Relief - Worcester County

Venture Community Services Inc•Sturbridge, MA

6d•$18 - $19

About The Position

The Relief Staff member provides daily care, supervision, and safety for developmentally disabled individuals in residential and community settings. The role works a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays, and may be reassigned between programs without prior notice to provide emergency coverage. Relief Staff are paid hourly and must work at least three shifts per month when shifts are available. The role may provide experience across varied settings and may lead to part- or full-time employment opportunities. The position includes supporting individuals’ health, safety, dignity, rights, independence, choices, communication, therapeutic goals, and participation in meaningful community and in-house activities. Duties also include personal care and physical assistance, meal preparation, transportation and supervision, recordkeeping, incident reporting, household cleaning, and following agency procedures and each person’s support plans. Relief Staff may need to remain on duty until relieved and provide overnight coverage.

Requirements

High school degree or GED.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Valid driver’s license.
Must be available by telephone for daily contact.
Maintain First Aid, CPR, and Safety Care certifications.
Obtain and maintain certification in Applied Non-Violence, Safety Care, and PBS.
Complete agency orientation requirements within 90 days of employment.
Ability to work up to twelve hours at a time.
Ability to perform physical assistance, lifting, transfers, and carries as needed, including supporting individuals weighing 150–250 pounds.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays, and provide emergency and overnight coverage.
Ability to remain on duty after scheduled hours if not relieved by oncoming staff.
Ability to work a minimum of three shifts each month when shifts are available.

Nice To Haves

Daily use of a car on site is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Monitor individuals’ health and safety and safeguard their dignity, rights, and liberties.
Safely evacuate individuals during fires or other disasters.
Contact the Residential Logistics Director at least once every two weeks by phone or email to discuss openings, feedback, training, and other concerns.
Remain on duty beyond scheduled hours if oncoming staff have not arrived to relieve them.
Work at least three shifts per month when shifts are available.
Physically escort or restrain individuals during emergencies or behavioral episodes to maintain safety.
Assist individuals with bathing, personal hygiene, restroom use, lifts, transfers, and carries, including moving individuals in and out of wheelchairs and vehicles and to or from mats.
Educate and train individuals on goals and objectives in their ISP and behavior plan, following each person’s DHSP learning style and implementation strategy.
Educate and assist individuals with meal preparation.
Educate, transport, accompany, and supervise individuals traveling to or participating in their place of worship.
Maintain records, document daily data and progress toward DHSP objectives, and complete data sheets for Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Behavioral Therapists.
Complete incident reports, including behavioral incident reports, as necessary.
Treat individuals with respect and sensitivity to cultural values, expectations, and goals; communicate clearly, listen actively, and maintain a professional, courteous, empathetic, and positive demeanor.
Work cooperatively with individuals, staff, families, community members, and others, and seek feedback from persons served.
Maintain confidentiality by discussing individual concerns only with appropriate people in private settings.
Help individuals identify, develop, and participate in meaningful activities that promote functional independence and build on their strengths and interests.
Support individuals in making and expressing choices, including through a total communication system, and in joining community and in-house activities according to their needs and wishes.
Incorporate individuals’ therapeutic goals into daily activities.
Perform daily housekeeping and cleaning, including laundry, dishes, mopping, sweeping, and snow shoveling.
Follow agency policies and procedures and maintain a positive demeanor while managing multiple priorities.
Coordinate and assist with planning leisure time.
Provide emergency coverage, including overnight and direct-care coverage.
Maintain required certifications and complete agency orientation requirements within 90 days of employment.
Follow applicable Department of Developmental Services standards, the agency Mission Statement, the Survey and Certification Tool, and Performance Based Objectives.
Avoid actions that jeopardize individuals’ care and safety.