Lead Program Specialist

Overview

Join a Team That Changes Lives

For more than 170 years, Elwyn has been leading the way in supporting children, teens, and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. As a mission-driven nonprofit, we’re here to create real change – helping people lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.

Now, we’re looking for passionate team members to join us. Here, your work will change lives – including your own. You’ll make an impact every day, find purpose in what you do, and grow in a career that truly matters.

At Elwyn, we take care of you while you care for others. We offer:

Generous Paid Time Off

Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Benefit Packages

Earned Wage Access/On-Demand Pay

Paid On-the-Job Training

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Advancement Opportunities and Growth

Flexible Schedules

Retirement Savings Plan

Join us and be a part of something bigger. Apply today.

Job Description

Elwyn seeks a Lead Program Specialist (Lead PS) to ensure that the services provided in the Community Residential Services (CRS) program adhere to applicable regulations and that the services meet the needs of the individuals and are provided according to the Individual Support Plan (ISP). The Lead Program Specialist completes required documentation, assesses individual needs, coordinates, and secures services, provides training to staff and individuals, attends and leads meetings, and communicates effectively with all team members to ensure continuous development and monitoring of programming and services to people on their caseload.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Locate, implement, coordinate, and monitor services provided to identified individuals supported through the special team meetings (STMs) which involves disciplines including, but not limited to, Health Services (nursing), Quality Improvement (QI), and support coordination, through their quarterly review process

Complete a full assessment no later than sixty (60) days after admission and annually (within 365 days of admission to the residence) thereafter with the following components included in the assessment:

Functional strengths and needs

Likes, dislikes, and interests

Level of performance and progress in functional skills

Communication

Personal adjustment with peers, community, and staff

Meeting personal needs activities (eating, hygiene, etc.)

Supervision needs at home and in the community

Self-administration of medications

Use of poisonous materials

Danger of heat sources

Ability to evacuate in a fire

Functional, medical disabilities

Lifetime medical history

Most recent psychological/psychiatric evaluation

Recommended trainings, programming, and services

Progress and growth in the areas of health, motor and communication, residential living, personal adjustment, socialization, recreation, financial independence, managing property, integration into the community, and water safety, including swimming ability

Update the assessment annually with all changes for the individual including but not limited to medical, behavior, financial and psychological changes and distribute the updated assessment information to all team members in need, including a Supports Coordinator (SC), to ensure accuracy and for the development of the ISP

Ensure that an accurate Social Emotional Environmental Needs Plan (SEEP) is created for each individual who receives/requires psychotropic medications, who has a diagnosis of mental health disorder, or who otherwise is in need of a plan of support. The SEEP:

Must include a written protocol to address the needs of an individual with a diagnosed psychiatric illness

Must identify the supports, services, and actions needed to adequately address the target behavior triggers of the individual’s diagnosed psychiatric illness successfully managed by psychotropic medication

Must address any specific supports or services an individual needs to successfully manage his/her symptoms and participate in daily activities as part of everyday life

Ensure and/or supervise the coordination of all aspects of the assigned individual’s finances, including but not limited to ensuring the individuals remain within eligibility limits, completing annual financial literacy assessments and ensuring access to funds to allow for purchase and enjoyment of activities, complying with all benefit eligibility regulations as outlined in the individual’s finance policy

Ensure that the information in the ISP is accurate and reflects the services and supports delivered by the provider; making and retaining documentation of all communication with the SC regarding any changes that must be made to the ISP, including changes to outcomes based on a need or revision to the assessment, and ensure that the ISP is implemented as written

Ensure medical appointments are in compliance as outlined by the Office of Developmental Program (ODP) 6400 regulations and/or recommended by the physician including, but not limited, to ensuring that the appointments are scheduled, attended, and documented appropriately

In collaboration with the Director of Case Management, monitor and provide supervision of assigned PSs in the areas of recruitment and selection, leadership, coaching/counseling, training and professional development, performance management, ongoing survey readiness, promotion, corrective action, and termination

Complete Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST) for assigned individuals on a yearly basis or intermittently as support needs change to ensure proper funding for support and service delivery

Complete quarterly reviews according to Annual Review Update (ARU) dates and ensure appropriate team members receive the report to ensure compliance with regulations and all team member receive necessary updated information related to the client’s progress or lack thereof

Participate in the on-call rotation of assigned POD

Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human services related field of study AND two (2) years of experience working directly with individuals with intellectual disabilities OR Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human services related field of study AND one (1) year experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities

Two (2) years of experience as a Program Specialist or other comparable case management role

Previous supervisory experience preferred

Previous experience working within and managing a unionized workforce preferred

Knowledge of PA ODP 6100 and 6400 regulations preferred

Intermediate experience with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel applications; knowledge of Electronic Health Record preferred

Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team

Demonstrated strong attention to detail

Demonstrated strong time management and organizational skills

Demonstrated excellent judgment with the ability to independently solve problems and make decisions with little or no need for direct supervision

