Description

About the Program

We support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a variety of community-based living options as they pursue independence, live with dignity, and engage as full members of their communities. In a world that is not equally optimized for everyone’s success, we believe every person is entitled to receive resources, supports, and opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. 

HopeWell’s adult programs support individuals toward leading happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives, whether they are living with a caregiver in a high-quality Shared Living placement, or independently in the community while receiving In Home Support services. Staff develop partnerships with individuals and caregivers centered around individuals’ needs and interests that evolve as they age. 

Who We Are Looking For

HopeWell's growing home and community-based adult programs are seeking a passionate change-maker to join our dedicated team. We're looking for an exceptional Clinician who brings heart, determination, and a strengths-based approach to supporting individuals and the Shared Living team.  

The ideal candidate demonstrates sound judgement, has excellent communication skills, and excels at promoting Positive Behavior Supports in home and community-based settings. This insightful and skilled Clinician possesses a versatile skill set in assessing an individual’s complex and evolving needs, and in ensuring those needs are addressed with well-designed and effectively implemented medication treatment and positive behavioral plans. If you're ready to make a profound impact and help, write success stories for the individuals we support, we want to meet you.

 The Impact You'll Create

In this dynamic role, you’ll guide a growing Adult Services Team toward a comprehensive implementation of Positive Behavior Supports. You will ensure that individuals are fully supported with medication treatment and positive behavioral plans that are grounded in data and best meet their needs, and that individuals, their caregivers, and staff are well-trained on the plans. You'll be at the forefront of promoting meaningful connections and implementing best practices and innovative interventions that lead to lasting positive outcomes.  

The Clinician is a member of the Shared Living and In Home Supports teams, collaborating internally with the Director, the Nurse Manager, the Shared Living Supervisor, and other team members. Close external collaboration occurs with all funding sources and stakeholders, including but not limited to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the Office of Quality Enhancement, guardians and family members, medical & clinical providers (psychiatrists, clinicians, therapist, etc.), and other provider agencies supporting the individual. The Clinician is responsible for ensuring individual safety, well-being, and human rights, in accordance with all HopeWell and DDS regulations, policies, and procedures, including licensure and certification indicators.

Requirements

Your Impact Will Include 

• Comprehensively integrate a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and person-centered approach into the practices and documentation of the Shared Living and In Home Supports programs. This includes providing training and ongoing coaching, as well as developing and implementing infrastructure and systems so that staff, caregivers, and individuals understand how to implement this approach and have the tools and skills to do so effectively.
• Assess individuals’ needs and develop and implement medication treatment and positive behavior support plans to meet their needs. This includes writing plans, training caregivers, individuals, and staff on the plans, modeling intervention techniques, collecting and assessing data related to the plans, and modifying the plans as needed.
• Collaborate with Shared Living and In Home Supports staff to connect individuals to behavior, therapeutic, and other relevant external services.
• Build strong, positive relationships with individuals and caregivers, treat them with dignity and respect in accordance with HopeWell’s Human Rights policy, and in a way that supports individuals’ development and growth.
• Conduct referral assessments to determine psychiatric, functional, behavior, and cultural support needs, and collaborate with Director and other staff to determine if identified needs can be met by HopeWell programs.
• Provide on-call coverage and crisis management that ensures individuals’ well-being. When appropriate, notify and consult with Director, DDS, caregivers, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure that the program meets and complies with all applicable DDS regulations, policies, and procedures.  Oversee compliance of caregivers specified in the licensure & certification indicator guidelines.
• Actively participate in program and agency internal (e.g., supervision, collaborating with colleagues, caregiver & staff meetings, town halls) and external meetings (e.g. collaborating with other providers, external committee meetings) both in person and virtually as assigned.
   

The Expertise We Can't Do Without 

• Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Social Work or related field required.
• Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst, Licensed Menta Health Counselor, or otherwise meet the licensure requirements of a PBS Qualified Clinician found in 115 CMR 5.14(10)(a).
• Minimum of three years of training, including post graduate class work or formal training, and/or experience in function based behavior assessment and treatment.
• Minimum of three years of clinical experience in the treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Minimum of five-years’ experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, preferably in a home or community-based setting.
   

Additional Skills That Set You Apart 

Excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and strong organizational and time management skills; demonstrated ability to be flexible, resourceful, and juggle multiple tasks and priorities

• A high level of professionalism in work and interpersonal interactions with both internal and external contacts; presents to others as organized, informed, reliable, dependable and approachable
• Able to work independently as well as a member of a multidisciplinary team; collaborative and open-minded; welcomes constructive feedback
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations
• Computer skills to perform essential functions
  Strong interpersonal skills; ability to build rapport and trusting relationships with individuals and caregivers and other professionals
• High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work and demonstrated ability to effectively organize, plan, and prioritize work; desire to learn and grow professionally and comfortable asking questions
• Must be comfortable working in community settings (e.g. caregiver homes, in the community, at other provider agencies such as day and employment programs).
• Empathy and desire to work with adults with developmental disabilities.
   

Other Essential Requirements

This role involves some home-based and community-based work, some office-based work, and some remote opportunities. During home and community visits there are possible environmental exposures including pets.

• Daily access to an automobile is required.
• Driving is required in and out of the catchment area.
• A valid MA State Driver’s License.
• Clearing of background checks as required by state and federal law.
• Remain current in all required trainings.
• Staff schedules can shift over time as individual and caregiver needs, staff caseloads, and program needs change.
• Some evening and weekend work as well as occasional in person emergency response outside of business hours may be required.
• Other duties as assigned to support quality care.
   

Physical Requirements and Working Environment

• Position requires the ability to perform community-based work in various settings including individuals’ homes and public spaces
• Must be physically capable of conducting safety assessments, which may include using stepladders or similar equipment to check household safety features
• Required to accompany and observe individuals in community settings to evaluate independence skills and readiness
• Must be able to navigate diverse environments including individual’s home, day and employment programs, and public spaces in the community while providing services, which may involve walking up and down multiple flights of stairs or significant distances in the community
• Ability to stand, walk, and remain mobile for extended periods during community-based assessments and interventions
• Work involves both indoor and outdoor environments in varying weather conditions
  Regular travel between service locations required