Autism Program Technician

Who We Are:

Overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains of Eastern Tennessee, The Stables sits on 25-acres designed for housing, dining, education, groups, multisensory experiences, and a wide variety of recreational and adventure activities. The Stables environment gives individuals a safe, non-institutional setting that allows them to reconnect to nature and animals while experiencing a healthy social engagement. The serene mountain environment that surrounds Pasadena Villa is the perfect place for a peaceful road to recovery. Our retreat-like setting helps individuals on the autism spectrum to explore the vulnerabilities that interfere with self-awareness, acceptance, and growth, ultimately creating a unique opportunity to develop life strategies and the inner-strength necessary for sustained success.

What We Offer:

• Team driven culture based on our 5 Star Service Commitment
• Multiple Development Pathways
• Company Supported Continuing Education & Certification
• PPO & HDHP Health Plan Options
• Flexible Dental & Vision Plan Options
• 100% Company Paid EAP Emotional Well-Being Support
• 100% Company Paid Critical Illness (with health enrollment plan)
• 100% Company Paid Life & ADD
• 401K with Company Match
• Company-Sponsored HSA, FSA, & DSA Tax Savings Accounts
• Six Annual Paid Holidays Plus One Floating Holiday
• Generous Team Member Referral Program

How You Will Contribute:

The Autism Program Technician works with individuals who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, a brain disorder that can lead to issues with social interaction and repetitive behaviors as well as verbal and nonverbal communication. The Autism Program Technician is responsible for managing the daily milieu of the facility, ensuring the safety of residents, and maintaining a therapeutic environment. The Autism Program Technician is expected to be familiar with needs of the residents and be capable of identifying cues and behaviors that may indicate a change in residents’ status or condition. The Autism Program Technician is responsible for documenting in the resident record, communicating with nurses, psychotherapists and physicians and being available to assist the residents’ families or guardians with their needs. Position oversees the health and welfare of a variety of farm animals and is responsible for the daily care of animals including feeding, turn out, preparation and assistance with animals during animal assisted therapy sessions, grooming, cleaning of stalls, aisles, water troughs, and administering medications.

Relationships and Contacts

Within the organization: Initiates and maintains strong professional relationships with peers, immediate supervisor, and leadership throughout the organization.

Outside the organization: Initiates and maintains strong professional relationships with clients and families, clinical providers, referral partners and vendors, as needed.

Essential Responsibilities

• Actively participates and engages residents in the milieu and outside activities throughout the workday, often in a variety of group settings.
• Collaborates with clinical team to determine/select appropriate interventions based on the needs of individual residents.
• Prompts residents to complete ADLs, including clean room, hygiene, laundry, etc., and completes regular room hygiene checks.
• Prompts residents to attend all meals and activities in a timely manner, and provides supervision and structure at mealtimes, as appropriate.
• Models effective table manners and small talk during mealtimes, focusing on engaging all residents.
• Provides, structures, and maintains a therapeutic environment in collaboration with other staff.
• Therapeutically interacts with residents in one-to-one situations, community, and group meetings, maintaining appropriate boundaries and modeling appropriate social behavior.
• Reacts therapeutically in crisis situations.
• Recognizes residents’ level of psychosocial development and modifies approaches accordingly to include recognizing mood changes and developing coping skills.