Lead Support Specialist

Mental Health Association is hiring immediately for a Lead Support Specialist.  The Lead Support Specialist will provide a supportive and safe environment in a community residential setting which promotes and facilitates growth, independence and community engagement for people with intellectual and development disabilities. Perform responsibilities professionally, in collaboration with other team members in accordance with MHA’s Core Values (Respect, Integrity, and Compassion), policies, practices, program funding and applicable regulatory agency guidelines.  

Lead Support Specialist Position’s Essential Functions:

Participant Support and Advocacy
1.  Communicate and interact with participants in a respectful, enthusiastic and encouraging manner that promotes self-esteem and encourages empowerment and self-direction.
2.  Assist, teach or monitor participants in a variety of activities such as; personal hygiene and grooming, meal preparation/nutrition, cleaning of residential site, upkeep of personal living space, laundry, personal shopping, establishing healthy lifestyle habits and other personal and medical needs.  Maintain upkeep of residence while incorporating participant help/involvement.
3.  Adjust and adapt level of support to varying needs of participant.  Perform other similar or related duties as assigned or as necessary.  Ability to lift, do transfers and provide personal care up to and including total care.
4.  Engage, educate and support participants to access community based resources such as educational institutions, libraries, public transportation, social organizations, government sponsored programs, etc. in order to achieve greater self-determination and independence.
5.  Empower participants by teaching self-advocacy skills.  Act as a liaison with hospitals, clinics, medical personnel, family members and other providers as needed.
6.  Assist participant with money management training, budgeting, banking and other financial matters.  Track, count, and document the in-house monies (participant funds and petty cash) and expenditures according to MHA policies. 
7.  Facilitate opportunities for community integration; assist participants in joining community organizations and engaging in recreational activities of their choice and assist in creating natural supports.
8.  Provide transportation to participants to ensure that they are able to address their needs (i.e. medical/psychiatric appointments, social engagements, vocational opportunities, etc.)  Complete MHA’s Driver Awareness training and van driving training, if applicable.  Maintain sufficient gas in your tank to provide work duties.  Vehicle must be in working condition and able to transport on longer trips when needed.  
9. Research possible options for community events to add to the activities calendar. 

Participant Health and Wellbeing
10.  Assist in assessing each individual’s abilities, interests, and needs to help determine their vision statement in their Individual Service Plan (ISP).  Actively implement support strategies as outlined in the ISP and document progress as required.  
11.  Respond to emergency situations according to MHA, MRC and DDS policies and protocols, including but not limited to pre-crisis/crisis situations, medical events or incidents requiring community emergency personnel.  Notify and keep supervisory and other appropriate personnel informed of the situation(s) by speaking with them directly whenever possible. 
12.  Report and document any incidents of participant abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) or act of omission/neglect to agency management, the Disabled Person’s Protection Commission DPPC, or elder services hotline, as applicable.
13.  Assist participant with coordinating, scheduling and attending medical, dental and psychiatric appointments when applicable, in cooperation with supervisory staff.  Monitor medications and /or health issues with program nurse and document progress and follow-through accordingly.  Administer medications in accordance with MAP standards and guidelines.  Take, monitor and record vital signs and health-related data, as necessary.
14. Assist Program Supervisor with grocery and bulk shopping.

Documentation
15. Complete all program and MHA documentation (including vendor documentation) as specified within required timelines.  Perform daily record keeping such as daily logs and data collection.  Exchange information with next shift including conducting money and medication counts.
16.  Communicate and report in a timely manner all issues, concerns or incidents to supervisory personnel.  Complete the necessary written documentation related to particular incidents within mandated timelines. 
17.  Regularly utilize on-line agency reporting systems; internet based applications (such as the time sheet program); and all programs that are deemed necessary to complete the