Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Mission: Advancing community support and opportunities for people living with disabilities

Core Values: We believe each person should:

• Be included, respected, and valued.
• Have ongoing information, experiences, and expectations from which to make choices.
• Have a variety of relationships.
• Live and participate in the communities of their choice.
• Have a career, dreams for the future, and make meaningful contributions.

Job Summary: To facilitate the development of individual program plans that comply with applicable funding requirements and the philosophy of SJCS. To create and implement appropriate monitoring systems necessary to ensure compliance with all local, state and federal regulations. To provide training and technical assistance to staff in all areas of program plan implementation.

Essential Functions:

1. Develop the SJCS portion of the Individual Support Plans (ISP) and all of the accompanying documentation for all individuals in the designated program (whether Community Participation, Community Living Services or both) ensuring that plan elements for which SJCS is responsible are person centered and properly represent the wishes of the individual for whom the plan is being developed. Meet with individuals and persons who are significant in their lives to obtain background information for annual meetings. Participate in and conduct annual and other assessment processes to include pre-meetings and other relevant activities.
2. Responsible for providing direct training to Support Specialists on all elements of the ISP to ensure competency of staff in implementing support instructions and documentation requirements of ISP goals. Make routine staff observations to ensure training effectiveness and compliance. Ensure full involvement of Support Specialists who work directly with the individual for whom plans are being developed or modified. Work with Program Director to identify Support Specialists to attend meetings.
3. Ensure up to date maintenance of individual records and develop quarterly progress notes to include progress on outcomes and identify supports needed.
4. Observe all individuals served at least quarterly. Conduct quality assurance activities to include review of documentation. Report to Program Director gaps in documentation and in service delivery. Ensure all documentation is completed in an accurate and appropriate manner. Ensure that all documentation for billing is complete and stored securely for easy retrieval.
5. Monitor behavior management plan implementation and effectiveness. Provide direct training on plans as directed by Program Director.
6. Support the SJCS-VA CLS team to actively participate in the development, implementation and documentation of the ISP of each person served .Attend ISP meetings as needed or as directed by the State Director
7. Ensure that all medical care required and to maintain optimal health and the provision of the ISPs of individuals served in a timely and thorough manner procedures and routine internal and external audits. Attend medical and other health related appointments as necessary or as directed by the Program Director;
8. Work collaboratively with Program Plan Developer and Residential Team Leaders to ensure security of individual's funds and benefits through the implementation of agency policies.
9. Submit all required reports, administrative paperwork and billing information to the accounting department in a timely manner. Maintain the integrity of all billing supporting documentation in accordance with SJCS and external funding entities standards. Ensure that supporting documentation is stored in a secure manner and can be retrieved for review or audit in a reasonable timeframe.
10. Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Secondary Functions:

1. Act as liaison with families, schools, and outside agencies as needed; serves as liaison for program issues involving self-advocacy.
2. Provide individuals, families, and staff with case management support and resource information as needed to include linkages to counseling, recreation, respite and other needed ancillary services.
3. Participate in referral, admission and discharge process. Write intake plans and discharge summaries.
4. Participate in the development of annual program goals and objectives;
5. Attend and participate in all relevant agency events, workshops, training and meetings;
6. Provide coverage when there is a staffing need; and
7. Perform other job related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Ability to gain thorough knowledge of St. John's Community Services policies and procedures;
2. Ability to act as a representative of St. John's Community Services to the public;
3. Thorough knowledge of program practices and procedures;
4. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with associates, representatives from other agencies, and the general public
5. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds;
6. Ability to effectively supervise, train, evaluate and communicate with program staff;
7. Ability to research, prepare, review and maintain reports and documents;
8. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision;
9. Ability to use sound judgment when making decisions;
10. Ability to pass a criminal background check; and
11. Skilled in the operation of relevant computer systems, including hardware and software, and office machines.

Education and Experience:

1. Requires Bachelors degree in Special Ed, Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Rehabilitation or related field with three or more years experience working in a related field; at least one of those years must include working directly with persons with intellectual or functional disabilities; Masters degree in Special Ed, Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Rehabilitation with one year direct work experience with persons with intellectual or functional disabilities can be substituted for B.A. + 3 years
2. Must meet SJCS and funding jurisdiction current requirements for criminal background/records check.
3. Valid health certificate to meet current funding jurisdiction requirements;
4. Valid state-issued driver's license with current driving record in good standing required.