SCO SC Lead

SUMMARY

Supports Coordination is a critical service that involves the primary functions of locating, coordinating, and monitoring needed services and supports for eligible participants; diagnosis including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Medical Complexities, and Developmental Delays.  This position is a full-time non-exempt position where the essential job duties and responsibilities are to locate, coordinate and monitor services for consumers, to include incident management, service linkage, crisis intervention and consumer advocacy.  The tasks are carried out within the principles and philosophy of Self-Determination, Positive Approaches, LifeCourse Framework, and Everyday Lives. Works as an interdisciplinary team member.

This position duties and responsibilities align directly with essential support needed to provide delivery of services by the organization within the Supports Coordination program.

This is a professional development opportunity for an employee demonstrating interest and skill in becoming a leader and provides a unique opportunity for qualified individuals.  The unique characteristic of this position is that it will be designated as a Lead Support Coordinator that will function to meet the case management needs of their individual SC team within the department while developing a leadership mind set. This role will function within the assigned team to:

• Maintain a caseload of ½ of typical caseload size of a Supports Coordinator
• Provide mentoring and process/resource expertise regarding Supports Coordinator responsibilities.
• Provide coverage for SC vacancies, planned/unplanned PTO and/or emergencies.
• Maintain excellence in service and performance.
• Complete and maintain all records and other relevant paperwork accurately and promptly.
• Adhere to the philosophies of WCSI as it applies to quality assurance and compliance.
• Works on special projects, as assigned by the program management that will enhance the delivery of services through the SCO.

Primary work hours will be Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a 1/2-hour lunch (37.5 hrs/week). Unless otherwise agreed upon.

Compliance:

As with all WCSI positions, it is the expectation that employees adhere to WCSI, County, State and Federal guidelines, regulation, policies, and laws which govern the business and service of WCSI. 

This position requires the employee to perform their daily job duties and responsibilities in an unstructured work environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Assessment:
This position will assess consumer needs, utilizing assessment tools such as Prioritization of Urgency of Needs for Services, Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) Assessment, and the Lifecourse Framework Tools.  This position will do continual reviews of educational, clinical, and social information submitted to WCSI from outside entities and will document updates within HCSIS.

Individual Support Plan:
The Supports Coordinator develops, prepares, and implements a comprehensive Individual Support Plan which includes outcomes based on consumer needs and desires, provider and team input. Outcomes are strength oriented and all services are linked to an outcome. This comprehensive Individual Support Plan must be completed and updated at least annually.

Regulations:
Locating, Coordinating, and Monitoring services provided by the Supports Coordinator position adhere to Targeted Service Management and Base MR Casemanagement billing and documentation regulations. Learns to adhere to Waiver Regulations that include the Individual Support Plan and Monitoring Requirements are governed by the Office of Developmental Programs.  These regulations are continually updated and hared within the SCO department through verbal, written, and trained communication.

Locating, Coordinating, and Monitoring:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to assessing needs, making necessary referrals for services and for community/generic resources, and monitoring the provision of services and the overall health, safety, and satisfaction of the individuals whom they serve, Lifecourse Framework Principles will be applied. Support Coordinators are expected to provide services to whom they serve within personal homes, community home settings, educational settings, community-based environments.

Home and Community Service Information System (HCSIS):
Support Coordination requires the necessary computer skills in order to successfully navigate the web-based system, to develop the Individual Support Plan including outcome development, and to complete critical revisions and budget information. HCSIS is used to complete necessary monitoring requirements per regulations and enter the monitoring information, document in HCSIS case note format all case activity for a particular individual and update demographic information for each individual.

Advocacy:
Support Coordinators advocate for the consumer to ensure responsiveness from natural, community, generic, and specialized services. Advocacy includes providing information, removing barriers, and creating options for resolving problems.

