Description

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Program Director/designee, functions as part of a team assigned to support consumers living in independent apartments in the community. Assists assigned individuals in developing and maintaining viable living, working and social situations in the community by obtaining needed medical, social, psychosocial, educational, financial, vocational another services. Participates in the provision of crisis intervention services to participants. Travels to/visits consumers' residences or apartments to provide counsel and assistance and to help the consumers, within their capabilities and interests, in maintaining the greatest degree of independent living. The majority of duties are often performed independently under general supervision.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: List all essential job duties. (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties unless this causes undue hardship to the agency.)

• Travels to/visits consumers' residences to provide supportive services on a schedule established by the program. Helps the consumer to modify attitudes and patterns of behavior by increasing understanding of self and others. Counsel’s consumers individually or in small groups regarding plans for meeting service needs and aids the consumers to mobilize inner capabilities and environmental resources to attain goals.

• Secures information, such as medical, psychological, and social factors contributing to the individual's situation, and evaluates these and the individual's capabilities. Based on this information, completes and maintains consumer treatment plans to include quarterly service-plan reviews, assessments, medical records, and changes in treatment and/or medications either manually or using a computer. Maintains a case-record for each resident/consumer and completes required forms. Continually documents consumer treatment progress. Reviews service plans and performs follow-up to determine quantity and quality service provided. Accesses and records individual and community resource information and treatment plans manually or using a computer.

• Maintains up-to-date, accurate individual case records on each assigned consumer and develops measurable and objective service plans that maximize consumer rehabilitative abilities in accordance with regulatory guidelines. Ensures that plans include consideration of the consumer’s cultural and ethnic background, customs, needs, beliefs and primary language.

• Provides supportive counseling in 1:1 or group formats that assist the consumer to modify attitudes and behaviors as needed.

• Obtains and develops resource information for consumers in all aspects of their care; disseminates this information to consumers in a manner that is clear and understandable.

• Uses cognitive-behavioral techniques (e.g. role-plays, skills training, plans of action) to assist the consumer in meeting service plan goals.

• Facilitates individualized services to the consumer that meet the diverse needs of the consumer and focus on the discharge-planning goal.

• Explains the types of clinical services, recreational activities, and ICL programs available to consumers; instructs the consumer in daily living skills, socialization skill enhancement and conflict resolution. - Performs crisis assessment and nonverbal and verbal crisis intervention.

• Refers consumers to community resources and other organizations. Accompanies consumers on regularly scheduled or emergency visits to medical treatment facilities, social agencies, government offices, or other locations associated with the treatment or assistance of the consumer.

• May have on-call responsibilities.

• Immediately reports serious incidents, serious incident allegations, incidents, or sensitive situations to supervisors. Completes incident reports in accordance with ICL policy. Accounts for consumers and files missing person reports on consumers not accounted for in accordance with ICL policy and procedure.

• Plans, escorts, and/or arranges social or recreational activities for and with consumers.

• Performs regular inspections of the consumer's residence to ensure the safety of the consumers, accountability of ICL property, and cleanliness of consumer's residence.

• Reviews the staff communications log and makes entries concerning essential elements of information designated by program management.

• Executes emergency plans as outlined in the policy and procedure manual. Administers CPR or first aid to staff or consumers who are injured.

• Assists in the orientation of new personnel when requested.

• Complies with attendance and timekeeping rules and reports reliably and regularly to work on an on-going basis.

• Attends regularly scheduled clinical meetings, staff meetings and supervision as well as in-service training and development activities.

• Complies with agency infection control policies.

• Advocates on behalf of consumer with outside service providers and within ICL.

• Assists resident/consumer in finding and getting into vocational training or other training opportunities and works with other team members (Substance Abuse Specialist, Nurse) in addressing the needs of consumers.

• Other job-related duties that may be assigned.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, and active promotion of the ICL values and goals.

• Ability to work with consumers/residents, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences.

• Ability to serve as a role model to residents/consumers.

• Ability to develop, evaluate, implement and modify a case management plan, meeting all deadlines and productivity standards.

• Ability to complete written forms and reports in an accurate and timely manner.

• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, consumers/residents, families, and the public.

• Ability to prepare accurate and timely documentation, reports and other written material as assigned.

• Ability to secure the cooperation of and work effectively with others.

• Ability to work independently and to conform to all applicable safety and accountability measures.

• Social Perceptiveness-being aware of other’s reactions and understanding why they react the way they do Service Orientation-Actively looking for ways to help people.

• Speaking-Talking to others to effectively convey information.

• Active Listening-Listening to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate.

• Problem Identification-Identifying the nature of problems.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in a human services field

OR

Associate’s degree in a human services field* and two years of full-time experience providing direct services to individuals with mental disabilities or other relevant human service experience

OR

3. High school diploma or equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of Education, and four years of full-time human services work experience

OR

An equivalent combination of training and experience. 30 college credits may be substituted for 1 year of human services experience.

*Human Services Fields:

Anthropology, Art/Dance Therapy, Audiology, Chemical Dependence Administration, Child Development/Family Relations,

Criminal Justice, Community Mental Health, Counseling/Guidance, Divinity/Religion/Theology, Education, Drama Therapy,

Gerontology, Health Education, Health Administration, Music Therapy, Nursing/Medicine, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy,

Pastoral Counseling, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Recreational Therapy, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Sociology,

Special Education, Speech Pathology, Vocational Counseling, Human services.