Support Planner

Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living (SMCIL)

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: SUPPORTS PLANNER I

EXEMPT/NONEXEMPT: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Director of Operations

APPROVED BY: Executive Director

SUMMARY:

The Supports Planner I is accountable for providing high-quality Supports Planning Services to consumers, in accordance with SMCIL policies and procedures, IL philosophy, and the requirements of both funding sources and regulators.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide Supports Planning (SP) services to consumers referred by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH).
• Drive to consumers’ homes (including nursing facilities) to interview consumers and assess their need for services and supports.
• Support the consumer’s ability to choose service providers and self-direct the services they receive, to the extent applicable.
• Use the MDH LTSS database system to develop a Plan of Service (POS) in accordance with MDH regulations to support consumers who are leaving nursing facilities or who need supports to maintain their independence in the community.
• Obtain all required signatures on the POS from the consumer (or representative) and service providers.
• Learn and follow all applicable policies and procedures for SP services and POS development/management, as established by MDH.
• Comply with timelines and mandates specified by MDH.
• Make face-to-face or phone contact with consumers on a monthly basis. Have face-to-face contact with consumers on a quarterly basis, and document in LTSS that contact was made.
• Refer consumers to appropriate services, as specified in the POS. Follow-up with consumers and service providers to ensure that services and supports are being provided as per the POS.
• Display sensitivity to the consumer’s ethnic, religious, racial, and disability-related culture, and to the consumer’s general living environment.
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings with the consumer, family members or concerned others, and service providers.
• Meet regularly with the Deputy Executive Director (DED) or designee to discuss consumers’ needs and receive direction on work activities
• Provide rotating on-call coverage for emergency response to consumers
• Provide backup coverage for other SPs when they are on leave
• Attend required SMCIL and SPA Program staff meetings
• Attend orientation and ongoing in-service trainings
• Follow all SMCIL policies and procedures

Assigned Responsibilities or Duties:

• Becoming familiar with all aspects of SMCIL’s programs and services.
• Work as a team member to assure that consumers receive quality services
• Ability to travel, including remote rural areas, to all parts of SMCIL’s catchment area.
• Other assigned duties

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

Will work with assigned committees of the Board of Directors, and the Program or Advisory Committees. Coordinate information between committee members and volunteers. Participate in SMCIL’s Strategic Planning Process as required.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge and experience in interviewing skills and techniques for individuals with disabilities. Experience in consumer choice, satisfaction, connectedness and safety. Knowledge of Independent Living Skills, Self Determination, Assistive Technology, Augmentative Communication, Mobility, and issues of accessibility and disabilities. Computer skills: knowledge of Microsoft Office and basic e-mail and internet, and general office equipment. Knowledge of SMCIL’s geographic service area and resources is a plus. Qualified individuals with disabilities are eligible to apply.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Education: Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college in the human services field: Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Nursing, Counseling, or a related field, with coursework pertaining to older adults and/or to adults with disabilities. A minimum of 3 years of personal and/or professional experience with people who have disabilities. Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work independently. Ability to take initiative and consistently exercise good judgment.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. A second language not required, however Spanish fluency and/or American Sign Language a plus. Ability to communicate with individuals with a broad spectrum of disabilities. Able to receive and provide instruction utilizing reading materials, writing exercises and computer skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Valid driver’s license, Reliable transportation to geographic area served by SMCIL, including remote rural locations and satellite sites.

• Sufficient vision to read small print;
• Sufficient hearing to hear in-person and telephone conversations;
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice and with sufficient volume to be heard at a normal conversational distance and on the telephone;
• Sufficient dexterity to print or write legibly, operate telephone, use computer keyboard, peripheral computer hardware and testing devices;
• Sufficient physical ability, strength, mobility and stamina to drive a vehicle;
• Sufficient lower body strength, stamina and mobility to stand, kneel, walk, stoop and bend legs for intermittent periods of time;
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. without assistance;
• Sufficient physical ability when driving a vehicle to sit for extended periods of time;
• Sufficient physical ability to reach horizontally and vertically with arms.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Office, car, other environments to include nursing facilities and consumer homes. Able to appropriately respond to emergency situations, deadlines, and situational environmental stresses (staff-consumer contact). Able to work well as part of a group, and alone. Able to manage multiple tasks, excellent organizational skills.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.00 - $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person