Program Supervisor for DDS Population - Mental Health Association - Western MA

The Mental Health Association is hiring for a Program Supervisor. The Program Supervisor will provide leadership and support to residential staff to empower participants in achieving optimal independence and community integration. Support staff with a strength based approach that fosters growth and opportunity. Lead by modeling interactions with participants that focus on strength and skill building through person-centered planning. Train, support and guide staff in the performance of their duties.  Ensure coordination and delivery of services and support to a designated program by observing interactions in the milieu, evaluating various program documentation, soliciting feedback and assessing data compiled from reports. Maintain compliance with Federal, State, and Mental Health Association policies and regulations.

Position’s Essential Functions:

Supervisory

1.  Directly supervise, educate, and develop autonomy in a team of residential support specialists individually and in groups through training, modeling, and open discussion in compliance with all MHA, Federal and State policies, procedures and regulations.

2. Assist staff in processing challenges to engage residents in attending to basic daily needs as well as monitoring physical well-being of residents to ensure delivery of services and modeling positive engagement techniques for staff.

3.  Support staff through supervision meetings in accordance with policy standards and regular staff meetings. Monitor attendance at staff meetings to ensure compliance with policy standards and following up with staff who are not meeting standard. Document meeting content.

4.  Provide daily supervision, training, and feedback to staff.  Manages corrective action and performance evaluation processes for all program staff.

5. Ensure communication is streamlined through the program to support all staff in having necessary information to effectively perform their job responsibilities.

Administrative

6. Monitor all documentation for program including but not limited to contact notes, medication administration documentation, daily logs, tracking sheets, and Individual Support Plans to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards.  Prepare and maintain program reports as required.  Purge, archive, and update records to ensure information is current. 

7. When applicable, collect and deliver rent and charges for care in a timely manner.

8.  Respond promptly to any and all medical and psychiatric emergencies.  Notify supervisor promptly within specified time limit.

9. Ensure smooth and timely communication between all disciplines involved with supporting a participant (i.e. MHA nursing and independent nursing services, DDS, day programs, MHA’s Clinical Director, families, guardians, hospitals, primary care, and psychiatrists).  

10.  Ensure program timesheets are accurate and complete; approve and submit along with coversheets within established timelines.

11. Complete monthly program report to senior leadership, employment data, absence authorizations, vacancy data, Residential Inspection, etc.  Review and address reports generated by other departments such as MAP audits, training, performance reviews, expenditure reports, etc.

12.  Participate in an on-call rotation. Promptly respond to calls, advise staff accordingly and document.  Keep program information current in the on-call book.

13. Notify a director or Vice President of critical incidents within prescribed timelines.

14.  Ensure programs are adequately staffed through scheduling and hiring processes, working closely with Human Resources to fill vacancies in a timely way. 

15.  Manage program budget in accordance with MHA fiscal guidelines.  Ensure program is adhering to MHA’s money management protocols for agency and participant funds, including accurate and consistent money counts on each shift, submission of receipts, and use of the tax exempt certificate when purchasing with agency funds.

Participant Support, Advocacy, and Health and Wellbeing

16.  Manage staff in the accomplishment of their participant support, advocacy, and health/wellbeing responsibilities.  During interactions with participants, model high quality support in all of these areas:

a.       Engage, educate and assist participants to access community-based resources, including educational and training opportunities

b.       Empower participants by teaching self-advocacy skills.

c.       Act as a liaison with hospitals, clinics, medical personnel, family members, day programs, and other providers.

d.       Support participants in activities of daily living (ADLs), including physical assistance if necessary.

e.       Support participants in money-management training.

f.        Involve participants in household tasks necessary to maintain their home. 

g.       Provide transportation to participants, as needed, to accomplish goals.

h.       Assist participant with coordinating, scheduling and attending medical, dental and psychiatric appointments.

i.         Support each participant to manage triggers to avoid behavioral incident or crisis situation.

j.         Report any incidents of participant abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) or act of omission/neglect to agency management, the Disabled Person’s Protection Commission DPPC, or elder abuse hotline, as applicable.

k.       Monitor medications and /or health issues with program nurse and document progress and follow-through accordingly.  Administer medications in accordance with MAP standards and guidelines. 

l.         Ensure that participants receive annual training in human rights and fire safety

Teamwork, Communications, Cooperation, and Continuous Learning

17.  Regularly attend and actively participate in Division meetings, supervision meetings and/or other scheduled meetings. 

18. Pursue additional activities and training to enhance job knowledge and competency which afford opportunities for professional growth.  Attend mandatory trainings, and maintain required certifications.

19.  Maintain and foster a collaborative and cooperative atmosphere with colleagues and supervisor with participant needs as the priority. Maintain positive attitude with team and participants.

20.  Use constructive supervisor feedback to grow and enhance professional skills.

Safety

21.  Maintain a safe workplace environment by identifying and addressing any safety hazards/issues, reporting all employee accidents to Human Resources and participant accidents to immediate supervisor, and following established MHA safety policies and procedures.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage time, prioritize tasks, take initiative, follow through, and work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Good oral, written, computer, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to the changing needs of the program participants.
• Strong interpersonal skills, patience, caring, and compassion.
• Must be able to pass and maintain certifications in medication administration (MAP), CPR, and first aid.
• Must have ability to facilitate and develop a supportive community in a diverse, multi-cultural residential setting.
• Valid driver’s license, sufficient automobile insurance, acceptable driving record, and a safe reliable vehicle during working hours.
• Must be at least twenty-one years old.

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.  College degree in human services or relevant field strongly preferred.
• Requires at least two years of applicable experience.  Experience working with individuals with developmental/ intellectual, emotional/mental health or physical disabilities or brain injury preferred.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (403B, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Long Term Disability