Habilitation Specialist

HCA seeks compassionate, skilled professionals to join our team in the Habilitation Specialist role. The ideal candidate will value developing meaningful, long-term relationships with the individuals and families we serve. They will strive to be an active, creative collaborator as part of a multidisciplinary team working to improve quality of life and community integration.

HCA: not just a job opportunity but an opportunity to make a difference.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitate discussion with individuals, and/or families to help them understand problems, define goals, and develop realistic action plans as they relate to their plans and ISP’s
• Attend ISP meetings and hold six month review meetings
• Collect information about individuals, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods
• Assist with the development of therapeutic and treatment plans based on the individual's interests, abilities, needs, and OPWDD Guidelines
• Collaborate with other professionals to discuss therapies, treatments, counseling resources, or techniques
• Ensure that habilitation meets the OPWDD billing requirements
• Document monthly summaries; progress of goals, activities, response to treatment, and progress, in a clear, concise, and timely manner
• Participation, facilitation, and documentation of the treatment review team process, in conjunction with the clinical team at weekly meetings
• Perform on-site mentoring observations to each IRA at times conducive to direct observation of individuals served and attend IRA staff meetings
• Ensure case records are completed appropriately within agency guidelines
• Assist with in-service training of staff
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors’ degree in psychology, behavioral science, or a related field from an accredited educational institution. Must meet QIDP criteria.
• Minimum one years’ OPWDD experience

Qualifications and Knowledge:

• Excellent verbal, written, and active listening skills
• Excellent organizational & time management skills
• Knowledge of all appropriate ethical, professional, and legal standards
• Understand and respect the unique needs of individuals served and their families
• Knowledge of the NYS Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and preferrably experience with individuals dually diagnosed (developmental disabilities and mental health disorders)
• Knowledge of diagnostic and treatment services including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and special education
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests
• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced, team-oriented environment. Strong collaboration skills
• Exceptional problem-solving skills, including a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to make quick and independent decisions in response to changing conditions
• Demonstrates motivation to augment current level of knowledge and practice through participation in continuing education courses
• Demonstrates energy and enthusiasm for working with OPWDD population
• Demonstrate appropriate/professional interpersonal skills with agency personnel, individuals and their families
• Valid NYS driver’s license
• Proficient with Internet Explorer; Microsoft Excel; Microsoft Outlook; Microsoft Word; and Windows Operating System
• Maintain OPWDD and agency required trainings

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is:

• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Work involves sitting most of the time. Walking and standing are required only occasionally
• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
• Fingering is required regularly for typing and the use of hands in a repetitive motion.
• Regularly required to talk and hear with the ability to exchange and receive detailed information.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data, viewing computer screens.
• Required to function around disabled individuals.
• Working conditions of this position do not substantially expose workers to adverse environmental conditions and are typical of an indoor work environment.

HCA is proud to offer a competitive suite of benefits including but not limited to:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Generous paid time off including vacation, holiday, personal, and sick time
• Retirement plan with company matching
• Telehealth/concierge medicine
• FSA
• HSA
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Critical illness/specified disease insurance
• Accident insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Professional development assistance
• Travel reimbursement

Please note: failure to provide responses to prescreening questions or fully complete an application may result in rejected submissions.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of HCA to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship, age, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity or expression, disability, military or veteran status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, traits historically associated with race, height, weight and/or any other status or characteristic protected by law.