Developmental Specialist (Day Program)

Vinfen

Brighton, Massachusetts

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Analysis Skills, Background Investigation, Behavioral Health, Calculators, Case Management, Clinical Competency, Coaching, Community Relations, Contact Management, Continuous Improvement, Copying Machines, Crisis Intervention, Data Collection, Department of Health and Human Services, Depth Perception, Developmental Disabilities, Documentation, Driver's License, Emergency Management, Fire Safety, Functional Analysis, Internet Service Providers, Leadership, Legal, Lift/Move 25 Pounds, Mentoring, Neurotrauma (Traumatic Brain Injury), Nonprofit, Office Equipment, Performance Analysis, Performance Reviews, Personal Care, Persuasion Skills, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Printers, Psychiatry and Mental Health, Regulations, Staff Development, Staff Training, Strategic Planning, Team Player, Training/Teaching
LOCATION
Brighton, Massachusetts
POSTED
11 days ago
Overview:

Provides case management, treatment planning, and direct support for persons served including advocacy, family contact, and all related documentation. Provides supervision, training, leadership, and assistance to Program Instructors, interns, relief staff, and volunteers. Assists in the daily implementation of Individual Support Plans (ISPs), recommended schedules and plans. Follows Policies & Procedures as outlined by Vinfen in supporting DDS regulations, and CARF standards.

Responsibilities:

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed
below:
• Supervises the activities of the Program Instructors, interns, volunteers, and relief staff. Provides training, coaching, mentoring, and staff development activities, as needed. Directs observation and clinical interaction with Instructors during program hours.
• Participates in the development of persons served ISP’s, Safety Assessment, and other assessments. Includes recommendations from Assistant Clinical Director (ACD) and other professional/para-professional staff. Manages a caseload of individuals served. 
• Implements, monitors, and evaluates the effectiveness of prescribed clinical, adaptive skills, communication, and other programs. Provides recommendations or implements changes to ensure continuous improvement of skills. 
• Advocates for needs of persons served in all areas. Promotes self-expression, self–reliance, and creativity for all persons served. Assures the preservation of human rights for persons served. Acts as positive role model to Program Instructors and persons served.
• Prepares for and attends consultation meetings with clinical staff, including Assistant Clinical Director and other para-professionals.
• Works directly with persons served individually and in groups. Assists with community involvement, relationship building, personal care, and activities of daily living. Works to promote independence in everyday life.
• Assesses functional skills of persons served and identifies appropriate therapeutic interventions with assistance from professional and paraprofessional staff. 
• With approval from the person served, maintains contact with family members and residential staff members. 
• Provides training and development of age-appropriate activities and groups. Recommends and participates in the development of activities with a greater range of choices.
• Responsible for documenting specific data, transferring it to daily chart and performs monthly or quarterly reviews of data. Collects and provides data as determined by individual ISP objectives and as otherwise specified by management. 
• Maintains physical upkeep of the program area. Has knowledge of supplies and equipment and recommends ordering when needed. Ensures equipment used is cleaned, stored appropriately, and is in good repair and safe condition. Ensures individuals served are trained in equipment before use at the service location and other work locations.
• Acts as advocate for individuals in all areas. 
• Completes continuous training in applied behavioral analysis and teaching techniques. Completes successful in-service training on Positive Behavior Support modules. 
• Responsible for the completion of 6-month review progress summaries and annual assessments according to specified due dates. 
• In conjunction with management, supervises and organizes individual/group activities and community integration. 
• Communicates consistently with management regarding treatment and skill development programs for individuals. Participates and is actively involved with ISP team. 
• Ensures individuals are actively engaged in meaningful age-appropriate activities and groups throughout the day with a focus on skill building, communication, and community engagement.
• Trains, mentors, and supports the activities of the staff. Provides information for feedback tools and provides feedback for annual performance evaluations. 
• Notifies Management staff of any emergencies.
• If assigned, functions as the Human Rights Officer and Fire Safety Officer. 
• Performs other related duties, as required.


Knowledge and Skills:
• Knowledge of human, civil, and legal rights
• Knowledge of empowerment and use of self-advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of applied behavioral analysis with developmental disabilities population
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles
• Knowledge of advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of formal and informal assessment practices
• Knowledge of participatory planning techniques
• Knowledge of required independent living management skills
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Knowledge of available community resources, job, and training opportunities
• Knowledge of documentation requirements
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues
• Persuasive, collaborative, and participative skills
• Presentation skills
• Ability to create strategies for persons served
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to provide a positive role model
• Ability to balance competing priorities
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity

About Vinfen:

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

 

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

 

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Qualifications:

Typical Requirements:
One to two years experience in a related function.


Preferred /Required Education:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required. 

Driving Requirements:
Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least six months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.


Physical Effort:
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. 
Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. 
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. 
Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.

Ability to assist persons served with activities of daily living.

Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with persons served, staff, and external representatives.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

Required Certifications:
CPR required within two weeks of hire
First Aid required within two weeks of hire
Safety Care required within 90 days of hire
MAP required within 150 days of hire
NET required

About the Company

V

Vinfen

For 40 years, Vinfen has been dedicated to transforming lives. We are a leading provider of community-based services to people with psychiatric conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our dedicated staff uses the latest in science-based interventions to support the people we serve in achieving their goals and leading more independent, productive, and valued lives as members of their community.

Vinfen is one of the most dynamic and innovative health and human services organizations in the country. With over 200 locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut, we are a premier provider of comprehensive services for adolescents and adults with disabilities or life challenges. We provide a wide range of evidence-based programs in recovery, supported living, habilitation, education, employment, clinical, and peer support to the populations we serve.
  
Vinfen’s commitment to excellence is evident in our employees across the company, who are all dedicated to supporting and empowering the people we serve. At Vinfen, we are all about transforming lives together.

COMPANY SIZE
2,500 to 4,999 employees
INDUSTRY
Nonprofit Charitable Organizations
FOUNDED
1977
WEBSITE
http://vinfen.org/work-at-vinfen