Habilitation Specialist

• Serves as a liaison between Agency, residences and families. Serves as advocate and provider for all issues pertaining to individuals receiving services.
• Develops programs and Day Habilitation plans for persons served.
• Implements active treatment plans for program participants, both inside and outside of building.
• Supervises non-professional staff in implementation of Day Habilitation plans.
• Participates in individual program planning process.
• Orients, trains, evaluates, delegates, supervises work of and recommends hiring and disciplining of subordinate staff.
• Recognizes and observes important relationships with Service Coordinators for participants’ program development and referral for other kinds of assistance as needed.
• Maintains attendance and other required records/paperwork.
• Utilizes community resources, as appropriate for implementation of Day Habilitation plans and community integration.
• Carries out basic administrative tasks related to caseload and other selected assignments as directed by Program Director or Program Coordinator.
• Plans group, individual activities and assigns staff to implement.
• Trains and instructs support staff in daily routine, program plan and general procedures and practices of group.
• Attends regularly scheduled supervisory staff meetings.
• Prepares and adapts materials and plans and sets up furniture and equipment for program activities.
• Participates in scheduled in-service training programs.
• Provides support/coverage to other classrooms as needed.
• Participates in activities outside of activity room when necessary, i.e. trips, pool, gym. Enters swimming pool with program participants as required.
• Selects and utilizes educational materials.
• Teaches persons served to become more independent.
• Drives Agency vehicles for individual transportation, pickups, deliveries, community outings and medical emergencies as required.
• Assists persons served with transportation between buses and buildings as needed.
• Performs direct care responsibilities that include feeding and toileting as needed.
• Initiates precautions within established framework to assure that own work is completed in a manner free from recognized hazards.
• Performs other related duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Valid New York State Driver’s License is preferred.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with coworkers, employees, residents and their families.
• Good organizational and teaching skills
• Proficiency in the use of a personal computer and appropriate software
• Ability to operate wheelchairs and adaptive equipment utilized by persons served.
• Must maintain confidentiality of the records of the persons served.
• Ability to analyze problems and determine corrective measures.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Human Services or related field
• One year of post graduate experience is required.