Direct Care Staff

General Description of Duties andResponsibilities:

Direct Care Staff are responsiblefor maintaining a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment which fostersgrowth and rehabilitation and facilitates the development of mutual aid/selfhelp skills among individuals. Staff’s primary role is to provide theappropriate supports tailored to the needs and desires of each individual to be able each to live as independently as possible. Direct Care Staff areexpected to recognize when an individual is in a crisis and be able to utilizethe appropriate psychiatric and medical back up services.

Specific Duties:

• Assist/monitor/teach individuals with preparation of daytime activities; encourage good personal hygiene, and behavior appropriate in their home or apartment.
• Assist Direct Care Supervisor in the assessment of each individuals(s) abilities, interests and need areas toward independent living. Assist Direct Care Supervisor in the development of each ISP. Staff behavior and interaction with individuals shall be directed towards the attainment of goals set forth within each ISP.
• Assist/monitor/teach individuals(s) in budgeting skills.
• Teach self medication skills according to DMR regulations, and when appropriate supervise in medication administration.
• Assist/monitor/teach individuals engaging in daily chores.
• Assist/monitor/teach individuals as needed in grocery shopping, menu planning, meal preparation and clean up.
• Meet with individuals (as needed) on an individual basis to discuss concerns, problems.
• Assist/monitor/teach individuals in holding house meetings and informal discussion groups with peers.
• Handle emergency situations appropriately, (according to MHA policies). Utilize crisis interventions when necessary.
• Teach and/or support individuals in utilizing public transportation. Transport individuals to appropriate appointments only when necessary (i.e. person requires assistance at appointment).
• Perform daily record keeping (i.e. data collection, daily logs). Exchange information with next shift and/or with support staff.
• Teach and be supportive of basic nutrition. Assist individuals to utilize community resources from nutritional counseling.
• Teach relationship building skills.
• Teach community integration; assist individuals in joining community organizations of their choice.
• Teach problem solving skills/resolving conflicts.
• Provide leisure/recreational activities of individual(s) choice, increase individual’s self initiative in leisure activities.
• Teach/monitor individuals self management skills (in health and behavior management).
• Teach individuals basic first aid, fire safety, emergency skills and sex education, and/or assist individual in locating a class (community resource) in the above stated items.

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• Provide opportunities for individuals to have choices, make decisions in daily living and their future goals (i.e. assist individual in day to day decisions).
• Assist in creating natural supports for individuals.
• Assist individuals in building their self esteem.
• .Encourage empowerment.
• Follow individual treatment plans consistently.
• Conduct and document monthly fire drills according to DMR procedures.
• Report any consumer (individual) abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) or act of omission to the Disabled Person’s Protection Commission.
• Be available to meet with repair person(s) and inspectors.
• Attend individual and inter-agency staff meetings related to individuals.
• Attend training.
• Implement OSHA regulations.
• Lifting, snow shoveling and climbing stairs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Direct Care Staff play a critical role in the overall success of Mentalretardation Residential Services. As “natural role models”, Direct Care Staffmust have the following personal qualifications:

• Autonomy – ability to work without immediate supervision.
• Interpersonal sensitivity (objective awareness of others, tactful interaction, ease in establishing limits).
• Reliability
• Flexibility
• Insight and the ability to articulate it.
• Good judgment, including the ability to evaluate, make decisions, and anticipate consequences.
• Initiative and motivation to learn.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to drive a van (Employees Only).
• Crisis intervention training (i.e. PAC, SOLVE, etc)
• CPR, First Aid certificates are a plus.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Night shift
• On call
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15 - $18