Autism Lead Program Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Overview

Join a Team That Changes Lives

For more than 170 years, Elwyn has been leading the way in supporting children, teens, and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. As a mission-driven nonprofit, we’re here to create real change – helping people lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.

Now, we’re looking for passionate team members to join us. Here, your work will change lives – including your own. You’ll make an impact every day, find purpose in what you do, and grow in a career that truly matters.

At Elwyn, we take care of you while you care for others. We offer:

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Benefit Packages
• Earned Wage Access/On-Demand Pay
• Paid On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Career Advancement Opportunities and Growth
• Flexible Schedules
• Retirement Savings Plan

Join us and be a part of something bigger. Apply today.

Responsibilities

Elwyn seeks a Lead Program Specialist (Lead PS) to ensure that the services provided in the Community Residential Services (CRS) program adhere to applicable regulations and that the services meet the needs of the individuals and are provided according to the Individual Support Plan (ISP). The Lead Program Specialist completes required documentation, assesses individual needs, coordinates, and secures services, provides training to staff and individuals, attends and leads meetings, and communicates effectively with all team members to ensure continuous development and monitoring of programming and services to people on their caseload.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Locate, implement, coordinate, and monitor services provided to identified individuals supported through the special team meetings (STMs) which involves disciplines including, but not limited to, Health Services (nursing), Quality Improvement (QI), and support coordination, through their quarterly review process
• Complete a full assessment no later than sixty (60) days after admission and annually (within 365 days of admission to the residence) thereafter with the following components included in the assessment:
• Functional strengths and needs
• Likes, dislikes, and interests
• Level of performance and progress in functional skills
• Communication
• Personal adjustment with peers, community, and staff
• Meeting personal needs activities (eating, hygiene, etc.)
• Supervision needs at home and in the community
• Self-administration of medications
• Use of poisonous materials
• Danger of heat sources
• Ability to evacuate in a fire
• Functional, medical disabilities
• Lifetime medical history
• Most recent psychological/psychiatric evaluation
• Recommended trainings, programming, and services
• Progress and growth in the areas of health, motor and communication, residential living, personal adjustment, socialization, recreation, financial independence, managing property, integration into the community, and water safety, including swimming ability
• Update the assessment annually with all changes for the individual including but not limited to medical, behavior, financial and psychological changes and distribute the updated assessment information to all team members in need, including a Supports Coordinator (SC), to ensure accuracy and for the development of the ISP
• Ensure that an accurate Social Emotional Environmental Needs Plan (SEEP) is created for each individual who receives/requires psychotropic medications, who has a diagnosis of mental health disorder, or who otherwise is in need of a plan of support. The SEEP:
• Must include a written protocol to address the needs of an individual with a diagnosed psychiatric illness
• Must identify the supports, services, and actions needed to adequately address the target behavior triggers of the individual’s diagnosed psychiatric illness successfully managed by psychotropic medication
• Must address any specific supports or services an individual needs to successfully manage his/her symptoms and participate in daily activities as part of everyday life
• Ensure and/or supervise the coordination of all aspects of the assigned individual’s finances, including but not limited to ensuring the individuals remain within eligibility limits, completing annual financial literacy assessments and ensuring access to funds to allow for purchase and enjoyment of activities, complying with all benefit eligibility regulations as outlined in the individual’s finance policy
• Ensure that the information in the ISP is accurate and reflects the services and supports delivered by the provider; making and retaining documentation of all communication with the SC regarding any changes that must be made to the ISP, including changes to outcomes based on a need or revision to the assessment, and ensure that the ISP is implemented as written
• Ensure medical appointments are in compliance as outlined by the Office of Developmental Program (ODP) 6400 regulations and/or recommended by the physician including, but not limited, to ensuring that the appointments are scheduled, attended, and documented appropriately
• In collaboration with the Director of Case Management, monitor and provide supervision of assigned PSs in the areas of recruitment and selection, leadership, coaching/counseling, training and professional development, performance management, ongoing survey readiness, promotion, corrective action, and termination
• Complete Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST) for assigned individuals on a yearly basis or intermittently as support needs change to ensure proper funding for support and service delivery
• Complete quarterly reviews according to Annual Review Update (ARU) dates and ensure appropriate team members receive the report to ensure compliance with regulations and all team member receive necessary updated information related to the client’s progress or lack thereof
• Participate in the on-call rotation of assigned POD
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human services related field of study AND two (2) years of experience working directly with individuals with intellectual disabilities OR Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human services related field of study AND one (1) year experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities
• Two (2) years of experience as a Program Specialist or other comparable case management role
• Previous supervisory experience preferred
• Previous experience working within and managing a unionized workforce preferred
• Knowledge of PA ODP 6100 and 6400 regulations preferred
• Intermediate experience with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel applications; knowledge of Electronic Health Record preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated strong time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated excellent judgment with the ability to independently solve problems and make decisions with little or no need for direct supervision
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate future needed changes or identify problem areas and take effective actions
• Must possess a current, valid driver's license in state of residence, have a minimum of two (2) years of driving experience within the United States, and have an acceptable driving record