Community Support Specialist (PRN) (8:30am-4:00pm as needed)

Overview of Position: Community Support Specialists help adults with disabilities to work and experience full and meaningful participation and membership in their chosen communities.  Support needs are individualized and may include support to work, volunteer, maintain or learn new skills, gain higher levels of independence, build strong community connections, learn self-advocacy skills, manage personal resources and generally participate in community life.

People of working age will be supported to continually explore and consider competitive employment People past working age who are no longer interested in pursuing work, may be supported in retirement activities.

Support occurs in a variety of community-based settings and may include both in-person or virtual supports. This position is responsible for working cooperatively with people and their teams to support a person’s employment and community participation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Use person-centered principles and strategies to support people in service delivery.
• Support people to develop and maintain relationships, including those that are natural and unpaid.
• Support people to expand their social roles and experiences.
• Safeguard and respect the confidentiality and privacy of people supported.
• Support people to learn and maintain community safety skills and activities of daily living.
• Establish open communication with families, community members, coworkers, team members and other providers etc. to ensure proper dissemination of information that is timely, respectful and to the benefit of the person.
• Report all incidents according to Ardmore’s Incident Reporting policy and procedures.
• Immediately report any instance of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or harm.
• Support people to maintain health and wellness.
• Embody the values of Ardmore through personal accountability, listening and respect.
• Provide personal care as needed in a way that maintains a person’s comfort, safety, and dignity.
• Recognize and support the rights of people to make informed decisions and exercise choice.
• Assess, communicate, and document changes in health status to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Maintain all appropriate written communication and documentation, including attendance, daily logs, person centered planning tools, behavioral data, and others required.
• Support people to speak for themselves in all matters and offer assistance when needed.
• Use language that is respectful, sensitive and age appropriate when talking to or about people in services or about people in services.
• Actively participate in all training and professional development requirements and opportunities.
• Communicate effectively, professionally and in a timely manner with the person in services, co-workers, supervisor, employer, families, team members and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding and dedication to Ardmore’s mission and Employment First philosophy.
• Perform all other duties as assigned that are necessary to fulfill the mission of Ardmore.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Must become knowledgeable and provide leadership related to Employment First and Person-Centered Thinking practices and principles.
• High School diploma (or General Equivalency) required with some college experience preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and daily access to reliable personal transportation, as necessary, to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Must believe everyone can work.
• Must be able understand and effectively support the physical, emotional and cognitive needs of the people that you work with.
• Must become knowledgeable of digital document formats for program data keeping such as Cisms.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Must be confident and comfortable working in the field independently, and in a variety of different settings.
• Must have excellent time management and customer service skills. Strong ability to think creatively and develop strong internal and external relationships and resources is required.
• Knowledge of ASL strongly preferred.

Required Conditions of Employment

• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to bend, crouch, stoop and/or kneel.
• Must be able to push, assist and transfer the weight of an average adult in and out of a wheelchair.
• Must be able to stand for periods up to 3 hours in duration.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Must possess a good driving record.
• Must possess access to a reliable vehicle to transport people who Ardmore supports.
• Must meet eligibility for employment in the United States. (Provide appropriate I-9 documentation on first day of employment).
• Must have a clean criminal history record.
• Must be able to pass a drug screening.
• Must be or willing to become: Medication Certified in MD, CPR and First Aid certified.