ARCO, A COMMUNITY RESOURCE is a nonprofit United Way Agency that provides services for adults with developmental disabilities and their families throughout northeast Louisiana since 1954.
DIRECT SUPPORT WORKER FULL TIMEGENERAL FUNCTION:
The
Direct Support Worker (DSW) is responsible is to assist
the professional service team in the execution of habilitation and
rehabilitation plans for those with intellectual and other developmental
disabilities, including behavioral or mental health needs. The DSW'S role is to recognize that men and
women with intellectual disabilities can learn and enjoy growing in skill and
knowledge, and that they can live their lives as full community citizens and
with fully vested rights if they are provided the correct supports. The DSW supports participants’ abilities
to learn by showing them how to do things, engaging them in doing things for
themselves to the best of their abilities, completing activities for them when
needed, and providing repetition of these learning opportunities, even when the
progress is slow. The DSW knows
that he or she is there to teach and support the everyday things and activities
of a normalized life and the abilities and activities that lead to as much independence
of the supported persons as possible for fully satisfying community lives.
This DSW:
- Addresses needs with strategies
described in the Individual Service Plan of a supported person with more
complex physical, medical, mental health, or behavioral needs.
- Assists the individual or individuals with whom he or she works in obtaining
benefits such as housing, food stamps, or other life sustaining governmental
services that have been identified as needed.
- Provides modeling and instruction for developing and
maintaining community relationships that are compatible with the individual’s
needs and interests.
- Assists the individual in developing socially
appropriate behaviors or accessing therapeutic services to do so.
- Communicates regularly with the
manager regarding the effectiveness of the individualized plans and any needed
changes in those, reports changes observed in the needs of the supported
individuals, and does so immediately if those changes affect health or safety,
are medical emergencies, are related to issues of suspected abuse or neglect,
or are a request for changes in services.
- Works closely with management and staff development to provide
mentoring to incoming staff.
QUALIFICATIONS:
·
Valid driver’s license and ability to
drive car or van
·
Dependable vehicle available for use on
the job
·
Ability to follow (operationalize and
document) participants’ plans of care
·
Ability to assess, instruct, and support
social needs of those served
·
Ability to teach basic concepts of daily
living
·
Ability to assess and provide for
personal care needs
·
General knowledge of community resources
·
General knowledge of personal health and
personal/home safety
·
Knowledge of basic nutrition and the
ability to cook
·
Ability to organize, clean and maintain
a household
·
Ability to handle and use adaptive
equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, lifts, etc.
·
General knowledge of financial matters
(general banking/budgeting skills)
·
Available to work flexible days/hours
Demonstrated ability to:
·
Read, comprehend and implement program
guidelines and standards
·
Facilitate community connections
·
Articulate and follow ARCO’s philosophy
·
Write with clarity
·
Communicate in a way which promotes
positive and personal growth of the individual
·
Model behavior and interactions
appropriate to community standards
·
Meet Core Standards
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
To support the assigned men and/or women as
described in each person’s Individualized Service Plan or as otherwise
identified as needed. Support is to
include such things as assistance and
instruction for meeting each person’s overall day-to-day needs, functions, and
activities in areas of personal care, nutrition or diet, health management,
physical improvements or maintenance, use and care of durable medical
equipment, social relationships of choice, behavior management, finances,
housing, transportation, and recreation. To support the individual or
individuals in a manner that upholds their rights as citizens and adults. To provide transportation that is appropriate
and documented according to policies. To
provide documentation required by funding sources to verify the work done and
the participants’ responses to their plans of care. *NOTE: As you begin this process please know that only applications which are filled out completely and accurately will be considered.
You MUST provide a minimum of 6 business references and 3 personal references. In the event you do not have 6 business references, you must substitute additional personal references as you are completing the online application.
(A full Job Description and list of Essential Functions are available at ARCO's Human Resource Department, 3101 Mercedes Dr. Monroe, LA. ARCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.)