Direct Support Staff (Must be Bilingual Spanish)
About The Position
This position involves providing home care services in New Haven, CT. The hours are varied and depend on the participant's Recovery Plan. The role includes providing Recovery Assistant services of at least 15-minutes duration to participants in their homes and community settings. This involves assisting with or cueing participants with daily living activities such as meal planning, preparation, shopping, housekeeping, and basic household tasks. It also includes assisting with personal grooming and hygiene, and ensuring appropriate use of emergency medical services. The role further involves assisting or cueing participants in engaging in family, social, and recreational activities, utilizing community supports, attending medical/dental services, managing medications, and maintaining healthy habits and commitments. Additionally, the position requires assisting or cueing participants to avoid risky behaviors, substance abuse, overspending, and unnecessary conflicts. Supportive discussions and establishing a helpful, supportive relationship are key. This includes escorting participants to appointments, reading to them, engaging in recreational activities, and other activities aimed at reducing disability and promoting independence and community re-integration. Participation in waiver Recovery Plan development and update meetings may be required, as well as travel with a participant during qualifying waiver service activities.
Requirements
- Must be bilingual Spanish.
- Must 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
- Performing or assisting/cueing participants with meal planning, preparation, shopping, housekeeping, and basic household tasks.
- Assisting or cueing participants with dressing, personal grooming, and hygiene.
- Ensuring appropriate use of emergency medical services.
- Assisting or cueing participants in engaging in family, social, and recreational activities.
- Assisting or cueing participants in the appropriate use of natural community supports.
- Assisting or cueing participants in the appropriate use of routine medical/dental services.
- Assisting or cueing participants with the use of medications as prescribed, including self-administration.
- Assisting or cueing participants in maintaining healthy habits (diet, exercise, stress alleviation).
- Assisting or cueing participants in fulfilling personal commitments and adhering to scheduled appointments.
- Assisting or cueing participants to avoid risky behaviors, substance abuse, overspending, and unnecessary conflicts.
- Engaging in supportive and problem-solving discussions with the participant.
- Establishing and maintaining a helpful, supportive, companionship relationship with the participant.
- Escorting the participant to necessary medical, dental, or personal business appointments.
- Reading to or for the participant.
- Engaging in or discussing recreational, hobby, or sport-related activities.
- Participating in activities directed at reducing disability, restoring participant functioning, and achieving independent participation in social, interpersonal, family, or community activities.
- Participating in waiver Recovery Plan development and quarterly Recovery Plan update meetings, if requested.
- Traveling with a participant when engaged in a qualifying waiver service activity.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
