Deaf Communication Specialist
I. JOB SUMMARY
This position facilitates communication for the Deaf program participant with individuals that the consumer comes is contacted with and wished to communicate with, in order to promote independence, community inclusion, and personal growth for participants.
II. DUTIES
Essential Function Duty
Promotes an environment where the consumer feels a sense of inclusion and integration into the community.
Facilitates language enhancement and assists the consumers to build a solid vocabulary base so that the consumers can communicate their needs, desires, and thoughts with non-sign fluent staff and other individuals they may choose to communicate with.
Assists consumers to communicate with medical professionals in order to increase understanding of treatments, procedures, and compliance with medical orders and recommendations.
Facilitates and provides support for consumers chosen recreational activities, in order to promote independent participation and full integration and inclusion in the community.
Assists with communication to facilitate community inclusion and promote a sense of community among the consumer’s peers, and other individuals the consumer chooses to interact with.
Completes shift reports and email the report to an assigned list of supervisors at the completion of each shift.
Brings concerns about work environment or the consumer to the supervisor in a timely manner and non-threatening manner, by way of email or other communication separate from shift reports.
Performs Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Revised (SCIP-R) as detailed within the consumers' behavioral management plan (if indicated).
Works in cooperation with the DDSO state staff to ensure that the consumers’ needs are met.
Performs other duties as assigned.
III. SUPERVISION
This position does not have any regular responsibility for the work of others.
IV. TECHNOLOGY/ EQUIPMENT/ TOOLS
DCS iPhone Basic
Videophone Basic
V. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
VI. WORK ENVIRONMENT
This role requires being capable of performing home care duties such as (but not limited to) bending, lifting, assisting with personal care, consumer transfers, housekeeping, laundry, and shopping.
VII. Qualifications
Education Requirements
Associate’s Degree in Human Services or other related fields. Experience may be substituted on a year-to-year basis
Experience Requirements
Two (2) years of experience in the mental health or human services setting
Skills and Competencies Requirements
Fluent in American Sign Language (ASL)
Possess a basic understanding of individuals with developmental disabilities
Ability to comprehend and communicate through written dialogue
Ability to get along with individuals of all backgrounds
Ability to be flexible and be able to handle unknown situations
Ability to negotiate conflicts
Ability to facilitate communication between individuals with no knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL) and be able to translate the meaning of this communication to the consumers using minimal sing language (MSL)
Ability to tolerate individuals and activities from various cultural backgrounds