Rehabilitation Teacher III

Job Description:
Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.
The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state.

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as (k) and Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you

Rehabilitation Teacher III performs highly complex (senior-level) rehabilitation planning and instructional work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a State Supported Living Center (SSLC). Works with an interdisciplinary team (IDT) to identify individuals' habilitation or rehabilitation needs, providing the necessary instruction in teaching daily living skills, in order to assist individuals in attaining their optimum levels of independent living. Has day-to-day oversight of other staff in carrying out habilitation programs/skills acquisition plans (SAPs) that are designed and ensures that the skills for training staff are adequate to perform their duties successfully. Provides appropriate training for assigned individuals as identified by the IDT and monitors training programs and documentation. Ensures individual safety. The Rehabilitation Teacher III has no financial responsibility but is accountable for assigned property. Works under limited supervision of a Behavior Analyst or Program Supervisor, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Performs highly complex rehabilitation therapy activities for planning and instructional work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a State Supported Living Center (SSLC), Monday through Friday from 8 to 5, in order to provide scheduled and structured programming in the areas of education, vocation and independent living, socialization and recreation, for teaching improved skills to individuals to optimum levels of independent living. Implementation opportunities include holiday, evening and weekend hours, as scheduled, in order to provide active treatment for individuals.

Conducts, in collaboration with other staff, programs and activities to prepare individuals for successful reentry into a community setting and/or maximized independence in the current setting, which includes development of lesson content based on appropriate instructional strategies, producing training aids, manuals and return demonstration of skills learned, and documenting progress.

Monitoring individuals in training programs and documenting individuals' response to training at least once each month. Analyzes, reviews, revises and makes recommendations to the IDT and individual upon admission, and during scheduled IDT meetings, regarding the established Rehabilitation Services structured programming that would be appropriate to meet the needs and personal goals of each individual served, for inclusion in the individual support plan.

Documents the individuals’ participation and progress in their programming in the electronic medical records system in order to help the IDT in determining effectiveness of assigned programming in meeting goals. Reviews monthly progress notes and makes comments as required on noted improvements, regressions, or items significant to individual training.

Recognizes and responds to de-escalate agitation and aggression. Responds effectively in crisis situations using verbal de-escalation and the application of Ukeru and Safe Use of Restraints (SUR) to ensure the health and safety of all persons. Communicates effectively with other team members to ensure a culture that promotes the least restrictive interventions necessary.

Provides information through various methods of communication, such as verbal reports, computers and written reports regarding status of job tasks and programming to the supervisor, as needed, and attends ISP/ISP-A meetings to discuss pertinent information.

Escorts and transports individuals to activities, classes, and events and trips into the community to exhibit demonstration of skills learned in education a interventions, in order to provide education, social interaction, and participation in programs conducted outside the home, when requested.

Maintains work area in order to provide a safe, clean treatment environment for programs, activities and classes. Actively promotes safety through the continuous monitoring of the environment and active engagement of individuals, to minimize unsafe situations and injuries.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and ICF/IID standards.
Knowledge of cultural preferences and age specific interests.
Knowledge of documentation in an electronic medical record system.
Skill in education/training and active treatment methods, tools, techniques, and processes.
Skill in solving problems, making decisions, and using good judgment when dealing with critical incidents.
Ability to assess clients’ functional levels.
Ability to plan, implement, supervise and evaluate an individualized program of instruction with, or on behalf of, the client.
Ability to communicate effectively, with the ability to direct and instruct.
Ability to work independently, to work cooperatively in a teamwork situation, and to work harmoniously in general with co-workers.
Ability to demonstrate flexibility and willingness to accept additional responsibility as the need arises.
Physical ability to visually monitor training programs for appropriateness of training, and to visually inspect training areas for safety and cleanliness.
Ability to communicate effectively with staff and individuals.
Strength and flexibility to safely perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and restraint techniques, once trained.

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