JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Community Living Specialist
SUPERVISOR: Residential Coordinator

QUALIFICATIONS:

Certifications/ Education:A High School Diploma, GED or extensive experience which demonstrates an completion of the equivalent of a high school level education. Additional education or nursing background (e.g. CNA) are preferred.

Criminal History:A criminal record which meets company standards for approval.

Driving/ Transportation:A valid Colorado Driver's license must be obtained within the first month of employment. A driving record which is approved by MVDS' automotive insurance company?s standards: no more than two accidents, or three tickets, or one accident and two tickets in the past three years. These standards are subject to change without notice.

Experience:Experience in a helping profession is preferred, although not required. Experience including problem solving skills and a demonstrated ability to work independently are also necessary.

Physical Requirements:The ability to physically work with adults with developmental and physical disabilities. The strength to transfer individuals from a wheelchair to stationary chair, assist with walking, push wheelchairs, and assist in emergency situations.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Community Living Specialist is responsible for maintaining the home during their assigned shift. The Community Living Specialist will also supervise and train individuals with developmental disabilities in developing independent community living skills including cooking, laundry, shopping, domestic and social skills.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Provision of High Quality Residential Services

1.Provide physical and personal care to persons being served
a.Provide emotional support, social guidance, and assistance in choice making when requested by residents.
b.Respect each resident's rights within the house.
c.Assist individual residents with physical care as either necessary due to physical or cognitive limitations or as identified in the Individualized Plan (IP). Model supportive, not invasive, personal care for CLS staff.

2.Assure that all residents are regularly provided with access to community inclusive activities.
a.Work with CLS staff to identify the interests of individual residents and potential activities within the interest ranges. Plan and execute both chore and recreation related outings into the community.
b.Encourage all residents to take advantage of opportunities to attain a positive quality of life by making choices, requesting and participating in activities, participating in meaningful relationships, etc.
c.Support all residents in living in a safe and cleanly environment; encourage residents to take ownership in maintaining their living quarters as able.

3.Provide safe transportation of persons receiving services
a.Drive defensively and follow all traffic laws at all times;
b.Reserve Mountain Valley vehicles for use as necessary following the self-check-out system maintained by the Operations and Transportation Department;
c.Complete required vehicle mileage and maintenance forms every time a Mountain Valley vehicle is used;
d.Report all accidents immediately to the Operations and Transportation Department as well as to the appropriate legal authorities.

4.Assist non-ambulatory residents with physical transfer as necessary.
a.At time of hire, attend lifting, transferring, and back health in-services. Follow the guidelines to healthy lifting, transferring, and back care outlined in the sessions.
b.Instigate or assist with physical transfer of residents including, but not limited to, pushing wheelchairs, assisting someone in standing from a seated or laying position, assisting clients in entering and exiting vehicles. Recognize the resident's ability to assist in their own transfer and encourage their assistance.
c.Recognize own strengths and weaknesses and work within these limitations to reduce risk of injury from the physical demands of the job. Request assistance from co-workers when necessary.

5.Communicate with the Residential Coordinator about observed resident needs.
a.Bring to the attention of the Medical Office and Residential Coordinator newly observed or changed medical needs in a timely manner;
b.Present new or changed needs of residents in social, physical care, or emotional realms in a timely manner.

6.Maintain accurate daily documentation for each resident.
a.Upon arriving at work, review the house log to become familiar with the house happenings.
b.At the end of every shift record pertinent events in the log to assist staff who will work later.
c.Provide Case Management with accurate and professional Incident and Accident Reports within 24 hours of the incident. Assist the Residential Coordinator to ensure that CLS staff complete these reports within the time designated.

7.Administer medications to residents as directed by the Medical Office.
a.Attend the medication administration certification class taught by one of the Registered Nurses, and achieve certification.
b.Maintain certification by striving for accuracy of medication administration, thereby minimizing medication errors.
c.Correctly document medication administration on medication sheets including signing the sheet and initialing the medications.
d.Report all medication errors suspected to Residential Coordinator, Residential Director, or Medical Office using the appropriate documents and procedures.

