Para Professional

Summary:

The Paraprofessional is part of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) team which provides beneficiaries with support programs and care to enhance their quality of life. PSR is an intensive community-based rehabilitation team service that focuses on skill and resource development related to life in the community and to increasing the participant’s ability to live as independently as possible, to manage their illness and their lives with as little professional intervention as possible, and to participate in community opportunities related to functional, social, educational and vocational goals. The paraprofessional will provide services in accordance with NCAC 27G.1200 and Clinical Coverage policy 8A. This position will support the vision, mission and purpose of SEIC

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Interacts effectively and respectfully with consumers in their home and community;
• Supports and promotes the relationships with family and friends while maintaining a family culture within the home and community; increases use of natural supports to facilitate stabilization in the community;
• Supports and promotes friendly and effective working relationships with community partners which may include but is not limited to Social Workers, Instructors/Coaches, Day Program Staff, Court Personnel etc.;
• Provides interventions that address the functional problems associated with complex or complicated conditions related to mental illness. These interventions are strength-based and focused on promoting recovery, symptom stability, increased coping skills and achievement of the highest level of functioning in the community. The focus of interventions is the individualized goals related to addressing the beneficiary’s daily living, fiscal management and personal development; developing strategies and supportive interventions that will maintain stability; assisting beneficiaries to increase social support skills that ameliorate life stresses resulting from the beneficiary’s mental illness.
• Supports and promotes community-based opportunities according to consumer preferences;
• Contributes in a positive manner at team meetings and special/social events;
• Avails self of additional relevant training according to personal interests and/or manager recommendations;
• Assists with the orientation and training of new staff to ensure competent, confident employees thus ensuring the health, safety and comfort for the individuals we support;
• Providing psychoeducation as indicated in the Person-Centered Plan;
• Assisting with crisis interventions (provide crisis interventions to deescalate the current crisis);
• Assisting consumers in attending professional appointments, life skills, independence, and rehabilitation as necessary according to the Person-Centered Plan;
• Ensuring linkage to community services and resources;
• Assisting the Team Leader/ Program Director with behavioral and substance abuse interventions;
• Assisting with the development of relapse prevention and disease management strategies;
• Participating in the initial development, implementation, and ongoing revision of the Person-Centered Plan;
• Communicating the recipient’s progress and the effectiveness of the strategies and interventions to the Team Leader/Program Director as outlined in the Person-Centered Plan;
• Organizing and participating in recreational/social activities with beneficiaries based on their preferences;
• Maintaining records and charting service notes on each individual and reporting unusual and critical incidents in a professional, timely manner (within 24 hours) and in accordance with clinical coverage policy.
• Familiarization with medications used by the client and polices regarding medication administration;
• Accurately documents all billable encounters into Southeastern Integrated Care’s EMR (electronic medical record) system within 24 hours. Any corrections will be entered within 24 hours of being notified.
• Other duties assigned by the Team Leader/Program Director or Clinical Director that relate to achieving performance goals;

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not oversee staff.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience

• Minimum one year experience supporting adult individuals with behavioral or mental health challenges and/or substance abuse issues;
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent;

Required Skills/Abilities

• Ability to write clearly and legibly;
• Schedule flexibility to meet the needs of beneficiaries;
• Knowledge of Behavior Management techniques, Substance Abuse counseling/support, and Recreation Leadership;
• Ability to provide guidance and training of life skills;
• Ability to implement Individualized Treatment Plans and monitor progress towards goals;
• Ability to interact effectively including oral and written communications;
• A pleasant, positive nurturing personality who identifies the importance of the essence of home and enhancement of life;

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Copy of a valid, unrestricted NC Drivers license, proof of insurance;

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work is performed primarily in the client’s home and in the community and may involve exposure to cigarette smoke, domestic animals/pets, household pests, uncomfortable heating/cooling, and other issues related to the domestic location in which service is delivered.  

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk and hear; and taste and smell. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to drive and operate a personal vehicle safely and adhere to all applicable state and traffic laws.