Documentation:
Support Coordinators maintain records, document contacts with consumers, complete Waiver Packets when funding is identified, and complete paperwork and other program related material in an efficient manner all as required for compliance regulations.  It is expected that this position will consistently maintain service provisions in accordance with the department standard, as established by WCSI.

 Service Provisions:

Maintain expected levels of service to consumers, by producing units through documentation of case activities for billing purposes. Provide supervisor with bi-monthly billing/monitoring of units’ report. Consistently maintain service provisions in accordance with the department standard, as established by WCSI.

Professional/Technical Responsibilities:
The essential purpose of the lead is to support the team in daily operations which may include provision of first level problem solving, technical assistance with process or understanding policy, mentoring, and coaching.  These responsibilities may be met through a combination of shadowing, case specific or team discussion, review of case distribution and coverage needs, etc.  To provide ample opportunity to perform related duties, the incumbent is responsible to carry a designated caseload size while maintaining service provisions.  The role serves as the primary point of contact for peer consultation for other SCs on the team; provide essential coverage and back up to the team if/when needed and works collaboratively with the team supervisor and manager ensuring standardization of expectations and communications and directions consistent with the expectations of the organization and all applicable rules, regulations, and policy.

Other Duties:

This position may be required to perform other duties, as may be assigned by a Supports Coordinator Supervisor or management staff within the department, division, and agency.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities and reports directly to an SC Supervisor; it assumes a leadership position and is required to identify and escalate situations and/or concerns that require the supervisor’s and/or manager’s attention.  The Lead position will have the opportunity to identify area for further learning and improvement for 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 and/or Experience:

Internal Candidate:

Preferred applicant that is presently employed at WCSI in the position of an SCO Supports Coordinator and working in this role for a period of 18 months.

External Candidate:

A bachelor’s degree, which includes or is supplemented by at least 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social science.

OR

Two years’ experience as a County Social Service Aide 3 and two years of college level course work, which include at least 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social service.

OR

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social service* and one year of experience as a County Social Services Aide 3 or similar position performing paraprofessional case management functions.

OR

A combination of 12 college credits in sociology, social work, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social science and two years’ professional experience in developmental disabilities, special education, mental health, counseling psychology, school psychology, social work or health and rehabilitative services.

Language Skills:
Strong Interpersonal skills, effective oral and written communications skills. Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and documentation.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Valid PA Driver’s License, Proof of Valid Auto Insurance, Act 34 (Criminal Record), and Act 33 (Child Abuse) and FBI Clearance. There will be monthly screenings of PA Medicheck List, LEIE and SAM.

Other:

As a requirement of employment, certain personal information (Birth Date, Driver’s License, Diplomas, Transcripts, etc.) can be shared in a confidential communication as related to regulations, licensure and/or insurance carrier contracts.

As with all WCSI positions, this position will adhere to all random drug screening requirements, as set forth by WCSI Policy.

ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL and MENTAL CONDITIONS

Physical/Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to operate a motor vehicle, sit, stand, walk, bend and lift objects of up to 10 pounds. The employee regularly uses a computer, phone, fax, copier and other essential office equipment to carry out daily work assignments.

Substantial problem solving in response to urgent/emergency situations, which may require immediate action.  Ability to apply principles of leadership and management in daily practice.

Work Environment:
The services of this job are community based. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a combination of office and outside/travel conditions and regularly exposed to moderate levels of noise.  Exposure to outside weather conditions will exist.

The work environment for this position requires the employee to have the skills and ability to perform their daily job duties and responsibilities in an unstructured work environment.

Position Funding: 

This position’s funding is determined by WCSI’s allocation process. Incumbent in this position may be required to complete a WCSI Time Study, frequency determined by Fiscal Management, for purposes of this allocation process.

Other: 

This position requires the availability and utilization of the employee’s personal vehicle, for purposes of transportation to and from work appointments.  Transportation of clients in personal vehicles is not permitted, as agency vehicles are available for this purpose.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATION:

It is WCSI’s business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with disabilities.