8.Document incidents and accidents within 24 hours of occurrence using Incident & Accident Report Forms.
a.At time of hire, attend Mistreatment, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, a training session which overviews Incident & Accident Reporting.
b.Following Mountain Valley's Incident & Accident Reporting policy, complete applicable reports in an accurate, comprehensive, and professional manner.
c.Provide completed reports within 24 hours of the incident to Case Management.
d.Revise, edit, and otherwise follow up on incident and accident reports as requested by Case Management or supervisor.
e.Complete on-going training which responds to ongoing issues as directed by Case Management, Safety Committee, or other appropriate Directors.

9.In conjunction with other CLS, Assistant Residential Coordinator, and Residential Coordinator staff, ensure that the group home or apartments are clean and chores are done.
a.Encourage residents to be involved in the cleaning process. Encourage residents to learn new skills and broaden personal abilities.
a.Identify areas requiring significant cleaning and perform such cleaning overnight or while places are unoccupied unless residents are able to assist.
b.Complete facility cleaning and chore checklist, especially during overnight shifts.
c.Use all cleaning products as specifically directed by the manufacturer; never leave harmful chemicals in the open or unsupervised.


Programming

1.Participate in the development and execution of the Individualized Plan (IP) for each resident by
a.Assist the Residential Coordinator and Assistant Residential Coordinator with the development of new programming and individual goals for use in the IP;
b.execute programming as defined in the IP document including implementing goals on a regular basis, charting progress towards goal achievement, and requesting input from the individual on their IP;
c.provide input to Residential Coordinator and Assistant Residential Coordinator on the resident's needs and progress as pertains to assessment, review, and development of IP.

Site Administration

1.Attend regular meetings as necessary for job performance including
a.staff meetings as scheduled by the Residential Coordinator;
b.other meetings as requested by the Residential Coordinator or Residential Director for programmatic reasons

2.Assist the Residential Coordinator and Assistant Residential Coordinator in ensuring the safety of staff, residents, and potential visitors by
a.Identifying potential safety hazards and either handling them directly or seeking assistance from the Residential Coordinator or Assistant Residential Coordinator;
b.Conducting and documenting or participating in emergency drills as directed by the Assistant Residential Coordinator;
c.In cases of real emergencies, following the emergency plan identified for the facility; notify appropriate authorities and Mountain Valley staff as soon as possible.
d.Informing the Residential Coordinator regarding all repair and maintenance needs of the group home and vehicle(s).
e.Report all on-the-job injuries to Residential Coordinator and Director of Human Resources within 24 hours of the occurrence. Complete necessary paperwork, including
i.Incidents and Accidents Reports;
ii.First Notice of On-the-Job Injury;
iii.OSHA form 300 series; and
iv.A detailed account of the events leading to the injury.


3.Adhere to Mountain Valley's Blood Borne Pathogens Policy by
a.Using Universal Precautions at all times;
b.Completing initial training at time of hire and refresher courses on an annual basis;
c.Encouraging staff to comply with Universal Precautions and the Blood Borne Pathogens Policy at all times; reporting lapses in Universal Precautions immediately to the Safety Coordinator, Director of Human Resources, and Medical Office.

4.Receive a two-step PPD mantaux (TB) test prior to beginning work schedule with clients. Maintain a current one-step PPD mantaux (TB) test at all times.

5.Complete in-service training sessions and attend agency meetings as requested by supervisor and MVDS Administrative Staff.
a.Maintain current certifications for:
i.Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
ii.First Aid
iii.Mandt Behavioral Intervention
b.Attend mandatory training as identified by the State of Colorado including, in addition to other topics,
i.Mistreatment, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, and
ii.Client Rights, Code of Ethics.
c.Pursue on-going personal staff development to improve own job performance and delivery of high quality residential services.

6.Adhere to MVDS policies and procedures outlined in the residential manual, employee handbook, and other employee policies.
a.Assist new and existing staff to learn about necessary policies.
b.Address concerns about existing policies or the lack thereof with the Residential Coordinator or Assistant Residential Coordinator

Other

1.Work cooperatively with co-workers and supervisors.

2.Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Residential Coordinator and necessary to insure effective care of persons served.
a.Respond promptly to all requests made by Residential Coordinator, Assistant Residential Director, other Administrative or Case Management Staff, residents, and families.






12/99
JD Community Living Specialist