JOB SUMMARY:
This position facilitates communication for the Deaf program participant with individuals that the consumer comes in contact with and wished to communicate with, in order to promote independence, community inclusion, and personal growth for participants.
DEAF COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST DUTIES:
- 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 into 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.
Qualifications:
Associate’s Degree in Human Services or other related field.
Two (2) years of experience in the mental health or human services setting.
Skills and Competencies Requirements
- Fluent in American Sign Language (ASL).
- Maintain yearly CPR and First Aid certification training.
- Active SCIP-R training certification with yearly refresher classes.
- 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 conflict.
- 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 program participant using minimal sign language (MSL).
- Ability to tolerate individuals and activities from various cultural backgrounds.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $20.00 per hour
Application Question(s):
- Are you currently certified in SCIP-R (Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Revised)? If not, do you have experience implementing behavioral management plans?
- How do you handle situations where a consumer's preferred method of communication differs from what is standard (e.g., using notes, gestures, or specific technology)?
- How do you ensure you are maintaining a "helper model" that promotes autonomy rather than creating dependence?
- When facilitating a conversation between a hearing person and a Deaf person, where should you position yourself, and where should your eye contact be directed
- Do you hold an Associate’s Degree in Human Services or a related field?
- Do you have at least two years of experience working in a mental health or human services setting?
- On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your fluency in American Sign Language (ASL)? Are you comfortable interpreting between ASL and Minimal Sign Language (MSL)?
- Describe a time you facilitated communication between a Deaf individual and a medical professional. How did you ensure the patient understood their treatment plan?
- How do you approach assisting a consumer in building their vocabulary to better communicate their needs with non-sign fluent staff?
- What strategies do you use to promote a sense of inclusion and independence for Deaf participants during recreational or community activities?
- This role requires detailed shift reports and timely communication with supervisors regarding work environment concerns. Can you describe your experience with professional documentation?
Work Location: In person
