Position available for an experienced female direct support specialist to implement an organized, highly structured, individualized, therapeutic day program designed specifically for our active, social and youthful Neurologically Disabled 47-year old daughter who lives in an independent cottage on the family property.
While impaired with neurological, developmental and emotional disabilities, she is fully ambulatory, with high-level linguistic capacities along with very good social skills. Her fine and gross motor skills are available to her but are limited in atypical ways. The applicant must be comfortable in assisting with some personal self-care, including showering, hygiene, and meal preparation as well as assisting her out in the community as she participates in many various activities and commitments. Many of her more challenging activities have used a task analysis format to help her achieve her best level of independence. The applicant’s understanding of Task & Behavioral Analysis would be a helpful asset.
While we prefer someone with relevant experience and/or a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, Psychology, Occupational Therapy or related fields, if in reading this, you believe that you have qualifications that make you a good fit, we will take into consideration, your experiences regardless of your Education.
1. Ability to carry out a specific schedule and support mini-routines when undertaking established task to consistently support that schedule both at home and out in the community.
2. The position requires an ability to carry out pre-structured program, in order to ensure consistency and predictability. Must be sensitive to preventing environmental stimuli overload, and subsequent escalated and impulsive behaviors. Ability to fully support established routines and protocols. When the environment is managed well the client is high functioning and a pleasure to be with.
3. Knowledge/Familiarity with Task Analysis. (This is desirable but not required.)
4. Must be able to communicate openly and clearly with parents and other staff, ensuring a consistent and reasonable approach to solving program issues and behavioral problems.
5. It is important that you can remain calm under pressure and in unexpected situations.
6. Must have the ability to maintain professional boundaries with the client in all settings, maintaining the role as direct support specialist (counselor and teacher) and encouraging and supporting good boundaries in the community.
7. Must be comfortable working independently.
8. Records of daily work and tracking receipts and expenses are required and recorded on the computer.
9. Person applying for the senior position must be resourceful and self-directed in their ability to research community activities. She must be comfortable with using a Mac and Word, training future entry level hires; Use organizational skills for planning predictable sequence of events, to accomplish ADL's; allows for appointments; household management; and reinforces established behavior routines.
10. Schedules all appointments: medical, household, automotive and personal.
11. It is desirable to have experience/exposure to neurologically atypical individuals or autism spectrum disorders; and an understanding of short-term memory dysfunction in skill attainment.
Because of the importance of communication, fluent English is a must. We spend at least two weeks training the caregiver/counselor for this job. This period involves shadowing the current caregiver/counselor. Consistency is critical to the success of this position.
To briefly summarize – The position involves assuring that her daily schedule is effectively supported and implemented, creating and maintaining the conditions that support good mood regulation,, hands on support as needed, Calm & supportive oversight enabling supervised independence, personal care and hygiene, grocery planning and shopping, meal preparation, transportation, supporting and modeling good, appropriate social behaviors, researching and creating fun activities that engage her interest. She loves art, music, theater and dance.
Hourly pay: $35 to $38 an hour with occasional overtime.
Paid holidays, Sick Pay, Paid Vacation, Holiday Pay
Applicant must be able to pass a background check and have a clean DMV
Please submit a Resume and/or a Work History along with a statement of your interest and fit for the job.
If we consider that you are a good candidate for the position, we will send you additional information and details about the position.
Shift hours are at a minimum as follows:
(there is some flexibility to consider personalizing these some).
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, plus occasional weekend shifts each month
Daily shifts: 9AM till 5PM with some overtime. Occasional overtime is expected.
Saturday shift is typically from 4:30PM -10:30PM but can vary depending on what is planned for the client. We make an earnest attempt to accommodate timely requests for time off on Saturdays.
Earliest Start Date: February 3rd, but we have some flexibility and can make adjustments to accommodate the right person for the job.
