Supportive Apartment Program - Residential Coach

Description

Supportive Residential Coach

Pay Rate: $18.30 - $20.30 per hour

Abilities First, Inc., has been making a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities for almost sixty years.  We offer a wide variety of services including school and preschool programs, day habilitation, residential habilitation, community habilitation, and employment services.

Abilities First recognizes the value of diverse experiences, identities, and backgrounds, and does not discriminate in hiring.  We are inclusive, welcoming, and supportive of people of varying abilities, races, ethnicities, religions, socio-economic status, gender, and gender identities. Abilities First is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Abilities First is seeking a full time Residential Coach for the Supportive Apartment Program within our Residential Services Department. This position provides assistance to individuals that reside in an independent placement in apartment settings throughout the community. The staff assigned to this program must have excellent time management and problem-solving skills, flexibility with their work schedules, be able to work independently, and be able to provide supports and oversight for multiple individuals on assigned caseload.

Available Schedules: 

• Tuesday - Saturday: 12pm – 8pm with flexibility and ability to provide on call coverage on a rotating basis

Full-time positions eligible for these benefits:

• Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time off 
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Employer paid life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Increased earning potential with online training through College of Direct Support
• On Demand Payment – access your earnings as early as the next day
• Discounts with Verizon, AT&T, Royal Carting, etc.
• And More!

Position Summary

The Supportive Residential Coach will be responsible for the provision of individual services as identified in the Individual Service Plan and by the treatment team for individuals who need specific assistance and supports. He/she will be responsible for maintaining current medical services and following up on the medical needs of the individuals within the program. The Supportive Residential Coach will be responsible for the supervision of the daily activities/responsibilities of the residents. The Supportive Residential Coach helps the resident achieve valued outcomes and promotes individualization (self-determination & choice), independence (self-reliance to the extent possible), integration (involvement with relatives and friends and belonging to a neighborhood community) and productivity (accomplishments that contribute to the person’s own life and the lives of those around them). 

The Supportive Residential Coach is required to provide assistance to individuals with that reside in an independent placement in the apartment settings throughout the community. The staff assigned to this program must have excellent time management skills, problem solving, flexibilities with their work schedules, work independently and efficiently to able to provide supports and oversight for multi individuals on their caseload. This position also requires staff to provide 24hrs oversight on an on-call basis at designated times throughout the calendar year by providing support for the individuals with the Direct Care Cell-phone.

Position Standards

· Establishes a working relationship with all residents and supervises their participation in daily activities as needed.

· Ensures the safety and well-being of the residents.

· Required to participate in the on-call rotation and provide 24hrs oversight with the use of the Direct Care Cell-phone for an entire week multiple times throughout the year- please see Direct Care On-call Policy-Procedure

· Provides training and assistance to the residents in developing basic skills in appropriate social behaviors and communication, safety, housekeeping, personal care, health care, medication administration, using public transportation, menu & meal preparation, grocery purchasing, and planning recreational activities.

· Assists the resident in achieving progress toward their individualized-based outcomes.

· Assist the individuals with financial training to maintain adequate amounts of fund to pay monthly bills. – this includes maintaining accurate updated documentation in the individual’s checkbook registry as well as completing financial ledgers (savings, checking, burial, etc. accounts).

· Is an active participant in the service planning process by attending ISP/Res. Hab. – Case Review meetings.

· Documents attendance, completes weekly billing for individuals and Monthly Summaries for the individual with the use of the Therap system.

· Performs responsibilities that demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and establish professional relationships with all persons involved with the resident.

· Assist individuals with scheduling and maintaining medical appointments (includes completing medical consultation forms for doctor’s appointments.)

· Assist with ensuring the individuals have an adequate supply of medications by completing weekly medication counts and supervision of the individuals with filling their weekly pill box and assistance/supervision of ordering refill of medications and obtaining new prescriptions as needed.

· Assist the Program RN with updating the site specific medication formularies for the individuals.

· Updating the Emergency Information Sheets for the individuals bi-yearly (every six-months) or as necessary.

· Completing Monthly Vehicle Inspection sheets for assigned vehicles as well as maintaining the cleanliness of the vehicles.

· Monitors and assists with individual and household needs, i.e. maintenance, menu & meal preparation, grocery & household purchasing, cleanliness & chores, resident’s personal needs, emergency & safety procedures, etc.

· Maintains cleanliness of living spaces by assisting resident and completing tasks where resident cannot.

· Completing fire-drills with the individuals on a quarterly or as needed basis to ensure the individuals are able to safely evacuate their apartment as well as completing fire safety training.

· Providing transportation for the individuals on an as needed basis – examples include but not limited to work, medical appointment, social/recreational events, vacations, etc.

· Successfully completes all required training programs, including a course in certification of medication administration. (Medication administration certification will be required of relief whenever possible.)

· Ensures all required trainings and certifications required remain current, and seeks further support and training where needed.

· Demonstrates proficiency in all goals and skillsets outlined in the NYS DSP Core Competencies, on which performance will be evaluated. 

· Adhere to agency Code of Legal and Ethical Behavior, which require all employees, consultants, board members, volunteers and affiliates to perform their responsibilities according to ethical and legal standards with honesty, integrity, fairness, good faith and respect for others and the law.

· Follows all agency policy and procedures and demonstrates continuous regard to personal safety and the safety of others.

· Performs other appropriate job related activities as requested by your supervisor or as circumstances warrant.

· Will incorporate CORE concepts of CQL’s person-centered excellence by respecting people’s concerns and responding accordingly and will use “teachable moments” to assist people in understanding and exercising their rights.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

Unless reasonable accommodations can be made, in order to perform the essential functions of this job, an individual shall be required to:

1. Have  the ability to lift up to 50 lbs., bend, squat, turn in the knees, pivot      and grasp with both hands (in order to properly and safely perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, behavior intervention techniques, and  lifting and carrying techniques).
2. Lift individuals by using appropriate techniques, if necessary.
3. Have the ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
4. Have the ability to push, pull, and maneuver adults in wheelchairs.
5. Possess verbal and written communication skills, in English, to ensure adequate regulatory documentation.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required, college coursework related to human services is preferred.
• Minimum one year experience working with individuals with disabilities required, a combination of education and experience  which in the view of the employer qualifies a candidate may be acceptable.
• Must have a current NYS driver’s license deemed “acceptable” by our insurance carrier.
• Possess verbal and written communication skills in English to ensure adequate regulatory documentation. 
• Have the ability to stand and walk for long periods of time
• Have the ability to push and pull individuals in wheelchairs, lift, bend, squat, turn in the knees, pivot, and grasp with both hands (in order to properly and safely perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, behavior intervention techniques, and lifting and carrying techniques), with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Salary : $18 - $20