Demonstrated ability to anticipate future needed changes or identify problem areas and take effective actions

Must possess a current, valid driver's license in state of residence, have a minimum of two (2) years of driving experience within the United States, and have an acceptable driving record

Equal Opportunity Employer

Elwyn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Elwyn does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, pregnancy status, medical condition, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, handicap status, marital or family status, mental or physical disability, perceived disability, military or veteran status, political activities or affiliations, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

ELW 20842

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at ADArequest@elwyn.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal

Elwyn seeks a Lead Program Specialist (Lead PS) to ensure that the services provided in the Community Residential Services (CRS) program adhere to applicable regulations and that the services meet the needs of the individuals and are provided according to the Individual Support Plan (ISP). The Lead Program Specialist completes required documentation, assesses individual needs, coordinates, and secures services, provides training to staff and individuals, attends and leads meetings, and communicates effectively with all team members to ensure continuous development and monitoring of programming and services to people on their caseload.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Locate, implement, coordinate, and monitor services provided to identified individuals supported through the special team meetings (STMs) which involves disciplines including, but not limited to, Health Services (nursing), Quality Improvement (QI), and support coordination, through their quarterly review process

Complete a full assessment no later than sixty (60) days after admission and annually (within 365 days of admission to the residence) thereafter with the following components included in the assessment:

Functional strengths and needs

Likes, dislikes, and interests

Level of performance and progress in functional skills

Communication

Personal adjustment with peers, community, and staff

Meeting personal needs activities (eating, hygiene, etc.)

Supervision needs at home and in the community

Self-administration of medications

Use of poisonous materials

Danger of heat sources

Ability to evacuate in a fire

Functional, medical disabilities

Lifetime medical history

Most recent psychological/psychiatric evaluation

Recommended trainings, programming, and services

Progress and growth in the areas of health, motor and communication, residential living, personal adjustment, socialization, recreation, financial independence, managing property, integration into the community, and water safety, including swimming ability

Update the assessment annually with all changes for the individual including but not limited to medical, behavior, financial and psychological changes and distribute the updated assessment information to all team members in need, including a Supports Coordinator (SC), to ensure accuracy and for the development of the ISP

Ensure that an accurate Social Emotional Environmental Needs Plan (SEEP) is created for each individual who receives/requires psychotropic medications, who has a diagnosis of mental health disorder, or who otherwise is in need of a plan of support. The SEEP:

Must include a written protocol to address the needs of an individual with a diagnosed psychiatric illness

Must identify the supports, services, and actions needed to adequately address the target behavior triggers of the individual’s diagnosed psychiatric illness successfully managed by psychotropic medication

Must address any specific supports or services an individual needs to successfully manage his/her symptoms and participate in daily activities as part of everyday life

Ensure and/or supervise the coordination of all aspects of the assigned individual’s finances, including but not limited to ensuring the individuals remain within eligibility limits, completing annual financial literacy assessments and ensuring access to funds to allow for purchase and enjoyment of activities, complying with all benefit eligibility regulations as outlined in the individual’s finance policy

Ensure that the information in the ISP is accurate and reflects the services and supports delivered by the provider; making and retaining documentation of all communication with the SC regarding any changes that must be made to the ISP, including changes to outcomes based on a need or revision to the assessment, and ensure that the ISP is implemented as written

Ensure medical appointments are in compliance as outlined by the Office of Developmental Program (ODP) 6400 regulations and/or recommended by the physician including, but not limited, to ensuring that the appointments are scheduled, attended, and documented appropriately

In collaboration with the Director of Case Management, monitor and provide supervision of assigned PSs in the areas of recruitment and selection, leadership, coaching/counseling, training and professional development, performance management, ongoing survey readiness, promotion, corrective action, and termination

Complete Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST) for assigned individuals on a yearly basis or intermittently as support needs change to ensure proper funding for support and service delivery

Complete quarterly reviews according to Annual Review Update (ARU) dates and ensure appropriate team members receive the report to ensure compliance with regulations and all team member receive necessary updated information related to the client’s progress or lack thereof

Participate in the on-call rotation of assigned POD

Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human services related field of study AND two (2) years of experience working directly with individuals with intellectual disabilities OR Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human services related field of study AND one (1) year experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities

Two (2) years of experience as a Program Specialist or other comparable case management role

Previous supervisory experience preferred

Previous experience working within and managing a unionized workforce preferred

Knowledge of PA ODP 6100 and 6400 regulations preferred

Intermediate experience with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel applications; knowledge of Electronic Health Record preferred

Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team

Demonstrated strong attention to detail

Demonstrated strong time management and organizational skills

Demonstrated excellent judgment with the ability to independently solve problems and make decisions with little or no need for direct supervision

Demonstrated ability to anticipate future needed changes or identify problem areas and take effective actions

Must possess a current, valid driver's license in state of residence, have a minimum of two (2) years of driving experience within the United States, and have an acceptable driving record