POSITION SUMMARY:

The purpose of this position is to provide direct personalized support to ensure supported individuals' safety and health is maintained and they can experience the nature and quality of life of their choice based on their needs, preferences, aspirations, and decisions consistent with program guidelines, policies & procedures. Direct personalized supports include basic living skills, communication, community interaction, and recreation. Additional responsibilities include maintaining a clean, safe, stimulating living environment, providing transportation, and supporting individuals to become active members of their community. Service provisions focus on maintaining or enhancing the individual's dignity, well-being, autonomy, personal choice, self-esteem and teaching functional skills that are alternatives to maladaptive behavior.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Your Own Vehicle, a Driver’s License, and Auto Insurance
• Age 18+
• Pass a Health and Welfare Background Check
• Must secure and maintain First Aid and CPR certification within 30 days.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Effective communication and interpersonal skills are needed. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must have the ability to satisfy a background check and comply with the company's drug free workplace policy.

Must possess a good driving record, provide proof of current driver's license and insurance if program/job position requires. Authorized drivers must be 21 years of age or older and Van drivers must be 25 years of age or older. When assigned to the Children's program, must be able to secure and maintain authorized driver status.

Demonstrated competency with skills and abilities to work successfully with the challenging behaviors of supported individuals in care.

Demonstrated competency in basic knowledge of daily living skills, communication, community interaction and recreation.

Demonstrated capacity to be an appropriate role model, including exhibiting mature behavior and making appropriate decisions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

In addition to meeting the above qualifications,  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS: Include the following & other duties may be assigned.

• Monitor or provide assistance and/or instruction to individual with dressing, grooming, toileting, bathing, eating and sleep habits as needed.
• Assist with wheelchair use, including pushing, folding / unfolding, and loading into autos or vans.
• Assist individuals with physical therapy exercises.
• Prepare, provide instruction and/or assist in preparing nutritious meals that reflect individual preferences. Assist with meal planning, shopping, and safe food storage.
• Operate household appliances, including vacuum cleaner, washer/dryer, and other mechanical or manual devices.
• Perform normal household cleaning, including sweeping, mopping, dusting, scrubbing, and washing dishes.
• Accompany individuals into the community and assist with involvement in activities and interaction with the public.
• Provide transportation to individuals using public transportation, company-provided vehicles, or, if approved, personal vehicle.
• Check and assure all documentation is accurate and completed in a timely manner, including but not limited to program data, behavior data, incident/accident reports, investigation forms, vehicle mileage logs, release of responsibility individual financials.
• Participate in the formulation and implementation of individual treatment plans including data collection, report writing participation in treatment team meeting and carrying out treatment team recommendations.
• Maintain respectful relationships which recognize individual's rights as a citizen and promotes their dignity, well-being, personal choice, and self-esteem.
• Ensure strategies identified in the Service Plan (ISP, treatment plan), are followed by providing support to individual's participation in preferred activities and goals.
• Provide individuals with formal / informal training to increase competence, self-reliance, power, choice, and independence
• Promote growth and achieve habilitation with primary program emphasis on self-help skills, communication skills, perceptual motor skills, social/recreational skills, domestic skills, community living skills, and behavior management.
• Follow established formal behavior support plans and guidelines for positive behavior support programs as outlined. 
• Assist in developing positive behavior supports by providing feedback about individual's preferences.
• Accompany individuals on community activities and provide informal training in appropriate social behaviors.
• Support individuals' participation in cultural, recreational, and educational activities both at home and in the community.
• Communicate and collaborate with family members, other service professionals and agencies in accordance with the treatment plan to provide continuity of approach, to increase the probability of attainment of objectives, and an integrated program that meets the individual's needs.

Positive Working Environment

• Respect and honor diversity (race, religion, marital status, age, sexual orientation, color, creed, national origin, and abilities). 
• Treat all co-workers with respect and in a manner that will promote teamwork, productivity and a positive working environment.
• Work collaboratively with others to accomplish goals and/or assigned tasks.
• Interact positively with individuals served; family members, case managers, other agencies, neighbors, and the public to reflect quality programming.
• Meet expected outcomes or let supervisor know of any needed direction, support or resources to ensure attainment of expected outcomes. 
• Participate fully, positively and productively in team meetings to assist in achieving the desired outcomes of the meeting.
• Inform team members of important information that will assist in providing quality supports to individuals.
• Follow scheduled work hours. Since we are responsible for individual's safety, it is imperative to arrive on time and to delay departure as necessary until replacement staff arrives.
• Follow established routines for the scheduled work time, and respond to non-routine requirements.
• Notify supervisor as soon as possible of illness or emergencies that will cause missing work.
• Provide backup coverage as assigned (when and where needed) for vacations, illness, or other emergencies.
• Must be willing and able to adapt to schedule changes as needed including weekends and holidays.
• Follow dress code guidelines to provide an appropriate role model and to represent quality services.
• Act according to the guidelines of program and operations manual, program guidelines, company policies & procedures and the employee handbook. Maintain working knowledge of these documents by reviewing them at least once a year.

Growth & Development

Complete Basic Orientation and attend other in-service training as recommended and/or required.

Set and achieve performance and development goals as scheduled through the Annual Employee Assessment and Quarterly Review process.

Complete and remain current in First Aid, CPR, Infection Control and Bloodborne Pathogens Training.

Safety and Health

Ensure each individuals living environment is safe and sanitary. Provide support services as needed to maintain clean, attractive homes.

Ensure individuals are free from abuse, mistreatment and/or neglect and complete all necessary mandated reports.

Respond effectively to emergencies and illnesses. Follow procedures and notify supervisor as required.

Monitor health needs, including medications, special diets, and notify supervisor of any outstanding needs. 

Provide assistance to individuals to ensure they receive medications as prescribed, as required. Make consistent and accurate medication passes, following all policy and procedures for medication passes.

Provide individuals with adequate supervision that is appropriate to their needs during work hours. 

Provide Lift and Transfer assistance (may include non-ambulatory individuals) requiring ability to bear and maneuver up to 50 or more pounds of unbalanced weight.

Notify supervisor of any needed repairs or other concerns.

Additional Requirements:

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequently required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb/balance, stoop, kneel or crouch.

Often required to sit for long periods of time, use hands and fingers to handle.

Frequently required to talk and hear. Quiet to moderate noise level in work environment.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Must be able to lift and/or transfer a minimum of 50 pounds.