Open position in the home of a young woman who has high medical needs.
Preferred applicants will have a background in care-providing or healthcare but experience is not necessary.
Ability to follow a detailed medication routine is necessary. She is semi-ambulatory but needs a wheelchair outside of home. Staff need to be able to lift and transport wheelchair when she goes to appointments or in community.
Radiant Living is a Supported Living Service Agency employing teams of Direct Support Professionals. DSPs work one on one with individuals who have developmental challenges, providing support needed for the person to be able to live in their own homes, access and participate in community, pursue their interests and live a life of their own choosing.
The people we support have a wide variety of challenges which can include: Intellectual, Developmental, Physical Disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and Autism. We also support people who have Mental Health and Behavioral Challenges as well as those who are Aging or have higher medical needs. Some of our clients are very independent, only needing a handful of support hours a week. Some have jobs, spouses or a very active community lives that keeps them busy. Others have no verbal skills and require direct care in most aspects of their life.
Direct Support Professionals
Direct Support Professionals are drawn to meaningful work and passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. It is great for building experience or for those who already have skills in the fields of social work, education, healthcare, psychology and any fields involving working with people.
Depending on the unique needs of each individual receiving services, DSP positions are widely varied. The person is supported in pursing their lives and interests so depending on the person a DSP is working with, they could find themselves on a long hike exploring muddy trails, slowly pushing a wheelchair in the neighborhood, sitting on the patio to enjoy the sun, getting immersed in a collaborative art project, coloring to relaxing music, coming up with a dress-up dance party in the living room, planting some flowers, creating a cookbook with pictures and recipes, having a picnic in the sun, on a three-day camping trip, meditating in nature, listening to stories, making art, going to the gym, cooking gourmet meals, swimming, playing video games, engaging in long conversations about all sorts of things, gathering supplies for a sushi party. The job can involves teaching skills the person wants to learn such as how to sweep the floor effectively, how to grow food, how to do laundry without white socks turning pink, teaching reading skills, teaching meditation, helping with training to run in a marathon, how to identify birds at the Marsh, or help with the skills needed to make and mail birthday cards to their friends and family throughout the year.
Though the positions may vary as much as the unique person being supported, the job responsibilities are as follows:
Supervision of heath, safety and wellbeing.
Support with taking medication according to doctor's orders and following other doctor's orders.
Providing support with medical and other appointments.
Providing direct personal care such as assistance with personal care such as bathing, dressing, grooming or other health related tasks.
Maintaining a safe, clean and organized living environment.
Support with achieving personal goals, pursing interests and being an integral part of the community.
Teaching household chores, budgeting, meal planning and preparation, social skills, shopping and a variety of other daily life skills.
Providing positive behavioral support.
Maintenance of documentation and reporting concerns, changes and time sensitive information.
Attending trainings and staff meetings, and communicating regularly with the team supporting the person.
DSPs help with all the little details and all the big things that support a person to live their own best life!
Information about types of Shifts:
Many of the people we support have 24 hour care. Many attend day program or have jobs M-F 9-3. Other than weekdays, shifts are typically 8/9am-3pm, 3pm-10pm, 10pm-8/9am including weekends and holidays.
For more independent clients there are shifts scheduled depending on the needs of the individual client. Shifts with those individuals can be anywhere between 2pm-11pm hours during the day.
Fill In shifts are an opportunity for staff who want more flexibility in their schedule. Some staff work a few regularly scheduled shifts and fill in with their client when there is a need and their schedule allows. Others have wide experience in the field and do fill in work for multiple clients, picking up hours for shift coverage when they have availability.
There are two kinds of Overnight shifts: Most Overnight shifts allow for the staff to sleep as long as they are available should client needs arise in the night. Those hours are paid at a lower rate but staff are typically able to sleep. These shifts are great for someone who has school, another job, or just wants to spend their days living their life. We also have Overnight positions that are Up at Night so those shifts are at the employee's same hourly rate as non-Overnight hours. In the case of Up at Night shifts the person you are supporting is usually sleeping but the staff need to monitor them at regular intervals. These shifts are great for natural night owls who like to read, knit, study or engage in other quiet activities in the night.
TO APPLY:
REQUIREMENTS:
Must be local. We do not do phone interviews and we need staff to begin training sooner than relocation would allow.
Must be able to pass a background (DOJ fingerprint) clearance.
Must have a clean driving record including no DUIs for the last five years.
Must have a reliable vehicle that is in good working condition that you can use during shift.
Must have good written and oral communication skills.
Must be able to provide proof of being fully vaccinated/boosted against Covid-19.
Please reply to this post with Resume, Cover Letter and answers to these Screening Questions:
Screening Questions:
1. Are you able to pass a Fingerprint/DOJ background clearance?
2. Do you have a clean driving record (including no DUIs) over the last five years?
3. Do you currently live where you can comfortably commute to positions in Eureka, Arcata or McKinleyville?
4. Do you have a vehicle in good working condition that can be used during shifts to support your client in community access?
5. Do you have plans in the next six months (such as leaving town for an extended period of time) that would necessitate getting more than one or two shifts covered? (if so please list dates)
6. How many hours a week would you ideally like to work?
7. What hours are you NOT available to work due to other commitments? (include hours you would NOT be able to work so we can see if we have shifts available that would work with your schedule)
8. What would be your first available start date?
9. Due to the nature of this job we are only able to hire people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Are you fully vaccinated and up to date on boosters?
