Program Specialist in IDD

Verland is hiring Exceptional People to provide Compassionate Care as a Program Specialist in the Mercer County Area for our Residential locations. Our Mission is that "We believe that every person deserves a safe, enriching, and stable environment in which to thrive with dignity and respect. Our mission is to provide individualized, innovative care and ongoing support for people in our community with complex physical and intellectual challenges. "

Verland's Vision is simple "To lead the way in transformative care, for those with complex needs, allowing all individuals the power to live a life of dignity and contribute to our society to the full extent of their abilities."

The Program Specialist, working with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, is the primary advocate for each individual assigned and will ensure that all medical concerns are addressed. The PS develops, supervises and coordinates each Individual Support Plan (ISP) for the individuals assigned, completes assessments, identifies strengths, needs, likes, interests and preferences, as well as the dislikes, for each individual. The Program Specialist This is a salaried, exempt position.

Program Specialist Duties Include :

• Secures all necessary services to ensure all individuals’ needs are being met as specified in the individuals’ ISP.
• Completes / ensures all necessary documentation associated with the Individual Support Plans, Quarterly Reviews, ISP revisions and ISP process (I. E. invitations to meetings, development and implementation of the ISP, completing reviews, updating and revisions, accuracy of reports [to include dates and signatures] and reporting content discrepancy of the ISP to SC, as applicable, and team members) meet all State licensing requirements including 33b 1-19 regarding plan lead.
• Supervises, monitors, evaluates and/or makes recommendations to the SC to revise a service or outcome in the ISP that is provided to the individual.
• Reports a change related to the individual’s needs to the SC, as applicable, and plan team members
• Ensures all content are included in the ISP, (protocol for social, emotional, environmental plan, protocol for restrictive procedures plans, etc.)
• Provides assessment to the SC or plan lead at least 30 days prior to the ISP meeting.
• Reviews the ISP with the individual and coordinate the services provided to meet State licensing requirements
• Provides the documentation of the ISP review to the SC, as applicable, and plan team members to meet State licensing requirements
• Informs plan team members of the option to decline the ISP review document to meet State licensing requirements
• Monitors house funds and money relating to an individual’s needs
• Monitors Individual’s progress monthly through direct observation, reviewing, signing and dating monthly documentation of an individual’s participation and progress toward outcomes.
• Coordinates the training of DSP’s in the content of health and safety needs relevant to each individual
• Developing and implementing provider services to meet State licensing requirements (relating to provider services)
• Must be fluent on all assigned Individual’s ISP’s.
• Provides ongoing training to assigned staff relevant to each individual on the following areas: ISP and reviews, specific therapeutic needs, health and safety needs, medication needs, diet orders, and specific house needs etc.
• Exhibits a professional attitude at all times when representing the individual and the facility and maintain an excellent working relationship with all staff and peers.
• Schedules and attends (as needed) medical appointments, monitor medical follow-up appointment and ensure implementation of medical care.
• Maintains medication administration certification and maintain practicum observer certification by completing observations and monitoring staff/documentation relating to the medication process. Performs MAR reviews and medication checks.
• Provides face to face ISP training to Program Coordinators and DSP’s.
• Acts as Certified Investigator on an on-call basis when necessary.
• Perform other related duties upon request

• Must possess a knowledge of current practices and regulations pertaining to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Must have effective verbal and written skills necessary to both communicate with individuals and staff and to prepare necessary written documentation.
• Must be able to effectively monitor individual programming, providing hands-on implementation and staff training.
• Must possess the ability and empathy needed to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with fellow employees, supervisory staff, Base Service Units, families of the individuals, and our co-representative.
• Must demonstrate leadership and organizational skills.

Minimum Experience and Training:

Program Specialist must have specialized training or one year’s experience in treating or working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and must possess one of the following:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college and one year’s experience working directly with persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college and two years’ experience working directly with persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Associate’s Degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college and four years’ experience working directly with persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Must complete all required clearances and maintain a valid Driver’s License.

Benefits: Minimum of 24 hours worked and employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• Health (UPMC), Dental (Delta Dental) and Vision Insurances
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HSA)
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• 403B – Traditional and Roth with Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Competitive PTO Plan
• 8 Paid Holidays
• Up to an extra $2,080 a year in lieu of Health Insurance coverage

Up to 2 weeks paid training provided by Verland, to educate new hires on daily living skills, social engagement, personal hygiene skills, along with each individual’s support plan/ personal development goals that are essential to improve the daily lives of the individuals that we serve. Completion of training is required at the start of employment.