TITLE: Support Specialist
CLASSIFICATION: Non Exempt
ROLE: Residential/community-based care, support & training provider to clients with development disabilities. Reports to Service Support Coordinator
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: H.S. Diploma or equivalent required.
Experience: Minimum 12 months direct support experience working in residential or community-based setting, with people of similar specific needs i.e. developmental disabilities; behavior challenges; psychiatric diagnosis; medical involvement
Certifications: Must have current CPR/First Aid Certification
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- To work with clients in a way that ensures the service is delivered in compliance with legislation, Aya Living’s philosophy, policies, practices and contractual requirements
- To work with clients in a way that promotes their equality, diversity, choices and rights
- To develop professional working relationships with clients and establish and maintain effective communications with them and any other relevant parties
- To obtain relevant information about clients, assess their needs and contribute to the planning and delivery of the service agreement
- To keep appropriate records of work and communication, preserving the strictest confidentiality
- To contribute to the protection of individuals from all forms of abuse and report incidents appropriately
- To promote, monitor and maintain the health, safety and security of clients at home and in the community
- To administer first aid and medication as required and appropriate
KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING:
- Domestic care techniques including personal hygiene, cooking & cleaning
- Social care techniques including conflict resolution and wheel chair operation
- Functional skills including financial management
- Community services and resources availability and access
- Relevant legislation, policies and practices
- Medical intervention including first aid & CPR
SKILLS:
- Strong interpersonal
- Excellent verbal and listening communication
- Supervisory
- Decision making
- Planning, organizing and prioritizing
- Multi-tasking
- Analytical and problem solving
- Time management
- Stress management
- Financial management
- Conflict resolution
JOB SPECIFICS:
- Assisting and supporting all aspects of client’s daily living and activity choices
- Implementing and ‘following through’ on all aspects of all relevant service agreements
- Providing information, advice, guidance and support to individuals regarding personal issues and life choice
- Promoting and pursuing advocacy for individuals
- Liaising and consulting with the client’s team as necessary
- Attending Individual Program Plan and interim meetings as directed
- Completing all data collection and daily documentation
- Ensuring client access to nutritional food that they enjoy
- Ensuring all symptoms of illness reported by clients are promptly referred to the physician of their choice and to the Support Team Coordinator
- Following all Adult Protective Services reporting guidelines
- Abiding by company policy, Federal and State Laws regarding customer confidentiality
- Establishing and maintaining effective communication links with all relevant parties as specified
- Ensuring client access to clean clothing, sanitary and sufficient hygiene supplies and laundry facilities.
- Ensuring client access to transportation as specified
- Accompanying clients to appointments and activities as specified
- Assisting client with budgeting as specified and or making company purchases as directed, providing receipts for all monies spent
- Advocating and demonstrating respect for clients’ human and civil rights
- Assisting with home exterior and lawn maintenance in keeping with neighborhood standards
- Assisting with home interior maintenance, liaising with landlords regarding repairs or other services as necessary and reporting all problems and solutions as appropriate
- Assisting with all hygiene and domestic operations in the event of client inability or refusal
- Communicating with day program services as necessary in a polite friendly manner
- Administering medication as specified or required
- Assisting with provision of meals and snacks as specified and time scheduled by the client
- Preparing administrative reports and keeping all documentation filed appropriately
- Job training and personal development as necessary
- Any other duties assigned by Support Team Coordinator, or Director.
- Ideal candidate - Caregiver - Caregiving - Direct Support Professional - DSP- Direct Care Worker - Assisted Living - In Home Caregiver - Home Health Aide - HHA - Nursing Home
Pay: $16.30 - $19.00 per hour