Job Description

Physical Demands

• Lifting: Must be physically capable of performing the following lifting activities: assisting program participants in/out of van (some program participants are ambulatory, some have awkward gaits and others are in wheelchairs) and lifting program participants who are in wheelchairs to bed, toilet, tub, to and from wheelchair, etc.
• Bending/Reaching: Must be physically capable of performing the following bending activities: demonstrating lifting technique on program participant’s into/out of bed, bath lifts, wheelchairs, vans, etc., bending in order to pick up dropped items, to assist in changing program participant’s clothes, climbing up and down stairs, as well as in and out of agency vehicles, physically evacuate people to a safe location, and administer hands-on crisis intervention techniques and deliver emergency medical/ first aid /CPR assistance.
• Sitting: Must be physically capable of sitting to perform the following duties: recordkeeping, revising care plans, and talking with program participants. Must be able to drive own or agency vehicle from the group home to various sites in the community for medical appointments, sight-seeing, various recreational activities, etc.
• Walking: Must be physically capable of performing the following activities: walking with program participants to various indoor and outdoor activities, walking within a 1,500 square foot group home, and entering/exiting the agency vehicle while participating in trips into the community.
• Standing: Must be physically capable of standing to perform the following activities: visiting program participants while hospitalized in various facilities, visiting homes to determine overall medical/physical conditions, and speaking with program participants.
• Twisting: Must be physically capable of performing activities of daily living around the group home. Climbing: Must be physically capable to climb up/down one flight of stairs in order to gain access to second floor. Must be able to climb one large step in order to access/exit the agency van.
• Squatting: Must be physically capable of squatting next to chairs, beds, etc., to examine program participants.
• Kneeling: Must be physically capable of kneeling in order to provide emergency care (CPR, first aid, etc.) or routine care.
• Pushing: Must be physically capable of demonstrating lifting techniques to staff, sliding van door open/shut and assisting program participants with wheelchairs.
• Pulling: Must be physically capable of opening van door and holding doors open.
• Reaching: Must be physically capable of performing the following activities: demonstrating turning of program participants while in bed/prone condition, lifting/moving program participants to direct care staff.
• Hand Usage: Must be physically capable to perform continuous bi-lateral hand usage with simple grasping in order to perform all job functions.
• Foot Usage: Must be physically capable of operating foot controls in the agency van in order to operate the van. Must be physically able to assist program participants in safe evacuation from the site in the event of an emergency within timeframe specified by licensing requirements. Must be physically capable of performing CPR and First Aid in the event of an emergency.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license from state of residency and be insurable under Step By Step’s insurance carrier’s regulations.
• Must pass the Medication Administration Test and maintain Medication Administration Certification.
• Must pass and maintain CPR and First Aid certification.
• Must complete 24 hours of training within the training year, July to June.
• Must be mentally and visually aware of program participants’ actions and physical condition.
• Must read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must present a professional attitude at all times when dealing with co-workers, management and outside contacts.
• Must maintain a pleasant demeanor on a consistent basis in order to remain open and accessible to all co workers, management staff, and outside contacts.
• Must be willing and able to attend conferences, seminars, trainings and meetings as instructed.
• Must be willing and able to serve on an Agency committee if requested.
• Must be knowledgeable of Agency services.
• Must be knowledgeable of Agency policies and procedures.
• Must adhere to Professional Standards as set forth by the Agency.
• Must maintain confidentiality at all times.

THIS ORGANIZATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVISE OR CHANGE JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE NEED ARISES. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A WRITTEN OR IMPLIED CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT. I have read and understand the information contained within this job description. I am able to abide and adhere to its contents.

Qualifications

JOB SUMMARY The Mobile Direct Support Staff Supervisor reports directly to the Program Manager and supervises Mobile Direct Support Staff who are engaged in assisting program participants to live and function as independently as possible. The Mobile Direct Support Staff Supervisor will assist the Program Manager with administrative responsibilities as well as cover shifts in the field if needed. Since you will be working with people, you must be prepared to effectively deal with emergencies, health related issues and unexpected interruptions of duties. We ask that you be flexible in routine, daily assignments, site assignments, hours of work and philosophical commitment. Since your actions will affect another person’s life, it is expected you will be a positive, desirable role model. Due to your interaction with numerous professionals on a frequent basis, you are expected to represent yourself and the Agency in a positive and professional manner at all times.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provides direct, on-going supervision and support to Mobile Direct Support Staff. Completes required performance evaluations for Mobile Direct Support Staff with the assistance of the Program Manager. Prepares and coordinates staff schedules; makes needed adjustments to schedules as required, and ensures staff are notified verbally when such adjustments are made. Essential Functions (continued): Ensures Mobile Direct Support Staff receive required training upon hire and on an on-going basis. Tracks staff training hours to ensure minimum requirements are met, as defined either by DPW/DOH regulation or Agency policy, including but not limited to Home and Community Habilitation New Hire Training, Driver’s Training, Staff Effectiveness and Safety Techniques, Fire/OSHA, Incident Management and Documentation Training. Assists with program participant activity schedules and events. Ensures the availability of all necessary supplies and equipment. Ensure program participants in Supported Living are safe, secure and have basic health and safety needs met. Assists the Program Manager with staff meetings a minimum of once per month, provides in-service training as needed and ensures meeting minutes are taken and published. Responds appropriately to emergency situations including notification and documentation of all incidents to appropriate parties. Ensures the provision and implementation of specialized services including speech therapy, psychotherapy and medical and dental care to meet each program participant’s needs. Supervises the daily activities of program participants ensuring their needs are met. Assists the Program Manager in developing, implementing and monitoring individual program plans designed to improve the social and self care skills of program participants. Works with the Program Manager to address staff issues and/or concerns. Reports program participant issues and/or concerns to the Program Manager. Participates as needed in the operation of a 24 hour, seven day per week on-call system. Assists the Program Manager with monitoring staff performance and adherence to standards through direct observation, review of documentation and periodic written evaluations, develops individual performance plans with the employees and completes routine performance evaluations. Assists the Program Manager to ensure program participant files are maintained in accordance with Agency policies and procedures with regard to sequence and order of information, access, confidentiality and content. Develops and maintains a positive, constructive rapport with program participants, staff, families and communities. Helps program participants with developmental disabilities evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Attends and participates in scheduled staff development activities and Agency committees. Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS (Education and/or Experience/Physical Demands/Other Skills and Abilities)
Education and/or Experience: Associates degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university plus a minimum of 1 year direct care experience in the human services field; or High School diploma or GED plus 2 years experience in the human services field, or a minimum of 1 year supervisory experience plus 1 year of experience in the human services field.

Step By Step is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. At Step By Step, we are committed to and value an inclusive and diverse workforce and we believe that diversity and inclusion among our workforce is critical to our success. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and staff without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, political affiliation, parental status and any other characteristics or protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. All employment decisions are based upon qualifications, merit, and business necessity.