Personal Assistant/Direct Support Professional

Support Solutions • Smyrna, ME

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Provides support to individuals with disabilities, empowering them to lead self-directed lives and develop or maintain skills that enhance their quality of life. The role supports people in being happy, healthy, and safe while enjoying life to the fullest extent possible. Work is primarily in a home environment and may also take place in community settings, work settings, and outdoor activities.

The position supports personal care and daily routines, helps individuals work toward outcomes in their Individual Support Plans, encourages choice and independence, and provides person-centered assistance with community participation. Duties also include transportation, meal preparation, daily living skills, documentation, medication storage and administration, housekeeping assistance, and communication with the supported person and relevant contacts. The employee must protect confidentiality and attend assigned training. This is a part-time position; additional hours over 40 per week may be required.

Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years old and able to read and write effectively.
• ECF staff must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout employment.
• Must meet state and local requirements for criminal background, sexual offender, abuse registry, drug, and felony offender checks.
• Must meet all training requirements and keep training current.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective organizational skills and ability to complete heavy workloads within established time frames despite frequent interruptions or distractions.
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and interact appropriately in different contexts.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all matters pertaining to clients and employees.
• Ability to perform varied duties and adapt to changing tasks, technology, techniques, environmental factors, physical demands, and work situations.
• Must provide medical records required by governing entities and Support Solutions policy; examples include TB skin tests, Hepatitis B vaccinations, and flu vaccinations.
• Must maintain a valid Medication Certification throughout employment.
• Must maintain valid CPR/First Aid Certification throughout employment.
• Must maintain valid CPI training throughout employment if required.
• Valid automobile insurance is required when working at homes where an agency vehicle is not provided; proof must be provided before transfer to such a home and may be requested regardless of site or vehicle availability.
• Ability to stand or walk for prolonged periods, sit for short or long periods, and occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, bend, or climb.
• Ability to drive and travel short distances to transport people to appointments and community outings and to attend meetings and trainings.
• Full range of body movements, including ability to perform CPR compressions, abdominal thrusts, CPI techniques, and pursue a person on foot to prevent injury.
• Command of all five senses; vision must support close and distant viewing, depth perception, shifting focus between documents and computer or tablet data entry, and operating a vehicle.
• Ability to talk and listen for prolonged periods by telephone and face to face.
• Ability to lift more than 50 pounds to assist with transfers and repositioning of total-care individuals.

Responsibilities

• Support the person with personal care, daily routines, and outcomes identified in the Individual Support Plan.
• Use respectful language and actions, honor the person’s choices, and support decision-making and self-direction.
• Provide person-centered support to help the person pursue goals, develop relationships, participate in preferred activities, and connect with the community.
• Transport and accompany the person to events, job sites, medical appointments, and community outings using company vehicles, personal vehicles, or public transportation; arrange alternate transportation when necessary for safety.
• Ensure appropriate use of the person’s and agency’s funds, vehicles, buildings, utilities, telephones, equipment, food, and supplies.
• Attend assigned training meetings.
• Cook and provide meals according to scheduled menus.
• Perform daily living activities or teach the person to perform them in support of independence.
• Work toward and document progress on the person’s outcomes.
• Use the electronic records system and complete required daily shift notes.
• Follow Customer Service Standards when communicating with supported persons, families, conservators, vendors, ISCs, case managers, and others.
• Oversee the storage and administration of medications.
• Assist with personal grooming as desired, supporting the person’s independence where possible.
• Assist the person with housecleaning and laundry as desired.
• Protect the confidentiality of supported persons.
• Perform other duties as directed by supervisors, managers, or authorized staff.

Benefits

• $16.00 starting pay.
• Paid weekly.
• $300 sign-on bonus after successful completion of 90 days of service for full-time and part-time hires working 24 hours per week.
• $300 referral bonus for employee-referred hires who successfully complete 90 days of service and work full-time or part-time hours.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Education Level: High school or GED