Direct Care Specialist

Overview

Direct Care Specialist at The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD
. The Direct Care Specialist coordinates and provides services for individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disorders. Duties include chart documentation, implementing the daily program schedule, and communicating consumer status/progress to the treatment team. This role monitors and assesses consumer behavior, prepares treatment plans, teaches consumer social and behavior management skills, coordinates field trips or other day activities, and facilitates groups focused on adaptive replacement behavior and other topics based on consumer needs.

Transports consumers to activities as necessary. This position may require flexible hours and travel.

• Facilitates and provides group training in communication, social, and independent living skills, and adaptive replacement behaviors. Implements behavior therapy programs and behavior support strategies under the direction of the psychologist.
• Coordinates consumer training, field trips, and other activities.
• Monitors consumers during self-administration of medication in accordance with the unit dosage system.
• Completes ongoing functional assessments (e.g., ABC analysis/data collection).
• Monitors, documents, and maintains records of consumer activities and progress.
• Transports consumers when necessary.
• Communicates information about consumer progress to the treatment team and participates in interdisciplinary team planning to assist with treatment plan formulation and implementation.
• Complies with all safety and health requirements and regulations in accordance with applicable standards (e.g., DADS, MHMRA, State licensing boards, programs, etc.).
• Protects confidential information and sensitive data regarding consumers and employees in the Agency at all times.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education
:
What qualifications you will need:
High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).

Experience
:
Must have two (2) years related experience and be able to transport consumers in Agency or personal vehicle.

Other Key Qualifications
:
Must possess valid Texas driver’s license & be insurable under Agency policy; must be able to interact effectively within the organization; must have strong communication and problem-solving skills.

The Harris Center offers a competitive salary and a suite of benefits designed to enrich your professional and personal life. Benefits include a robust retirement plan with company matching, prior service credit with accelerated Paid Time Off accrual, cell phone discounts, exclusive entertainment deals via Tickets at Work, a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness, and an Employee Assistance Program. Eligible employees may have access to student loan forgiveness programs.

This posting is associated with position #9248.

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority serving Harris County, Texas. It is the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, serving over 90,000 people with an annual budget of over $300 million. The center provides a full continuum of services at 80 sites across Harris County, in more than 40 languages (including sign language).

With more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting behavioral health and IDD needs and helping residents reach their full potential.