OPWDD Program Advisor

Job Description

Job Description

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it’s a community.

Since 1967, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are DeafBlind or have a combined hearing and vision loss. HKNC is dedicated to working with each person to achieve their desired goals towards independence, employment, and quality of life, based on their talents, preferences and aspirations. We currently have an exciting full time career opportunity available to join the HKNC team as a Program Advisor in our OPWDD regulated group home in Port Washington, NY. The program Advisor is responsible for ensuring that Destiny Home provides home and job opportunities that match each resident’s gifts, abilities and interests with the appropriate supports to ensure success and empowerment as well as accessibility. Supervises staff and maintains the work schedules of staff. Ensures the home complies with OPWDD regulations and staff are trained in them.

This is an in person position based out of our group home in Port Washington, NY. Program needs require the candidate to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends. The pay rate is $68-73K annually.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for the development and execution of function / program within his / her span of control in accordance with HKS’ Mission and Strategic Objectives. Specifically responsible for but not limited to :

• Interviews and hires Assistant Program Advisor, Job Coaches, Life Coaches, and Overnight Awake staff.
• Supervises and evaluates work performance of Assistant Program Advisor, Job Coaches, Life Coaches and Overnight Awake staff.
• Ensures consistent and timely communication among staff on varying shifts related to consumer’s health and well-being, appointments, lifestyle programs or needs, agency, and policies.
• Ensures that all service delivery documentation is complete, accurate, and submitted within the required timeframe.
• Ensures the Destiny IRA is in compliance with all OPWDD, OMIG, and agency standards.
• Creates weekly work schedule and submits payroll.
• Provides staff training on HKNC philosophy and OPWDD regulations. Monitors staff competencies and program compliance in these areas by coaching staff during program activities on all shifts. Facilitates a monthly full staff meeting.
• Coordinates ancillary support services from HKNC and staff training on sign language, communication, orientation and mobility, independent living skills, low vision, and proactive behavioral strategies. Monitors staff competencies in these areas.
• Works with the behavior specialist to enhance the positive support plans and discuss strategies and approaches to maximize consumer support, satisfaction, and participation in daily activities.
• Supports the RN by ensuring AMAP procedures and best practices are implemented.
• Works cooperatively with Quality Assurance (QA) staff by attending bi-monthly in-home meetings, completing internal POCA’s in a timely manner and setting up required training.
• Reviews progress of consumers and incorporation of PFP goals into each individualized lifestyle program. Provides guidance, counsel, and recommendations to staff.
• Monitors quality and timeliness of written documentation and reports. Completes monthly rehab summaries, reviews monthly semp reports, reviews monthly rehab data, compiles financial reports for each resident, completes monthly home life summaries, and completes monthly behavioral summaries and all required monthly data. Ensure next month’s data sheets are set up in the goal books by the first of the month.
• Ensures the completion of satisfaction surveys for each consumer at each annual life care planning meeting. Helps to co-facilitate information shared at the life care planning meetings.
• Interfaces with guardians, advocates, landlord, and OPWDD surveyors. Acts as the lead staff at the OPWDD audits. Maintains records of recommendations and actions taken.
• Responds to emergency situations, consumer illness, building maintenance, or fire by notifying the required personnel and / or providing leadership and decision making if necessary to take appropriate course of action. Covers shifts as needed including holidays, snow days and other unplanned needs.
• Supervises monthly fire drills.
• Monitors monthly budget and expenses.
• Maintains each apartment, upkeep of furnishings, and living areas. Monitors consumer satisfaction, safety, and accessibility. Interfaces with the maintenance contact from the landlord.
• Maintains and ensures clean upkeep of vehicles and the completion of the vehicle logs.
• Supports the DBIE and works with the DBIE coordinator.
• Accompanies, serves as guide, and supports communication access for consumers and staff when necessary, in a variety of situations and settings. To accomplish this the individual may be required to use a personal vehicle on occasion.
• Performs duties and responsibilities as assigned by the director of direct service. Program needs may require employee to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Reports include Program staff : Assistant program advisor, Job Coaches, Life Coaches, and Overnight Awake staff.

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include : interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. We offer generous paid time off and comprehensive benefit package including :

HKS is committed to providing reasonable workplace accommodations to individuals with illness, injury, or disability to complete the essential functions of their job.

Salary : $68,000 - $73,000