, workers, personnel, vendors, and other classified agency information.

Travel Requirements

• Travel required, up to 75%.

Essential Physical/Mental Demands:

• The employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the programs, group homes/apartments where they are assigned.
• Must be able to physically enter group homes/apartments.
• Must be able to observe, hear and respond if a resident in the home or in the community is in danger or needs assistance.
• Must be able to physically demonstrate how to perform various tasks to residents.
• Must possess adequate motor skills to assist residents who are physically disabled, to be able to respond quickly to prevent injury or mishap of residents, create a safe atmosphere, and to be able to redirect residents with behavior problems. ( Examples: self-abuse/injury, darting into dangerous situations, injuring other residents or other people)
• Must possess adequate reading and writing skills to complete all trainings and required written assignments.
• Must possess good judgment and problem solving skills to handle day-to-day situations that may arise during work time.
• Must be able to work alone, while also meeting required staffing ratio.
• Must be able to accompany and supervise residents on appointments, community activities, recreational events, etc,
• Must have sufficient oral communication and comprehension skills to sufficiently understand and respond to other individuals including residents, both in person and on the telephone.
• Must be able to attend off-site trainings.
• Must be able to physically assist residents with meeting hygiene needs which includes, but is not limited to: showering, bathing and toileting.
• Must be able to physically assist individuals utilizing wheelchairs in a residential and community setting (pushing, transporting, etc.)
• Must be able to provide the adequate level of assistance to transfer residents in and out of the bathroom, bed, shower, etc. based on the needs of the residents in the home.
• Must be able to drive residents on a regular basis and complete business errands utilizing an agency vehicle.
• Wear PPE, including masks as required.

Essential Physical/Mental Demands (continued):

Lift/Force Requirement Weight

Constant 10 lbs

Frequent 25 lbs

Occasional 50 lbs