Support Professional, Residential

Summary: The Arc of Union County Inc. is a leading provider of Person Centered services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through various services and programming. Support Professional, Residential provides a safe, secure, and dependable support and assistance in areas that are necessary for service recipients to achieve full social inclusion, independence, personal and economic well-being as approved by the Individual Service Plan (ISP). The Support Professional, Residential focuses on improving the quality of life of service recipients. Provides transport of service recipients to and from program and to the community during outings in a 6-12 passenger vehicle.

The incumbent implements and facilitates behavioral/habilitation plans, teaches and monitors skills development and provides support and mentoring for all service recipients through a person centered approach.

The incumbent considers the unique characteristics and needs of the individual as expressed by the individual and others who know the person, such as family, friends, service providers, etc. The incumbent ensures that the service recipient is included in problem-solving and decision-making, and that services are provided in a non-intrusive manner.

The incumbent is to maintain a positive, healthy and stimulating environment for service recipients and to assure adequate supervision at all times.

The incumbent reports to the Supervisor, Residential or designee.

This position requires completion of DDD System Mandatory Training Bundle within 90 days of hire, DDD and Agency Orientations, other designated trainings and a minimum of 12 Hours of Professional Development completed annually.

This position requires that information related to service recipient, employee, program operations is handled, channeled, managed and delivered professionally to the appropriate and right personnel or party consistent with agency and department policy.

Skills: This position requires Ability to use Windows software, Ability to use a data entry software such as Therap, Ability to complete Shift and Individual Served ISP Data entry in web based electronic platform. Willing and able to learn all areas of support, service and function outlined above, or some familiarity, knowledge or experience in Social Supports Services/Individuals with developmental disabilities, or Home Health Aide/Nursing Assistant /Private Personal Care experience.Must be able to successfully complete all required trainings and be able to follow directions and complete all assigned responsibilities. Must be able to read, write and speak English. Basic computer and math skills required.

Qualifications: Minimum high school diploma or equivalent. Must be 18 years of age or older. Willing to learn or some familiarity, knowledge or experience in Social Supports Services/Individuals with developmental disabilities. Must have a valid New Jersey driver's license with abstract (not exceeding 5 points), and ability to meet agency insurability requirements. Complete State/Federal Criminal Background checks and Central Registry checks.

Employees who may encounter individuals served shall be subject to and comply with the requirements for random drug testing for controlled dangerous substances. Criminal history record background checks will be conducted at least once every two years for agency's employees. Any employee who is required to undergo a criminal history record background check and refuses to consent to, or cooperate in, the securing of a criminal history record background check shall be immediately removed from the person's position and the person's employment shall be terminated.

The Arc of Union County, Inc. is contracted with the New Jersey Department of Human Services to provide and facilitate essential personal care and health promotion services to individuals with disabilities and other comorbid conditions. As an essential employee, you are required to adhere to your assigned operations work schedule and/or as directed by upper management.

ADA Expectations

This position requires an employee to perform duties in an indoor and or outside setting where exposure to weather elements, dirt, and dust, unpleasant smells, and/or loud noises are possible including occasional temperature fluctuations depending on the climate/season/weather. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: The physical demands for this position must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to maintain a stationary position (standing and sitting), move/traverse, kneel, bend, reach with hands and arms for extended periods of time, twist, carry, lift up to 35 pounds, squat and drive a 6-person passenger van, may require operating manual devices such as hydraulic lifts, wheelchair lifts, vehicle doors, etc. for the purpose of transporting service recipients. Agility with wrist and finger dexterity to access, key and sort electronic information or file documents, ability to view computer and/or electronic device for extended period and other physical duties as directed by your supervisor and/or Director.

Ability to apply Agency Training Crisis Management Verbal and Physical Techniques during a crisis consistent with criteria as trained and in accordance with agency policies and procedure.

The essential Cognitive Functions of this position may include ability to analyze, compute, hear and repeat information, take notes, read documents, generate written information, independently problem solve, tolerate interruptions, maintain positive public relations, organize, verbally communicate and converse with a diverse group of people among others.

The Arc of Union County will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship to The Arc of Union County.

The Arc of Union County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against due to a disability.

Work Environment - The agency offers safety trainings such as Universal Precautions/Infectious diseases, COVID-19 Education and Safety Practices among others to promote a safe environment for all employees and service recipients including visitors. Personal Protective Equipment and necessary supplies such as disinfectants are supplied to all employees free or charge. Each employee is responsible to complete offered trainings and implement the health and safety protocols and mitigation practices consistently.

The agency may assign employees to any duties and to any work site it deems necessary in its sole discretion.

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