Lifeworks: Autism Services

Salary and Benefits:

The salary range for this position starts at $24 - $28 per hour depending on relevant education, experience, and licensure

At Lifeworks, we prioritize our employees and their wellbeing. We provide competitive benefit options to our employees and their families, including domestic partners and pets. 

Our offerings include:

• Comprehensive health and Rx plans, including a zero-cost option
• Wellness program including free preventative care
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• 50% tuition reduction at Case Western Reserve University for the MSW program
• Defined benefit pension plan
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Pet insurance
• Employer paid life insurance and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Support for continuing education and credential renewal
• Ancillary benefits including: dental, vision, voluntary life, short term disability, hospital indemnity, accident, critical illness
• Flexible Spending Account for Health and Dependent Care

Qualifications:

• Education:  Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in related field (Special Education, Psychology, Speech and Language Pathology, etc.). Master’s degree preferred.
• Licensure: Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst or Ohio Licensed Teacher preferred.
• Skills:
  • Advanced knowledge of autism spectrum disorders, child and adolescent development, human sexuality, family dysfunction, psychology, sociology and behavior theory.
  • Openness to multi-disciplinary and eclectic approaches to treatment.
  • Client Safety: Provides proactive oversight over client safety and comprehends basic components of environmental management.
  • Interpersonal Communication: Communicates clearly using verbal, nonverbal, and written skills in a professional context; demonstrates clear understanding and use of professional language.
  • Collaboration and Teamwork: Functions effectively as a member of a professional team that includes employees, clients and family members.
  • Technical Proficiency: Demonstrate competence in utilizing Agency computer systems and software as required to perform essential job functions.
  • Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understands key characteristics of Autism Spectrum disorder and applies knowledge when engaging, prompting, and supervising clients.
  • Service Delivery: Comprehends basic client behavior functions, accurately collects client-related data, and demonstrates application of client goals via ISPs and client programming.
  • Cultural Competency: Demonstrates awareness, sensitivity and skills in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups and communities who represent various cultural and personal background and characteristics.                  
  • Medication Administration: Provides the administration of medication to clients as scheduled and follows proper medication administration procedures to reduce medication errors.
  • Other: Preferred that individuals possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and driving record that meets the underwriting criteria of the Agency’s insurance company. Must be approved by Lifeworks to transport clients in own vehicle

Agency Summary:

Lifeworks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that individuals with autism lead healthy and enriched lives by providing essential clinical services across the lifespan. Founded in 2013, Lifeworks provides residential, vocational, and educational opportunities for adults throughout Northeast Ohio with a diagnosis of autism. Among its array of services, the agency offers behavioral health and Applied Behavior Analytic services for individuals of all ages who are on the spectrum.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Day and Vocational Services is a management position within the division of day and vocational services that works under the direct supervision of the Director and is responsible for all aspects of the program’s operations, with a charge to create and implement innovative programming and supports for adults with autism. The Assistant Director is responsible for program development and building and retaining exceptional staff that are equipped with expertise and resources necessary to deliver services that are firmly rooted in the methods and philosophy of the Applied Behavior Analysis and Safety Care Crisis Management, amongst other evidenced based practices. The Assistant Director is jointly responsible for program compliance with accreditation and state regulations. The Assistant Director will have responsibilities related to case management, programmatic oversight and interdepartmental/interagency liaising.

Responsibilities Include:

• Provide oversight of supports, interventions, and provision of client safety and well-being.
• Coordinate service provision by the Autism and Mental Health Technicians.
• Through collaboration with the Clinical Coordinator and Assistant Clinical Coordinators, provide clinical oversight of ISPs, BSPs, assessment, intervention, data collection and aspects of delegated nursing that do not fall squarely on trained and licensed professionals.
• Provide education and training to staff in prescriptive plans and best practices in working with adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders including, but not limited to, functional living skills, communication, social skill development and community integration that are based within ISP outcomes and objectives.
• Provide administrative oversight to ensure that the program and staff operate in accordance with established rules and regulations for the Agency and all involved governing bodies.
• Responsible for compliance with all rules, regulations and accreditation standards related to adult day support and vocational habilitation.
• Oversee day-to-day programming.
• Provide oversight for development of program materials and visual supports.
• Supervise, set and achieve performance goals with the program staff.
• Facilitate and chair team meetings.
• Foster open communication with local boards of developmental disabilities, residential service providers and family members of the clients.
• Responsible for organization of daily activities and routines to optimize treatment and client learning.
• Manage the building space to ensure all programmatic materials are available, age appropriate and reflect client interest.
• Provide for the safety of clients and staff.
• Properly handle emergencies such as injuries and acting out situations.
• Aid in the management and modeling of socially acceptable alternatives to negative and destructive behavior.
• Role model pro social, mediation and self-management skills.
• Create and develop of trusting, positive relationships among consumers and staff in the facility.
• Initiate and facilitate all necessary communication with members of the team.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of data and records through the timely completion of assigned documentation in accordance with applicable licensing and accreditation regulations and standards.
• Provide case management and case coordination for consumers in the areas of vocation, functional daily living skills, community integration, communication, social skills and general wellness.
• Assure the safety and well-being of each individual while promoting independence and respecting each individual’s choices, needs and rights.
• All required trainings, certifications and licensure must be kept current in accordance with applicable licensing and accreditation regulations and standards.
• Respect the privacy of consumers and hold in confidence all information obtained during the client’s treatment. All client-related documents should be handled in accordance with Agency guidelines on confidential material.
• Maintain high standards of ethical and professional conduct and adhere to Agency policies and procedures.
• Maintain sensitivity to the racial, cultural and developmental backgrounds of the individual consumers and the group as a whole.
• Attend scheduled supervision and ongoing training.
• Run and/or coordinate necessary staff meetings and mandatory trainings.
• Prepare supplemental teaching materials.
• Prepare for and attend consumer meetings.
• Experience working with individuals with autism.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.