Service Coordinator
Reports to:
Service Manager
Staff reporting to position:
House leaders, Community
Support Workers
Job purpose
The Service Coordinator is typically responsible for the management and oversight of
a group of residential homes for people with disabilities.
These homes are usually part of a larger district or service area that is under the direction of a
Service Manager, to whom the Service Coordinator reports.
Service Coordinators are primarily managers. They have a direct responsibility for the staff that work
in the homes and are therefore accountable to ensure that the needs of people who live in or are supported
by the home are met through the actions of the staff.
They will also need to keep staff and operating costs within budget and ensure that the homes and other
resources are satisfactorily maintained.
Service Coordinators frequently provide a degree of clinical oversight.
While they are not employed as clinicians, they are required to monitor the health, lifestyle, and
behavioural outcomes for people supported by Spectrum Care, and will work with other health professionals
to ensure responsive services that are individualised and of a high quality.
Together with the House Leader they will provide coaching for their staff and may also contribute to the
provision of training and to policy development.
As line managers with direct responsibility for staff and for the coordination of services, the actions
of the Service Coordinator will ultimately assist Spectrum Care in the achievement of the Vision, Mission and
Values which are:
Vision:
People with disabilities living great lives
Mission: To create the opportunity for the best possible quality of life and choice for people with disabilities
Values: Person-centred, Innovation, Commitment and Passion, Partnership, Excellence
Principal accountabilities
Recruit and develop staff to provide individualised services and support
- Recruitment processes are implemented effectively and according to policy
- New staff are supported to complete the induction process and existing staff, including House Leaders,
receive ongoing feedback and coaching
- Training needs are met to ensure the development of skills, and the safety of both staff and the people they
support. Staff attendance at training is compliant with organisational policy
- Staff are briefed on all relevant policies
Professional registration
- Staff covered by the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA) are recruited and
managed in accordance with Spectrums policy on the HPCA, including ensuring that all staff (including the
Service Coordinator) required by the organisation to have and maintain registration and practicing certificates
under the HPCA, have supplied accurate and current registration details (held by the HR department)
- Ensure that any staff covered by the HPCA only operate within the appropriate scope of practice for their
role and applicable registration, ie Comprehensive Nursing, or General and Obstetric Nursing, or General
Nursing, or Psychopaedic Nursing, or Psychologist, or Occupational Therapist
- Notify the relevant authority (eg Nursing Council) if a registered health practitioner is dismissed or
resigns for reasons of competence or performance, or there is reason to believe that the health practitioner is
unable to perform the functions required for the practice of his/her profession because of some mental or
physical condition
Motivate staff to maintain high levels of performance, committment and passion
- Constructive relationships with and between staff are encouraged
- Performance appraisals of all staff are carried out regularly and in accordance with policy.
Where there are performance deficiencies, these are followed up using a formal, documented process of
performance management
- In conjunction with the Service Manager, allegations of misconduct are investigated promptly following the
standard organisational process
- Positive recognition and incentives for good performance and innovation are provided
- Regular staff meetings and other communication forums within the home ensure that all staff are kept
informed of relevant issues
- The safety of staff is optimised through the implementation of an OSH program that identifies, reports and
minimises hazards
- Timesheets, leave applications and other staff documentation are timely and accurate
Direct and oversee the health and safety of people with disabilities
Work with staff in the homes to ensure that:
- A comprehensive, up-to-date health or ‘Wellness’ plan is provided for all people who receive services
from Spectrum Care
- Consultation with health professionals such as General Practitioners, as well as direct care staff, ensures
that medication is prescribed and administered appropriately
- All other health cares, including special dietary needs, required and received by people supported by
Spectrum Care are monitored and documentation completed
- Behavioural needs are identified and, where appropriate, behaviour management strategies are prepared with
the assistance of a behavioural specialist. Strategies are reviewed regularly with the behavioural specialist and
their recommendations are implemented within the agreed timeframe
- The conduct of staff is monitored to ensure that behaviour management practices are consistent with the
documented strategy and with organisational policy
- Measures are put in place to ensure the prevention, detection, and reporting of abuse and neglect of
people with disabilities who are receiving services from Spectrum Care
- Fire and other disaster/emergency response programmes are implemented
- Staffing levels are maintained to ensure safe practices at all times within cost effective levels
Promote an environment in which people are supported to develop great lives
Work with staff in the homes to ensure that:
- Service provision is person-centred, demonstrating efforts to empower people with disabilities by
consulting with them on issues of relevance and resolving any grievances promptly
- An individual lifestyle plan is prepared with each person who receives services and is reviewed regularly.
