Direct Support Staff

Description:

¨       Home Care Companions provide service to individuals in their own homes and communities who need assistance caring for themselves as a result of old age, sickness, disability and/or other inflictions. Home care may include light housecleaning, laundry, meal preparation, transportation, companionship, respite and advice on such things as nutrition, cleanliness and household activities.

¨       Home Care Companions are responsible for ensuring that service is delivered in a caring and respectful manner, in accordance with relevant Agency policies and industry standards.

Reporting Relationship

     Reports to Supervisor

Responsibilities/Activities:

¨       Provide companionship, friendship and emotional support.

¨       Talk, listen, share experiences, play games/cards, read to client etc.

¨       Help keep clients in contact with family, friends and the outside world.

¨       Provide transportation to medical appointments, grocery store and errands.

¨       Accompany clients to recreational and/or social events.

¨       Assist with plans for visits and outings.

¨       Write or type letters/correspondence.

¨      Organize and read mail.

¨       Plan trips and outings and possibly travel with clients.

¨       Teach/perform meal planning and preparation.

¨       Perform light housekeeping.

¨       Participate on the Care Team by providing input and making suggestions.

¨       Ensure service is delivered in accordance with Agency policies, procedures and industry standards.

¨       Monitor supplies and resources.

¨       Evaluate the program and make recommendations, as indicated.

¨       Follow the written care plan.

¨       Assist in basic client transfers providing the client has been assessed as being capable of ambulating without assistance; and/or, providing another trained caregiver (including family) is involved in the transfer.

¨       Carry out duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

¨       Observe the client’s functioning and report to Supervisor.

¨       Complete and maintain records of daily activities, observations, and direct hours of service.

¨       Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.

¨       Make decisions and solve problems.

¨       Assist with pet care.

¨       Communicate with Supervisor and co-workers.

¨       Attend orientation, in-service training sessions and staff meetings.

 Required Knowledge

¨       Knowledge of home management skills.

¨       Knowledge of principles and processes for providing client services, including needs determinants, meeting quality standards and evaluation of client satisfaction.

¨       Knowledge of the English language.

¨       Knowledge of information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat injuries including emergency first aid and CPR.

¨       Knowledge of clerical procedures such as maintaining records and completing forms.

 Required Skills/Abilities

¨       The ability to be aware of other people’s reactions and understand why they react as they do.

¨       The ability to establishing and maintain relationships.

¨       The ability to teach others.

¨       The ability to identify problems and determine effective solutions.

¨       The ability to apply reason and logic to identify strengths and weaknesses of possible solutions.

¨       The ability to understand written and oral instructions.

¨       The ability to communicate information orally and in writing.

¨       The ability to listen and understand the spoken word.

¨       The ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.

¨       The ability to determine or recognize when something is likely to go wrong.

¨       The ability to suggest a number of ideas on a subject.

¨       The ability to provide advice and consultation to others.

¨       The ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.

¨       The ability to establish and maintain harmonious relations with clients/families/co-workers.

Physical and Mental Demands:

¨       Good physical and mental health.

¨       Physical ability to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear and see.

¨       Mental fortitude and stability to handle stress.

¨       Physical and mental ability to drive a vehicle.

Qualifications/Education

¨       Current driver’s license.

¨       Proper Vehicle Insurance Coverage.

Training/Experience:

¨       May require related experience.

¨       May required similar social and cultural backgrounds with some clients.