Program Specialist/Program Coordinator

Program Specialist: Job Summary

The Program Specialist is responsible for coordinating, supervising, and monitoring individualized services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism. This role ensures state and federal regulations compliance while promoting person-centered planning and quality service delivery. As the primary program contact and lead, the program specialist must develop and maintain good working relationships with individuals served, families/guardians, direct support staff, frontline supervisors, support coordinators, advocates, monitoring personnel, local county administrative entities, and regulatory personnel.

Essential Duties and Functions

• Collaborate with the individual team and actively participate in the individual plan and development process and reviews. Identifies individual’s health and safety needs, preferences, and goals, and ensures that such goals are accurately documented in the ISP; and consistently monitor ISP progress.

• Writes and coordinate the completion of annual assessments based on the individual’s progress and growth. Develops, oversees, and modifies the initial, annual and all updates to the comprehensive assessment for each individual.

• Develops and maintains a catalog of community resources/activities and coordinates and supervise how individuals can access and utilize these community resources/activities.

• Establish and maintain network of relationships with individual families, support coordinators, behavior specialists, and external stakeholders to foster an integrative and supportive environment.

• Supports individual communication and involvement with families and friends.

• Trains direct care staff in the individual support plans as well as mentor them in day-to-day implementation and documentation.

• Monitors and updates restrictive procedure plans for individuals with complex behavior concerns.

• Create, maintain, and track monthly and quarterly incidents and outcome-based progress reports.

• Work closely with the Quality and Risk Team to prepare program reports and statistical data as required, including monitoring and collecting data as needed.

Participates in required in-service training and professional growth activities. Completes all other assigned tasks by management.

• Provides direct care support and coverage as needed.

Program Administration & Coordination: Job Summary

The Program Coordinator is responsible for leading, overseeing, and supervising the day-to-day operations within the office and programmatic settings. A program coordinator plays a critical role in ensuring quality care, compliance, and the overall success of the program. This position requires the program coordinator to work towards building and maintaining collaborative and productive relationships with supervisors, direct support staff, management leadership, and external stakeholders to ensure clear and consistent communication flow and improve performance and productivity across all levels of the organization.

Essential Duties & Functions

• Managing and administering all office operations including but not limited to reception duties, phone calls, emails, staff scheduling/coverage system, timecard and payroll reviews, medical appointments, Google Calendar, and record-keeping and maintenance.

• Acts as the direct supervisor of Frontline supervisors and Supervises staff in the performance of their responsibilities, including establishing employee performance evaluation standards, providing training, coaching, counseling, and feedback.

• Participates and is actively involved in the recruitment, hiring, and selection process for all DSP and FLS positions. Conducts orientation, training, supervision, on-going professional growth, and performance evaluations of all DSP and FLS employees.

• Ensures that all the individuals' medical, dental, psychiatric, and psychological services appointments are regularly scheduled, and all visits are attended and fully completed.

• Monitors and approves all program expenditures and purchases and completes all financial reconciliations in a timely manner in accordance with policies and procedures

. Coordinates, tracks and maintain individual financial records such as petty cash, SSI, food stamps, rep-payee, burial accounts, taxes, SSI, Room, and Board contracts.

• Lead person conducting due diligence to ensure all licensing audits and documentation are fully completed in the following areas: QA & Medication reviews, QuickMar electronic medication audit, HORIZON electronic progress note audit, staff training and personnel audit, individual primary and medical records, and fire drill audit.

• Work closely with the Quality & Risk Management Team to monitor and ensure consistency and regulatory compliance in all areas of clinical and physical site measures: Oversee bi-weekly QA and Medication home visit checks and reviews.

• Oversee pre-admission evaluations and placement recommendations for referred Individuals; schedule and conduct program tours and visits; oversee discharge of Individuals from the program. Complete the admission paperwork for all referrals and forward it to the Admission Committee for approval/disapproval.

• Schedule and attend all management and house meetings and any additional meetings as needed in the absence of the Executive Director or Program Director.

• Participate in the on-call rotational team and expeditiously respond to crisis events.

• Completes all other assigned tasks by management.

Educational Requirements: (One of the following)

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and 2 years of experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism.

• An associate’s degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university and 4 years of experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism.

Qualifications:

• At least 1 year of program specialist, office manager or supervisory experience is preferred.

• Successful candidates should demonstrate their ability to identify challenges, develop solutions, and adapt to evolving situations. Critical thinking and problemsolving skills are essential for ensuring the well-being of the individuals served.

• Effective organization and time-management skills are necessary for juggling multiple responsibilities, including program coordination, staff supervision, compliance, and financial processes.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, along with effective interpersonal abilities, are essential for successful collaboration with individuals, families, and external stakeholders. Candidates should be capable of conveying complex information in a clear, concise, and empathetic manner.

• A commitment to continuous learning and professional development is expected. Candidates should stay updated on best practices, emerging trends, and relevant research in the field of intellectual disabilities and autism.

• Computer proficiency in MS Office and must be able to efficiently manage documentation and data entry. Proficiency in using QuickMAR, HORIZON and ADP, Google Calendar, and spreadsheet trackers is a plus.

• Ability to pass required background checks and clearances.

• Valid driver’s license and daily access to privately maintained and insured vehicle.

• Successful completion of required training courses within specified timeframes, including First Aid and CPR certifications and others mandated by regulations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Allentown, PA 18106 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Allentown, PA 18106: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000