The plan, which is built around Personal Outcome measures chosen by or with the individual, takes account of
their cultural, spiritual, and social needs and provides support for education/skills acquisition in order to
enhance their independence. A major focus of each plan will include opportunities for increased community
participation and integration
- The lifestyle development objectives are supported by daily/weekly activity plans. Diaries and other
documentation demonstrate continuing efforts to develop great lives
- Close monitoring of financial transactions and inventories ensures that the personal possessions of service
users are maintained and that purchases made by staff are appropriate
- The home environment is clean and comfortable. Furnishings are age-appropriate and reflect the choice and
participation of the people who live there
- The home, vehicle, and other equipment is periodically assessed and/or maintained to ensure that they are
safe for service users, and that they continue to be appropriate for their needs
Develop partnerships with family and whanau, and with internal and external service providers
Work with staff in the homes to ensure that:
- Family and whanau are encouraged to remain involved with their family member who is receiving services
from Spectrum Care
- Advocates and/or legal guardians are sought for all for all people receiving services
- Relationships are established with immediate neighbours whereby they are kept informed of relevant issues
without compromising confidentiality
- Community linkages are established to ensure people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate
in, and become part of, their community, including regular use of community facilities
- Works cooperatively with internal service providers such as the Community Support Team and vocational
services to ensure the best possible quality of care
- Maintains constructive working relationships with all external organisations that may have input into the
wellbeing and quality of life of people with disabilities
- Mental Health agencies
- NASC agencies
- School and vocational organisations
General household and district responsibilities which promote the organisation's committment to
quality services as well as efficiency
- The house finances, including staffing costs, are managed efficiently to ensure they remain within budget
- All required documentation is completed in a timely and accurate manner
- Ensures that all homes have a Quality Plan and fosters an environment in which staff contribute quality
improvement initiatives
- Participates in district/organisational auditing programmes and quality improvement forums
- Fulfils the requirements as defined in the Ministry of Health Service Specifications
- Identified areas for improvement are actioned within the agreed timeframe
- Participates in district/organisational On-Call arrangements.
Minimum appointment criteria
- Full, current, class 1 drivers licence essential. Must be able to drive a manual car and/or van
- Satisfactory criminal and traffic infringements record
Formal qualification/education level
Diploma or Bachelors in Human Services, or a Bachelors-level qualification in a relevant area such as health,
teaching, psychology, social work or management.
Work experience
Significant previous experience in providing support to people with disabilities. Experience managing people
and resources would also be a major advantage.
Values-based competencies
- Person-centred. Has a genuine desire to work with and support people with an intellectual disability
and is committed to the provision of individualised services and support
- Commitment and Passion. Highly motivated and energetic. Takes a high level of personal responsibility,
relishes a challenge and remains enthusiastic despite setbacks
- Innovation. Embraces change and contributes new ideas
- Excellence. Constantly strives to be the best. Goal oriented, seeking opportunities to improve personal
and team performance
- Partnership. Readily shares knowledge and skill. Possesses the interpersonal skills to create rapport and
work effectively with other individuals and groups to achieve objectives
Role-specific competencies
- Good practical and theoretical knowledge regarding disabilities
- Able to recognise the signs and symptoms of illness/poor health and liaise effectively with other health
professionals
- Able to collect behavioural records, assess the function of a behaviour and apply techniques for managing
behaviour in a non-aversive manner
- Basic knowledge of the health system and of the role and function of community services and facilities
- Familiarity with the legislation governing employment, safe workplaces, and the care of people with
disabilities
- Leadership skills. Models desirable organisational traits and motivates others to do the same
- Staff management skills, including the ability to set and monitor clear performance objectives
- Can communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including skills in such areas as coaching,
direct-dealing, counselling, mediation and conflict resolution, and group facilitation
- Interpersonal skills to create rapport and develop effective partnerships
- Self-organisation and time management skills to plan ahead, set priorities, meet deadlines and attend to
detail
- Budget management skills, including the ability to keep records and monitor financial performance indicators
against objectives
- Report-writing and presentation skills, including word processing, so that information is presented clearly
and in a meaningful manner
Email: jobs@spectrumcare.org.nz
Download current vacancies: Job Board – August 2009
Download an Employment Application Form
Job descriptions
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