ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: - RCIL

Independent Living Specialist
Targeted Case Manager
REPORTS TO:
LOCATION:
STATUS:
DIRECTOR OF INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES AND ASSISTS
/TCM TEAM MANAGER
OSAGE CITY/SATELLITE OFFICES
NON-EXEMPT
GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION
The Independent Living Specialist is responsible for advocating and delivering
the core services of independent living including independent living skills training,
peer counseling, information and referral services, individual and systems
advocacy, and deinstitutionalization. The Targeted Case Manager is responsible
for determining functional eligibility for the HCBS PD Waiver and developing
plans of care that are cost effective and meet the consumers’ health, safety, and
welfare needs. The position also requires knowledge of disability issues, the
independent living philosophy, and the HCBS Waivers available in the state of
Kansas. This position shall focus his/her work complimentary to the spirit and
intent of the independent living philosophy.
INDEPENDENT LIVING SPECIALIST - ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
• Identify, coordinate, and deliver the five core services of independent
living to consumers and communities including individual and systems
advocacy, information and referral services, peer counseling,
independent living skills training, and deinstitutionalization.
• Identify and coordinate existing services that will assist individuals with
disabilities in enhancing their goal of independent living.
• Work with consumers referred by the State of Kansas Vocational
Rehabilitation program.
• Act in the capacity of Peer Specialist Coordinator in the recruitment,
training, and supervision of Peer Specialists.
• Assist and advocate for the development of new programs/services for
persons with disabilities to enhance independent living and consumer
choice.

• Develop independent living plans that will meet the consumer’s needs
and goals with identified tasks using the Self-Determination Process; or
develop independent living plan waivers.
• Inform consumers of available programs and services and assist in
referrals to other agencies/community partners that will assist the
consumer in meeting his/her goal of independent living.
• Meet with consumers in their own homes, at designated offices, and
by phone as needed to ensure continued consumer satisfaction and
progress towards independent living plan goals.
• Ensure that consumers have full and unbiased access to a variety of
services and service providers to meet their specific needs.
• Develop and maintain an expertise level in the area of Employment,
Housing, Transportation, Americans with Disability Act, or specialty
area as identified.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including the consumer
file, Davis documentation, and electronic documentation.
• Provide information and educate individuals, organizations, businesses,
and municipalities regarding disability and accessibility issues.
• Provide outreach and education utilizing the self-determination
philosophy that promotes people first language, individual choice and
responsibility, self-advocacy and programs available to persons with
disabilities.
• Provide education regarding disability through workshops,
presentations, community fairs, and seminars.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of the Resource Library
in all RCIL offices.
TARGETED CASE MANAGER - ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
• Serve as a point of access for Medicaid services.
• Determine functional eligibility for the HCBS PD Waiver by completing
the assessment process.
• Develop the consumers’ plan of care and update as needed
• Ensure that the consumers’ plans of care are cost effective and meet
their basic health, safety, and welfare needs.
• Ensure that consumers have full and unbiased access to a variety of
services and service providers to meet their specific needs.
• Advocate for consumers by arranging for services with individuals,
businesses, and agencies for the best available service within limited
resources.
• Provide accurate and timely documentation, including the consumer
file, Davis documentation, and electronic documentation.
• Conduct home visits and telephone communication with consumers’ in
order to ensure health, safety, and welfare needs or other services
needed.
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• Collaboration with the RCIL, Inc. payroll department and other
providers as needed to ensure accurate and timely reimbursement for
consumer services provided.
• Abide by the policies and procedures as outlined in the SRS HCBS PD
Waiver Policy and Procedure Manual and SRS HCBS Provider Manuals.
OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Abide by KSA 39-1431 regarding reporting of abuse, neglect,
exploitation, and fiduciary abuse to SRS Adult Protective Services.
• Abide by the policies and procedures as outlined in the RCIL, Inc.
Employee Handbook.
• Assist and advocate for the development of new programs/services for
persons with disabilities to enhance independent living and consumer
choice.
• Maintain appropriate, positive, and professional interpersonal
relationships with staff, peers, consumers, volunteers, and other
stakeholders.
• Participate in the external and internal quality assurance process
• Attend and participate in trainings as required.
• Maintain confidentiality of both consumer and RCIL, Inc. information.
• Attend staff meetings and other meetings as required.
• Presentations to community agencies as requested.
• Participate in training new independent living specialists for RCIL, Inc.
as requested.
• Answer phones as needed and assist with general office duties as
needed.
• Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• A personal experience with a disability as recognized by the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973; or experience providing direct services
including case management (working directly with people with a
variety of disabilities); and an understanding of independent living
philosophy with at least 12 hours of standardized training in history
and philosophy of independent living every year provided by an
Independent Living Center of the State Independent Living Council of
Kansas; and completion of a standard practicum which includes “onthe-job”
training of at least four assessments with mentoring provided
by at least two different qualified Independent Living Counselors
already trained and or more assessments completed solely by trainee
with supervision provided by a qualified Independent Living Counselor;
and on an annual basis, demonstrate proficiency about the services,
policies, rules, and procedures of the HCBS PD Waiver program to the
administrators of the program.
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• Completion of the SRS HCBS PD Waiver Independent Living Counselor
On-Line Certification Questions or completion of a previous
Independent Living Counselor Training as provided by SRS.
• An understanding of the Independent Living Philosophy
• Excellent oral communication skills, written communication skills, and
interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• An ability to work productively and independently
• Reliable transportation as travel is a requirement
• Computer knowledge including a working knowledge of Microsoft
Office and the ability to utilize a Microsoft Access database
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Demonstrated knowledge of a range of disabilities
• Bachelor’s degree and/or a demonstrated history in working with
persons with disabilities towards a goal of living independently
• Demonstrated knowledge of services/resources available to individuals
with disabilities.
This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), non-exempt status. The salary is
dependent upon caseload, quantity/quality of work, duration of employment,
experience, and education. Benefits are included and referenced on the
Employee Benefits Summary.
The above declarations are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and
responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of
skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather they are intended only to
describe the general nature of the job. RCIL, Inc. reserves the right to modify,
add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as needed.
I have read and understand the duties outlined in this job description. My
signature indicates my commitment to perform these duties to the best of my
ability and to the satisfaction of the evaluation process to be completed to
measure the duties as outlined.
___________________________________
Staff Member
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Date
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Executive Director
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Date
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