Developmental Specialist

THE BFAIR WAY – Inspiring Abilities, Creating Limitless Possibilities:

We area national and state accredited human service agency responsive to the unique needs of people with disabilities and their families through a dedication to excellence; diverse options; safe and healthy environments; fiscal responsibility; community partnerships; career opportunities and advancement.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Developmental Specialist is responsible for working with 1 – 7 individuals in a site-based day program. This position is a direct service role in which the developmental specialist assists individuals with developmental disabilities with skills training including independent living skills, communication, behavior, and affective development; sensory motor, social development and self-help as prescribed in each member’s Day Habilitation Service Plan.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Treat each individual, co-worker, supervisor and others with respect and dignity due every human being. Adhere to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Human Rights Standards and the Disabled Persons Protection Commission’s (DPPC) mandated reporter guidelines around physical and emotional abuse, including the timely reporting of violations.
2. Ensure each individual may achieve optimal quality of life (QOL) outcomes for people we support through a person-centered approach utilizing universal strategies, which is the foundation of the quality care and service provided.

3. Work with any of the individuals served, including providing physical assistance and/or assistance with mobility (light/heavy lifting and transfers), bathing, dressing and other personal care tasks as well as medical treatments, laundry, recreational activities, etc.

4. Develop a positive rapport/relationship with the individuals supported to encourage and foster their own personal growth, individual control, and emotional strength.

5. Act as an appropriate role model through dress, speech, and actions while in the program and in the community to foster positive social/relationships and skill development.

6. Provide Independent living skills training to individuals including but not limited to meal preparation, budgeting, personal finance, survival skills, mobility skills (orientation to neighborhood, town/city), laundry, housekeeping, shopping, bed making, care of clothing and orientation skills for those with vision impairments.

7. Provide communication development training to members by implementing goals as developed in the Speech and Language Evaluation conducted by the SLP and ensure accurate and timely data collection of those goals.

8. Affective development by assisting people to develop interests and skills involved with expressing emotions, making judgements, and making independent decisions.

9. Provide supports in the areas of sensory motor development to include ambulation, positioning, transfer skills, gross motor dexterity, fine motor dexterity, visual motor perception and eye hand coordination.

10. Provide each member with the development of self-help skills including but not limited to medical, nutritional, toileting, dressing/grooming, eating and hygiene.

11. Provide individuals with situations to develop social skills such as interpersonal skills, recreation and leisure skills and interests as well as foster relationships with others.

12. Identify emerging crisis situations and provide assistance as needed with other staff and/or management team members. Effectively perform crisis intervention which may include providing emergency first aid/CPR; performing fire evacuation, disaster relocation or emergency search; utilizing physical restraint and/or other less restrictive interventions.

13. Help maintain an adequate supply of necessary items in good order to facilitate consistent programming, such as cooking, cleaning, arts, and craft supplies.

14. Maintain communication relationships with family members and/or guardians, residential, day, employment staff and all other pertinent agency personnel and team members.

15. Follow agency and personnel policies and procedures.

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17. Implement approved Positive Behavior Supports interventions and/or methods of assistance as outlined in applicable ISPs as a means to assist individuals with problem solving and achieving self-control.

18. Ensure that no individual is left unsupervised unless prior ISP documentation allows this. Remain alert and awake at all times.

19. Utilize iCentrix to document data from the goals and objectives outlined in members DHSP and PBS Plans.

20. Perform a full range of maintenance duties at assigned site, including light to heavy lifting, cleaning, disinfecting and occasionally moving/repositioning of furniture.

21. Provide advocacy support and education for individuals in areas of empowerment, self-advocacy, civil and human rights.

22. Transport individuals to and/or from the program or to other appointments as needed in accordance with BFAIR Safe Driver, Vehicle and Equipment policy. No smoking or use of cell phones is permitted in BFAIR vehicles or in staff’s vehicles while transporting individuals.

23. Arrange all PTO time off requests with Assistant Director of Day Services. Vacation time must be requested at least two weeks prior to the desired date(s). In the case of illness, you must call out to your supervisor two hours prior to the start of your shift.

24. Must arrive on time to scheduled shifts and remain on duty until proper coverage is found.

25. Attend scheduled staff meetings and trainings as assigned; work shifts as assigned. Shifts may not be changed unless permission is received from supervisor prior to change.

26. Accurately documents all hours worked on the Agency electronic time management system. All timesheets must be submitted timely for approval which act as your electronic signature and approval. Time sheets should reflect employee’s assigned scheduled unless prior approval was given by supervisor to alter assigned schedule.

27. Responsible for maintaining current certification(s) including but not limited to START, CPR/FA, and MAP (if applicable to position).

28. Responsible for completing all training assigned in electronic Learning Management System on time or attending any scheduled training. If unable to complete or attend it is the employee’s responsibility to obtain prior authorization/permission to re-schedule training from Supervisor and notify Human Resources.

29. Responsible for routinely checking electronic communications; including but not limited to time off management, BFAIR email, BFAIR portal, and electronic LMS system. These systems should be checked each shift your work.

30. Meet with Assistant Director or designee monthly for individual supervision; attend weekly staff meetings, and attend other meetings as assigned.

31. Adhere to agency/personnel policies, DDS regulations, follow emergency procedures and maintain individual’s confidentiality in accordance with HIPPA standards.

32. The agency reserves the right to revise existing schedules and/or program sites assignments, with notice due to the changing needs of the individuals served and program(s).

33. Perform other duties as assigned by Assistant Director and/or designee.