Job Information
YAI Therapeutic Director in Westchester County, New York
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Under the direction of Director – START, the Therapeutic Director oversees and directs all operations and daily
programing of the START/CSIDD Resource Center ensuring fidelity to the START model and compliance with
programmatic requirements. Ensures timely and complete data collection by Resource Center staff and appropriate
documentation of assessments and activities, including daily progress and behavioral progress reports. Works closely
with the START director, team leader(s) and clinical director to ensure guests’ needs are met and to provide feedback
on guests’ progress at the Resource Center to inform clinical and therapeutic plans and goals.
Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities
Oversees the milieu and therapeutic programming of the START Resource Center including the planning and implementation of structured therapeutic programming and therapeutic groups, assigning duties and ensuring the appropriate, documented level of supervision to protect the health and/or safety of guests.
Coordinates with START coordinators regarding admissions and discharges, receiving and sharing information regarding supports, communicating updates and assisting, as needed.
Provides administrative supervision and oversight of Resource Center assistant supervisors and counselors, regularly directing program operations and therapeutic interventions, assessing needs and team performance.
Maintains appropriate 24/7 staffing and coverage for the Resource Center, actively participating in the hiring process, selecting qualified staff and scheduling staff accordingly.
Facilitates hands-on training in leading therapeutic activities for staff, ensuring that all staff are appropriately observed, trained and materials are available as needed.
Tracks trainings, certifications and other credentialing for all Resource Center staff to maintain compliance with applicable requirements.
Ensures that the Resource Center team meets benchmarks identified by START for conducting appropriate number of designated activities on a monthly and daily basis, including community trainings and leading at least one therapeutic group per day.
Provides and/or supervises direct care to guests including assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) as necessary.
Assists counselors with facilitating accomplishment of guests’ goals and objectives, regularly providing feedback and supporting successful therapeutic interventions.
Ensures and assists with data collection, appropriately documenting progress and reports participation in and benefit of therapeutic activities for guests.
Provides de-escalation and intervention supports for guests experiencing stress and assists staff with implementing effective techniques, redirecting and/or prompting guests, as needed.
Communicates with the START clinical team regarding guest responses to interventions and shares information regarding behaviors, signs, symptoms, setting events, triggers and reports effective interventions.
Convenes and facilitates recurring staff meetings to share information regarding admissions, discharges and/or updates with Resource Center staff and/or clinical team.
Serves as a member of the START leadership team, working closely with the START Director, team leader(s) and Clinical Director to provide information and updates regarding Resource Center operations, guest progress, success of interventions and related therapeutic information.
Ensures timely, accurate and complete documentation by Resource Center staff by reviewing and approving daily notes and ensuring goals are entered accordingly in appropriate system(s).
Maintains contact with families and providers upon admission to the center to share information and updates or communicate progress.
Develops discharge plans for all guests utilizing emergency center services in close collaboration with the Clinical Director.
Utilizes daily notes and data collected to develop discharge summaries for guests in collaboration with coordinators, clinical and medical directors and Resource Center staff.
Attends YAI, NCSS leadership, and other START leadership, clinical team and program operation meetings and/or trainings as required or requested.
Provides on-call support to Resource Center staff including answering calls, questions and securing coverage as needed; reports to Resource Center to assist with significant issues, if required.
Performs all other duties, as assigned.
Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g., lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)
Master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human service field, or related field; and
At least three (3) years of experience in a residential setting and/or working in behavioral crisis intervention with individuals with cooccurring diagnoses in the I/DD field, including or supplemented by at least one (1) year of residential supervisory experience; or
Satisfactory combination of education, experience and/or training.
Must hold or obtain START Coordinator Certification within 12 months of appointment.
Ability to regularly respond to calls and programmatic needs beyond regular work hours to support Resource Center.
Ability to travel to other regions within state of operations and/or to other states as needed for meetings, NCSS events or as requested.
Exceptional interpersonal, problem solving and communication skills.
Willingness to take initiative.
Ability to work in a stressful environment and to support team with behavioral/mental health crises as they occur.
Ability to meet essential physical demands of position, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; assisting with lifting/moving individuals of any weight with or without assistance of equipment and/or other staff; lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds on occasion; having the physical capacity to work with and implement emergency interventions as per the person’s Individual Behavior Support Plan and Individual Emergency Intervention Plan, if/as needed.
Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)
Current START Coordinator Certification
Knowledge of START/CSIDD and/or OPWDD rules, regulations and requirements.
Compensation:
$80,000.00
If you share our vision and want to help support people to live the fullest lives possible, YAI will be the right place for you .
For more information about the YAI Network, please visit our website at www.yai.org . Equal Opportunity Employer .
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Our Roots:
YAI was launched in February of 1957 out of a small school in Brooklyn, New York. Initially staffed by Co-Founders Bert MacLeech and Pearl Maze MacLeech alone, their pilot program served just seven people. According to Bert, from its very beginning YAI has been dedicated to providing innovative services for the I/DD (intellectual and/or developmental disabilities) community. MacLeech envisioned a, “total life adjustment approach, emphasizing personal growth, social responsibility, employment goals, and the development of independence for the individual.” At a time when institutional living was the norm for people with I/DD, this vision was nothing short of revolutionary.
YAI Today:
Today, YAI has a team of over 4,000 employees and supports over 20,000 people in the I/DD community. This extraordinary growth shows the ongoing need for these important services, and YAI’s success in offering them. YAI supports people with autism, Down syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy, among others. Operating throughout Downstate New York and Northern New Jersey, YAI now offers more than 300 programs for people of all ages.
Better Together:
At YAI, we are driven by our mission of living, loving, working, and learning. This applies not only to the people we support, but to our staff as well. Commitment and passion for the work continue to unite employees and drive the organization forward. Empowering the people we support to reach their goals remains at the heart of our organization.
http://www.yai.org/