The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recognizes Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with impairments (ICF/IID) as health care facilities that provide 24-hour residential care for adults with developmental impairments. Clients with developmental disabilities who use regional centers can choose from four different ICF/IID options. If you or a loved one are thinking of moving into an ICF, there are certain considerations to make. A universally accepted description of such a location does not exist. While the intended audience may be interpreted differently based on the definition, some features, such as size, are consistent across all of them. The rules and goals are the same. The general public tends to mistake this business for a specialized form of nursing facility.
Want to put your military training to good use? Which line of work would you do if you knew it would provide you with a safe and lucrative future while also allowing you to make a difference in the world? Take the medical field as an illustration. Gainful employment as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at a long-term care facility, such as a nursing home or an assisted living community.
As a veteran, you bring invaluable skills and experiences to the table that would benefit any business. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may help pay for your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training. Find out how to use your VA education funds to train for a career in long-term care as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
The fundamentals of intermediate care settings
Help With The Basics Of Living
Institutions for the Care of the Developmentally Disabled (ICFDD) have staff members whose primary responsibility is to aid residents with all elements of daily living. According to Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), ADLs include but are not limited to: bathing, dressing, using the toilet, and eating.
Treatments and Surgical Procedures
To guarantee the highest quality of care for their patients, the staff of ICFs for the Developmentally Disabled work closely with other medical professionals. In addition to keeping tabs on patients’ vitals and doling out drugs, nurses often provide emotional support throughout treatments including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
Emotional Support
They help with therapies including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and also take residents’ vital signs and record them.
Staff members at ICFs and DDs are there to comfort patients in emotional ways. They provide counseling services, comfort, and companionship to residents who may benefit from them during times of emotional distress or isolation. They also make sure that people have access to healthy social and leisure activities.
Help for Behavioral Problems: Behavior Support
In ICFs for the Developmentally Disabled, staff members learn strategies to aid residents in altering their behavior. Effective behavior support programs may reinforce both desirable and undesirable behaviors.
Convenient Devices
The personnel at the ICFDD may employ assistive technology to help their clients gain more independence and pleasure from their everyday lives. In this area, you may find devices that help with communication, mobility, and other comparable tasks.
Provisioning and Dietary Support
Staff members in ICFDD settings are responsible for providing residents with adequate food and water. Nutritionists and other healthcare professionals work together to develop individualized nutrition regimens for each resident, tailoring them to their specific needs and preferences. As a conclusion, [6] it is important to note that the staff in ICFs for the developmentally impaired provide a wide range of services to their clients. Included in their purview are assisting with ADLs, medical care and treatments, psychological and behavioral support, the use of assistive equipment, and dietary and nutritional assistance. These workers are crucial in ensuring the well-being of those with intellectual disabilities.
Workers in the CFDD Industry and Their Compensation
Professionals in ICFDD might earn anything from $25,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on criteria including the type of position they play, the individual’s degree of experience, and the location of the facility. As of May 2020, the BLS reported a median annual wage of $26,440 for personal care assistants, a group that includes those who work in ICFDDs.
Pay is subject to a variety of variables, including location, amount of education, and years of experience. For example, an ICFDD Administrator may make more than twice as much as a direct care worker or licensed practical nurse at the same institution. Several governments have begun paying above-market rates to alleviate labor shortages and attract capable persons to work in ICFDDs.
As of March 2022, income.com estimates that the median annual salary for an ICFDD Administrator is $106,102. In addition, as of March 2022, the website reports that a CNA’s average annual salary in an ICFDD is $33,775.
How to Get a Job in ICFDD
Veterans need to take a variety of courses and examinations before they can find job in ICFDD. The most crucial ones are discussed here.
1. Get yourself educated and trained first.
Employees at ICFDD are expected to have completed high school or have the equivalent knowledge. Some healthcare jobs require only a high school diploma, while others are more specialized and require at least an associate’s degree. Apprenticeship programs, two-year colleges, and four-year universities all offer the education and training necessary for a career in ICFDD. They can attend colleges and universities that provide programs leading to careers in nursing, healthcare, social work, and related fields.
2. The second stage is to become certified as a nursing assistant.
A certified nursing assistant credential is typically required for entry-level positions in ICFDD. Veterans can complete a state-approved CNA training and get certified in as little as 4-12 weeks. Graduates of these schools will be able to provide patients with basic nursing care. After completion of the course, students are expected to do well on the state competency exam.
3. Finally, make sure your credentials are in order.
Professionals in the field of ICFDD may need additional certifications in order to practice legally in their native states. Medication administration, first aid, and cardiac resuscitation are just a few of the skills that workers in ICFDD institutions are expected to have. Prospective employees need to research the state’s employment requirements.
