PROGRAM SPECIALIST chez Apis Services, Inc.

Program Specialist

The Program Specialist position is responsible for supporting the health, safety, and growth of the individuals in the program, including ISPs, medical requirements, programmatic concerns, individual finances and incident reporting as well as adhering to funder regulations. The Program Specialist oversees the quality of programmatic, health and facilitative services by ensuring that the needs of individuals served are met and necessary services and supports are provided.

• Ensures that HIPPA regulations are complied with and that all paperwork and required documentation is completed in a timely, thorough, accurate manner as per regulations.
• Ensures incident reports are complete, accurate and timely with corrective action taken when necessary Input all reportable incidents and follow-up into EIM.
• Participates in audits and ensures all license requirements of the program participant are met and services meet funder and community standards.
• Maintains client files that include medical records and annual assessments and Individual Support Plans, as well as any supporting documents as per applicable regulations.
• Develops and maintains a catalog of community resources/activities and coordinates all communication for the consumers with individuals, family members, day programs, Behavior Consultants, SC's and other outside entities, such as the Social Security Administration, Medical Insurance Companies, etc.
• Checks Medicaid eligibility and notifies the Director of any issues that could affect funding and billing.  Coordinates and distributes all consumer financial matters such as SSI, food stamps, rep-payeeship, burial accounts, taxes, SSA Monthly Wage Reports, Room and Board contracts, renewal of annual stipends etc. with Fadmin.

Staff Support:

 Trains, supervises, and oversees direct care staff and/or Independent Contractors on the individual support plans as well as mentor them in day-to-day implementation and documentation.

Client Support

• Creates an environment that empowers individuals through the development of skills and coordination of resources and supportive services.
• Ensures that all consumers' medical, dental, psychiatric, and psychological services are scheduled in accordance with regulations and doctor recommendations.
• Advocate for consumers with input from program management and consumer's team to identify service needs and goals, to ensure that such goals are accurately documented in the ISP; and to monitor ISP progress.
• Write instructional plans for the implementation strategies of goals, objectives, and outcomes to implement consumer long and short-term goals and train all staff in the implementation of ISPs annually
• May assist with opening new homes and transitioning consumers into and out of the program.  Respond appropriately to crisis situations by notifying the appropriate persons, completing/submitting incident reports.
• Report any medical concerns to the unit leadership and/or agency nurse immediately.
• Manage, monitor, and reconcile all site and consumer-related expenditures as required.
• Oversee the upkeep and safety of the physical site reporting needed repairs, upkeep and conditions to the Program Director.
• Monitor and ensure the timely completion of all site documentation (logs, medications, inventories, incident reports, assessments, progress notes, etc.) and communicate issues and/or problems directly to Program Director.
• Assist with managing and tracking training requirements for staff per state/funder regulations to ensure compliance.
• All other duties as assigned

ADHERE TO AND FOLLOW

• The By-Laws of the Corporation and as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation

Job Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree or above from an accredited college or university (Special Education desired) and 1 year of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism; or  Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and 2 years of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism; or
• Associate's degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university and 4 years of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism; or
• High School diploma and 6 years of work experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism.

Job Competencies

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with fund raising databases, preferred
• Willingness to maintain a minimum of 24 hrs of in-service trainings per calendar year  Highly driven, results-oriented work ethic