Community Integration Specialist

Beacon is a successful and national private-equity backed behavioral health growth company providing residential-based services and supports to children and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Severe Mental Illness, Autism, and high-acuity behaviors. All activities related to this position must be delivered in compliance with the company’s policies and procedures, Joint Commission standards, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, HCBS guidelines and the contractual requirements of Community Mental Health Agencies and other regulatory bodies. As a Direct Support Professional, you are expected to be aligned with the goals and mission of the organization, and to perform in accordance with our “I CARE” core values of the organization – Integrity, Compassion, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence.

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide a wide variety of person-centered supports and services to people with developmental disabilities. DSPs empower the people they support by providing education, experience and exposure so they can make their own informed choices. DSPs model, teach and advocate for people with developmental disabilities in order to support them to achieve their highest level of independent living, enable their fullest participation in society, ensure their civil and human rights are protected and promote their ability to be productive, contributing members of the community.

• Understands and follows the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) code of ethics
• Maintains their first allegiance to the people they support by demonstrating respect and supporting problem solving skills.
• Promotes daily thinking and problem-solving skills of the person served, using active listening and coaching skills in order to reduce their dependency on staff and increase their self-esteem.
• Understands and promotes the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights; teaching and modeling rights to people supported.
• Consistently communicates with people supported about community opportunities and keeps up on local options.
• Seeks out and assists people supported with developing natural support relationships to build social capital.
• Maintains positive and communicative relationships with volunteer sites and community connections.
• Ensures activities are based on the desires and goals of people supported and actively seeks input from people supported on their daily routines and activities.
• Follows all Non-Medical Transportation rules and policies, including daily vehicle inspections.
• Provides assistance to people supported in all areas of community navigation and integration.
• Encourages growth and recognizes autonomy while being attentive and energetic in always reducing the risk of harm by providing all necessary supports indicated in the person-centered plan.
• Has solid knowledge and understanding of person-centered planning and service delivery.
• Assists in the development (up to and including attending person-centered planning meetings), implementation and on-going evaluation of active treatment plans that are based on the person’s preferences, needs and interests.
• Maintains close communication with the Director of Community Integration.
• Helps people supported to develop/maintain positive interpersonal relationships with their peers, with others in their families and with people in the community.
• Follows all safety and risk guidelines for people supported.
• Actively participates at staff meetings by communicating observations concerning progress and reaction to various therapy programs.
• Completes accurate service and support documentation within required timeframes, based on the implementation of the habilitation plan.
• Practices safe and sound crisis prevention and intervention strategies by promoting and teaching the use of preventative strategies, therapeutic activities and recreation, and early intervention techniques;
• Recognizes abuse, neglect, mistreatment, and exploitation (ANME) and as a mandated reporter, reports unusual and major unusual incidents following the ANME policies.
• Provides ongoing communication within and across departments to ensure proper service delivery is provided.
• Administers prescribed medications and treatments; teaches, observes, reports concerns and progress in self-administration of medication; assists the individuals in achieving more independence in administration of medications
• Provides the necessary level of support, as indicated in the person-centered plan, while empowering and advocating for the individual before, during and after medical appointments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL EMPLOYEES

• Communicates in a clear and concise manner.
• Proactively helps others, within and across departments.
• Recognizes accomplishments and shares successes.
• Demonstrates respect and professionalism when interacting with others.
• Goes out of their way to include people supported in their community and have positive relationships with neighbors.
• Problem solves when concerns arise.
• Is flexible and adapts to change.
• Prioritizes and completes the most important tasks first.
• Anticipates possible problems and takes action to prevent them.
• Does not gossip, rather finds positive ways to communicate and share concerns with others.
• Completes responsibilities in a timely and high-quality manner.
• Is honest and proactive when mistakes happen.
• Does what they say they will do.
• Documentation information in a clear, concise, and legible manner.
• Proactively attains the information needed to be the best.
• Recognizes when lacking a necessary skill and seeks advice and/or assistance.
• Shows interest through listening and demonstrating empathy.
• Smiles, says hello, and introduces self to people supported and their circle of support.
• Asks people supported and their circle of support if they have additional needs or questions.
• Acknowledges requests and communicates a timeline for response and/or resolution.
• Maintains a positive and professional relationship with people supported and their circle of support, employees and other community and business contacts.
• Maintains confidentiality of all issues and subject matters and observes individuals’ rights.
• Completes mandatory initial and annual training prior to the expiration date to maintain skills.
• Participates in required meetings.
• Follows safety regulations at all times and addresses safety issues that may arise.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum starting age 18
• Must have a valid Ohio driver's license with 5 points or less
• Must have criminal record that qualifies you for developmental disability employment, based on the Ohio Revised Code
• One (1) year of experience providing support to people with developmental disabilities in community-based settings is preferred, but not required.
• Use of a tablet and apps for service documentation and timekeeping.

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