Relief - Worcester County

Venture Community Services Inc•Sturbridge, MA

4d•$18 - $19

About The Position

The Relief Staff provides daily care, supervision, and safety for developmentally disabled individuals in residential and community settings. The role reports to the Residential Logistics Director and provides coverage across programs, including emergency reassignment without prior notice. It offers experience in varied settings and may lead to part-time or full-time employment opportunities. Compensation is hourly, and the schedule requires a minimum of three shifts per month when shifts are available. Work may include weekends, holidays, overnight coverage, and remaining on duty beyond scheduled hours if replacement staff have not arrived. The position supports individuals’ dignity, rights, choices, independence, personal care, therapeutic goals, community participation, and daily activities. Duties include health and safety monitoring, physical assistance and transfers, meal preparation, transportation and supervision, recordkeeping, housekeeping, and implementation of agency and individual support plans. Staff must communicate with the Residential Logistics Director at least every two weeks and maintain required certifications and agency training.

Requirements

High school degree or GED.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Valid driver’s license.
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, lifts, transfers, carries, and personal-care tasks, including assisting individuals weighing 150–250 pounds.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, emergencies, and possible overnight coverage.
Ability to remain on duty after scheduled hours if not relieved by oncoming staff.
Ability to work a minimum of three shifts per 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 disasters.
Communicate with the Residential Logistics Director at least once every two weeks by phone or email about openings, covered-shift feedback, training, and other concerns.
Work at least three shifts per month when shifts are available, and remain on duty beyond scheduled hours if not relieved by incoming staff.
Physically escort or restrain individuals during emergencies or behavioral episodes to ensure safety.
Assist with bathing, personal hygiene, toileting, lifts, transfers, and carrying individuals, including those who are non-ambulatory.
Teach and support individuals in goals and objectives specified in their ISP and behavior plan, and follow each person’s DHSP learning style and implementation strategy.
Educate and assist individuals with meal preparation.
Educate, transport, accompany, and supervise individuals going to or attending 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.
Demonstrate respect for cultural values, expectations, and goals; communicate clearly; listen actively; maintain confidentiality; and interact professionally with individuals, staff, families, and community members.
Seek feedback from people served and support their choices, strengths, interests, functional independence, meaningful activities, community participation, and in-house activities according to their needs and wishes.
Incorporate individuals’ therapeutic goals into daily activities.
Perform daily housekeeping, including laundry, dishes, mopping, sweeping, and snow shoveling.
Work a flexible schedule for program coverage, including weekends, holidays, emergencies, and overnight coverage.
Implement agency policies and procedures and handle related duties in accordance with the Agency Policy and Procedure Manual.
Coordinate and assist with planning leisure time.
Maintain required First Aid, CPR, Safety Care, Applied Non-Violence, and PBS certifications, complete agency orientation requirements within 90 days, and follow care and safety requirements.
Work up to twelve hours at a time.
Help ensure the program meets Department of Developmental Services standards, agency mission requirements, the Survey and Certification Tool, and Performance Based Objectives.