Health Specialist

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Mainstream Living provides services designed to enhance opportunities, create success and fulfill dreams.  The purpose of this position is to provide program oversight in the areas of medication management, physical and mental health and service coordination to persons served at Mainstream Living. The Health Specialist also acts as a program resource and facilitator for the organization, persons served, family and guardians.  All personnel are expected to promote a safe and welcoming, home-like environment that inspires hope and supports members with their individual goals, aspirations and recovery.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Education: High School Diploma or Equivalency/HiSet/GED required, Certified Medication Aide (CMA); Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), (or similar training/education preferred) 

Experience: 5 years health service coordination/experience preferred. Possesses advanced knowledge through a combination of work experience and professional certification or instruction. Knowledge and experience working in behavioral health and/or with persons with intellectual disabilities preferred. 

Driving: This position requires possession of valid Driver’s License, legal driving privileges and ability in the State of Iowa and qualification with Mainstream Living’s underwriter as an insurable driver.   

Other Certification: as required to maintain License (if applicable)

Computer: Computer skills including data entry, Word Processing, Google Docs, and basic spreadsheet skills required.

Post hire: Must demonstrate competencies to complete internal training, including training to pass medication. Completion of medication aide certification within 6 months.

General: All employees must work diligently to incorporate the spirit and intent of the Mainstream Living's mission, vision and values.  This includes respectful communication to all others at all times.  Employees must be able to establish a rapport and develop positive relationships with others while conducting self in line with the Mainstream Living's Code of Ethics.  Employees must also: demonstrate consistent professional conduct and establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with others; take accountability for own work while demonstrating a willingness to accept responsibility and offer constructive recommendations; demonstrate dependability and flexibility when shift times or duties of the day change; apply common sense to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; and ensure that the best interest of the members are a top priority at all times.  

The Health Specialist position requires strong attention to detail and exceptional organization. The individual in the role should excel at clear communication and building rapport through actively listening, and adapting their approach to foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. 

This individual must possess and demonstrate good judgment in crisis situations.  The Health Specialist must be flexible, and able to collaborate with the team to develop strategies and systems that resolve problems with resourcefulness.  Must be able to objectively examine situations and determine appropriate courses of action.  

The Health Specialist must both serve as a role model for members and staff; and act as a role model for the company by maintaining positive and professional relationships with members, guardians, case managers, providers and other stakeholders regarding direct service and specific needs of the member.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is considered an essential health care worker position and in the event of an emergency may be required to work one-on-one with members to ensure their safety. This position will require travel to sites within Polk, Story, and Dallas counties.     

Direct Service Duties: 

• Under the direction of of the Health Coordinator, RN, the position will engage in approximately 10-20 hours per week of direct participation in member care coordination including, but not limited to: 

  • Attend provider appointments

  • Attend interdisciplinary team meetings.

  • Assess and evaluate persons served needs in the area of supervision and safety. 

  • Assure that health needs are being met and direct rehabilitative services are provided to persons served on an ongoing basis. This includes both physical and psychological health.

  • Provide guidance/support in member nutritional needs as outlined in member supervision plan

  • Determine and communicate appropriateness of services for individual needs and refer to other services, as needed.  

  • Collaborate directly with guardians/families and partner agencies/providers as needed. 

  • Serve as an advocate for members (cares/needs/desires) and promote overall well-being in a manner which is satisfactory to the individual and their team and in compliance with agency policy and regulatory standards. 

  • Provide instruction/education to members (as needed/requested) to improve understanding of diagnosis, medications, chronic health conditions, etc. 

Administrative/Support Duties

• Assist in developing, modifying, maintaining, and auditing medication systems (including compliance with applicable policies and regulations pertaining to documentation, administration, etc.).

• Assist in tracking member incidents (major and minor) in order to identify trends, isolate variables, and propose solutions. Prepare reports as needed. 

• Assist in tracking compliance with Corrective Action Plans and applicability to other members and/or programs. 

• Assist in monitoring member sites and living environments to ensure safety. Implement systems to address safety concerns, trends or hazards. Participate in the Safety Committee as needed. 

• Maintain knowledge of Department of Inspection and Appeals rules and regulations in order to provide consultation and assistance to staff and members. 

• Facilitate training to staff (as needed/requested) on areas related to medical/psychological diagnosis, behavior support plans, medications, wellness, safety, etc.  

• Assist in maintaining healthcare/emergency supplies

• Other duties as assigned

 Adherence to Policies and Procedures: 

All employees will adhere to Mainstream Living's policies and procedures including but not limited to:

• Personnel Policies and Policy manuals.

• Attend and work shifts as scheduled.  Adhere to Mainstream Living's Attendance Policies for time off, on-call and attendance to training/staff meetings.

• Follow medication and medical policy and procedures to include: administration, record keeping, identification of medication, purpose, therapeutic intent and adverse reactions, and self-administration of medication.

• Follow documentation procedures to include accurate, honest and timely completion.

• Follow health and safety practices per Mainstream Living's policies including participation in emergency procedures, drills, proper infection control, accident/injury prevention, etc.

• Follow vehicle policies for safe operation of Mainstream Living's vehicles and safe transport of members/others if in driving position. 

• Keep the supervisor informed of critical and non-routine events.  Communication is constructive, effective, and timely.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to enable employees with a disability to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: While performing this job, employees must be able to meet the physical demands required to complete essential functions of this position and meet member needs in their home environment. Employees will be required to lift 15-25 pounds on a frequent basis.  Depending on member needs and in some work locations, employees may be required to assist with ambulation, lifting and transferring of members, generally with the use of adaptive equipment such as gait belts, walkers, wheelchairs, mechanical lifts, etc.  Thus, there may be times the employee must lift up to 50lbs and rarely up to 100lbs if working in sites with members requiring ambulation assistance.  

OSHA CLASSIFICATION

This position is considered a Classification I in regard to jobs in which required tasks routinely involve a potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids, tissues or potential spills or splashes.  Additionally, there is possible exposure to cleaning chemicals.   Use of appropriate measures is required for every health care provider.