POSITION TITLE: DSP "Residential Facilitator"      

                      

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

 

The Residential Facilitator "DSP" provides supportive counseling, medication management, skills teaching, family support, education, and crisis support to persons with Intellectual Disabilities.  The goal of these services is to assist individuals in obtaining the support, skills, and services necessary to improve their level of functioning and tenure within the community. While the primary focus is in delivering services to group home residents and supervision of the staff, the secondary focus is on the management of the physical facility and operations of the group home.

 

SUPERVISION:

Supervision is received from the Residential Supervisor "House Manager".

 

WORK HOURS:

 

This position requires flexibility in work schedule.  The expectation is that all staff will be available to work a flexible schedule, which may include overnights, evenings, weekends and holidays and live-in. If a specific time off is needed, then the Residential Facilitator is expected to notify and negotiate the needed time with the Residential Supervisor. Under no circumstances will overtime be allowed without written prior approval of Program Director.

 

EXPECTATIONS OF PERFORMANCE:

Resident Related Functions

Residential Facilitators will:

1. Identify individual residents’ needs through in-person contacts with the individuals, their families, other staff, guardians, case managers and significant others.

2. Assure that the residents and other house staff understand their rights to confidentiality and the limits of confidentiality.

3. Assure that the residents and Residential Facilitators understand the rights of residents as recipients of mental retardation services, including informed consent and risks and benefits of treatment.

4.  Complete certification in the passing of oral medications if required by position.  Provide medication management to clients as dictated in the medication regulations and follows safe practice procedures taught in the CRMA course. The administration of medications is one of the most important functions of the Residential Facilitator and the direct care staff.  It is imperative that the documentation and administration of medication follow safe practice. This will include, but not be limited to; ordering medications, coordinating med orders and order changes, administering the correct medication, correct dose, at the correct time, to the correct person and by the correct route.  All documentation will be completed on the Medication Administrative Record and in the individual client file.

5.   Provide crisis intervention and practical counseling when needed through supportive counseling or problem solving activities and know and use procedures for accessing emergency medical and psychiatric services.

6.   Assist the residents in developing and maintaining the supports necessary to manage their lives.

7.   Assist residents one-on-one or in small groups to develop adult living skills such as personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, budgeting, appropriate dress, etc.

8.   Coordinate with other house staff recreational activities.

9. Operate the residence in such a manner that the human rights and dignity of all residents are of utmost consideration.

10.  Attend resident related meetings with other provider, staff meetings, and in-services.

11.  Be required to transport/coordinate client’s community appointments, i.e. doctor appointments, recreational activities, team meetings, etc.        

This needs to happen is such a way as the house schedule runs smoothly.

12. Attend all psychiatric appointments with residents.

13. Be responsible, positive role models for residents and other Residential Facilitators.

 

Team member Functions:

Residential Facilitators will:

1.  Participate as a team member within their own house, with peers, and with the administration in such a way that they are an asset to each team, and are able to treat all team members with respect, understanding, caring and fairness.

2.  Coordinate and collaborate with other peers to pool resources so that each house is   considered a support to all other houses, especially in times of need.

3.   Work toward Agency goals and objectives, and the Agency mission statement, and realize that all who work at the Agency are necessary and valuable players in the fulfillment of the mission, goals and objectives.

 

Administrative Functions:

Residential Facilitators will:

1. Complete, ensure and coordinates the maintenance of all required clinical and administrative documentation for residents in a timely and competent manner.

2. Attend staff meetings and in-service training programs.  Residential Facilitator and house meetings are part of the regularly scheduled shift and any absences will need to be pre-approved by the Residential Supervisor.  

3. Coordinate with all team members and Agency office staff to ensure communication and paperwork flow is effective and efficient, and to maintain consistency within the program.

 

Physical Plant Related Functions:

The Residential Facilitator will participate in the following:

1. Assure that the house is kept in safe, general good order by coordinating tasks with other Residential Facilitators, and be responsible for the over-all cleanliness and condition of the house per licensing regulations.

2. Assure that grocery shopping is done and well rounded nutritious meals and snacks are provided for the residents. Food preparation will be based on resident preferences and choices, and dietary restrictions.

3.  Coordinate with the Program Director in the ordering of necessary supplies.

4.  Consult with the Program Director regarding house repairs.

5.  Perform house duties with residents and other direct care staff.

6.  Perform monthly fire drills and safety inspections.

7.  Perform general yard work (i.e. shoveling, raking, lawn pick-up etc.), routine maintenance tasks (i.e. changing light bulbs, and other small tasks usually done by a home owner), and work with the Maintenance Coordinator getting maintenance done by outside resources.

8.  Performs other duties assigned by Program Director.
 

AGENCY RELATED FUNCTIONS:

1. Understands and follows agency policies and procedures.

2.   Completes and submits accurate and timely reports.

3.  Assures that employees function in a cost effective manner with regard to utilization of time, mileage, and job related expenses.

4.  Attends agency meetings as required. Residential Facilitator and house meetings are considered supervisory in nature and therefore attendance is mandatory.

5.  Seeks consultation with the Residential Supervisor as needed and participates in the supervisory process.  

6.   Provides added individual and program consultation around any area in which they may have special expertise.

7.   Represents the agency in a professional manner at all times.

8.   Participates in required and elective staff development activities in accord with the individual staff development plan.

9.  Participates in Special Olympics, both Spring and Summer.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

 

Education and Experience:  The Residential Facilitator must have a minimum of a High School Diploma or GED Certificate. Work, volunteer, or personal experience with people with Intellectual Disabilities is desired, but not required.

 

The Residential Facilitator must have a valid Maine driver’s license and comply with all necessary state laws.  

 

Must consistently pass a State Bureau of Investigation and a Department of Motor Vehicle check, and be eligible under the Agency Insurance to maintain employment.

 

Must be able to provide safe and reliable transportation when an agency vehicle is not available.
 

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 the job.

 

Employees will be required to shovel snow, mow lawns, do general cleaning such as washing floors, tubs, showers, etc. all of which requires bending, stretching, twisting and lifting up to 25 pounds.  There may be occasional lifting of clients.

 

The employee must be able to sit and drive a car or van.  Typically, individual trips will be up to one hour in length.  Several trips per day may be required. The employee must be able to walk on uneven surfaces and climb stairs.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

 

The work environment characteristics here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

 

The usual environment is in a group home or the community and neighborhood surrounding a group home.  In the group homes staff will be exposed to pets which include cats and dogs. Regularly, the employee will be required to transport him/herself to locations in the community, occasionally with residents.

 

The employee will be required to sleep in the group home as scheduled.

 

PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS:

 

Employees must satisfactorily complete a 3-month probationary period.  At the end of 3 months, the employee may be granted regular status or may be continued on a probationary basis for an additional 3 months.  Subsequent job performance evaluations will occur on an annual basis.