4. Obtain the Necessary Authorizations
HISTORY REPORT-
To work in an ICFDD (Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled), one must first pass a background check.
To fulfill this requirement, applicants must utilize an electronic fingerprinting provider that has been approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The Florida Electronic Fingerprinting Service is one of the most often used approved vendors.
Get in touch with your state’s licensing board or regulatory agency for information on its requirements and processes.
OBTAINING PERMISSION TO OPERATE-
Once you have completed the necessary education, you can apply for a license. Only by making a formal request to the appropriate state licensing board or regulatory agency can this be accomplished. You’ll need to submit evidence of your previous education, training, and the results of a background check in order to apply.
GETTING READY FOR THE BIG TEST-
You will be required to take and pass a license exam once your application has been accepted. The test questions will focus on how well you understand the state and federal regulations that govern your work in an ICFDD. You may find sample questions and study aids for the state’s licensure exam there.
OBTAINING AUTHORIZATION-
You can receive your license to work in an ICFDD if you pass the necessary exam. It is important to keep up with changes in licensing rules wherever you operate because state licensing requirements might vary.
Grow Your Network in Your Field
When looking for a job in the ICFDD field, it’s crucial to build one’s professional network. Veterans can benefit greatly from meeting potential employers and industry leaders at job fairs, conferences, and networking events. As an added bonus, members of professional organizations like the National Association of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) have the chance to learn from and collaborate with others in their industry.
By following this route, veterans can join the workforce at the ICFDD and give essential support to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Typical Services Provided by ICFs and DDSs
Working with persons who have developmental disabilities presents a wide range of challenges for those who work at ICFDDs (Intermediate Care Facilities for Developmentally Disabled Persons). These initiatives support those who are disabled to become as independent as possible and reach their full potential. Common services provided by ICFDDs include:
Cleaning and Maintenance:
Staff at ICFDDs give assistance with daily tasks including bathing, grooming, dressing, and use the restroom, same as CNAs do in nursing homes. They could also be useful for things like eating, walking, and repositioning.
Medical Support:
Support workers in ICFs for the disabled work closely with medical staff to ensure that all residents receive the necessary medical attention. Medication management, vitals monitoring, and emergency medical assistance are all examples of this sort of service.
Behavioral Support:
Problematic conduct is often the result of difficulties in communication and sensory processing for persons with developmental disabilities. Staff members at ICFDDs undergo intensive training in a wide range of strategies for supporting the behavioural needs of persons with disabilities. These include the use of behaviour plans, positive reinforcement techniques, and sensory integration therapy.
Life Skills Training
ICFDDs strive to teach disabled persons the skills they need to be as self-sufficient as possible. Staff at ICFDDs help people learn life skills like cooking, cleaning, and budgeting to achieve this goal. They may also provide help finding work and becoming trained for new careers.
Professionals in ICFDDs play a crucial role in assisting people with disabilities to achieve independence and participate fully in society. They help persons with disabilities participate fully in society and realize their full potential through a number of different initiatives.
Get Your [Professional] Degree Using Your VA Benefits.
To improve their employability in the ICFDD sector, veterans can take use of the VA’s extensive educational benefits. We’ve included detailed explanations of these benefits and references to further reading below.
- New Veterans Helping Veterans Act In the wake of 9/11: This benefit pays for a veteran’s education costs, including tuition, lodging, and books, if the veteran served on or after September 11, 2001. Eligible veterans may use this benefit to enhance their education and get a healthcare-related licensure or certification.
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program: This program offers disabled veterans the opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to secure gainful employment following a service-related injury. This program offers services such as career counseling, technical training, and job placement assistance.
- In order to qualify for benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, veterans must have served on or before September 10, 2001. Eligible veterans can use this benefit to further their education and pursue a career in the medical field.
- The Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program provides funding for higher education expenses for the children and spouses of veterans who have died or become permanently disabled. Those who meet the requirements might take advantage of this perk to further their education in the medical field.
- Veterans who take advantage of the educational opportunities provided by the VA might find rewarding careers as staff members at ICFDDs, where they can provide much-needed care and support to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Final Thoughts
Last but not least, veterans with a selfless spirit may find rewarding work with the Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled (ICFDD). Following the advice in this article, veterans may become competent and valuable contributors to the ICFDD workforce by acquiring the necessary education and skills, obtaining the appropriate licenses and certifications, and building a professional network.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several educational benefits to veterans, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program. Working in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (ICFDD) may be meaningful and fulfilling for veterans who want to make a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities.
