Direct Support Staff (Home Care)

Perfect Care Inc.•Middletown, CT

12d

About The Position

The Direct Support Staff member provides Recovery Assistant services to participants in their homes and in other community settings. Services last at least 15 minutes and are provided according to the participant’s Recovery Plan. The role supports participants who, because of a physical or psychiatric disability, are unable to complete certain activities independently, or who need assistance or cues to do so. Support includes help with meal planning and preparation, shopping, housekeeping, basic household tasks, dressing, grooming, hygiene, and appropriate use of emergency medical services. Staff also encourage participation in family, social, and recreational activities; use of community supports and routine medical or dental services; medication use as prescribed; healthy habits; and fulfillment of personal commitments and appointments. The role also helps participants avoid risky behaviors, substance abuse, overspending, and unnecessary conflicts. The position involves supportive and problem-solving discussions and building a helpful companionship relationship. Activities may include escorting participants to appointments, reading with or to them, discussing or participating in recreational interests, and supporting disability reduction, restored functioning, independent participation, community reintegration, and independence. Staff may participate in Recovery Plan development and quarterly update meetings when requested by the DMHAS Support Coordinator, and may travel with participants while engaged in a qualifying waiver service activity.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years old.
Possess at least a high school diploma or GED.
Possess a valid Connecticut driver’s license or state-issued identification card.
Be registered with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) as having completed an approved Recovery Assistant training program.
Have a criminal background check conducted within six months of application.
Meet any continuing education and/or training requirements set by DMHAS.

Responsibilities

Provide Recovery Assistant services of at least 15 minutes in the participant’s home and other community settings according to the Recovery Plan.
Perform, assist with, or cue the participant in meal planning and preparation, shopping, housekeeping, and basic household tasks when disability prevents independent completion.
Assist with or cue dressing, personal grooming, hygiene, and appropriate use of emergency medical services.
Assist or cue the participant to engage in family, social, and recreational activities and use natural community supports.
Support appropriate use of routine medical and dental services and use of medications as prescribed, including self-administration.
Encourage healthy habits, including a healthy diet, exercise, and stress-alleviating behaviors.
Assist or cue the participant to fulfill personal commitments and attend scheduled clinical, vocational, educational, and judicial or court appointments.
Assist or cue the participant to avoid risky behaviors, substance abuse, overspending, and unnecessary conflicts.
Conduct supportive and problem-solving discussions and establish and maintain a helpful, supportive companionship relationship.
Escort participants to necessary medical, dental, or personal business appointments; read to or for them; and engage in or discuss recreational, hobby, or sport-related activities.
Support activities that reduce disability, restore functioning, and promote independent participation in social, interpersonal, family, or community activities and community reintegration.
Participate in waiver Recovery Plan development and quarterly Recovery Plan update meetings when requested by the DMHAS Support Coordinator.
Travel with a participant while also engaged in a qualifying waiver service activity.