Personal Support Specialist (PSS)

ABOUT PATHLIGHT:

Pathlight (formerly known as The Association For Community Living) has been supporting and empowering individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities (and their families) in Western Massachusetts since 1952.

Title: Personal Support Specialist 2

Location: Southwick

Grade: Non-Exempt

Pay: $16.38/hour

*Please note:

• This is a ONE -ON-ONE role that involves helping the individual with personal care/their Activities of Daily Living in their home.
  
• The role will also involve some community companion outings.
• This is also the perfect time to join our team! Pathlight is currently has a Retention Bonus plan. Staff hired for this position will be eligible to receive up to $1750! We also have a Employee Referral Bonus as well.
  

Availability Needed

• This woman needs staffing EVERY OTHER WEEKEND:
  

  • Saturdays, 12-8pm

  • Sundays, 7:30-9:30am and 12-8pm

This position can be done by the same person every week OR can be split up between multiple staff members

Additional Information about the Individual:

Individual has her own handicap accessible van staff will use for transportation. She uses a wheelchair, hoyer lift and requires full support with personal care- we will train staff how to use adaptive equipment! She enjoys shopping and going to local restaurants.

Summary of Position:

Perform a variety of personal care duties to support individuals with developmental disabilities and to promote their dignity, safety, health, welfare, rights and development following established individualized services and procedures, specified program standards and procedures.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Provide personal care which may vary depending on the needs of the individual. Engage, assist and monitor individuals in daily living activities and personal care. Personal care may include eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, varied supports with walking, transfers and lifting.

2. Participate in the individualized services of each person and be current on all changes. Follow clearly established methods, techniques and procedures for engaging, assisting and monitoring individuals while assuring safety and well-being in accordance with the services. Confer with the supervisor, with input from the Care Provider on an individual's support plan, and on related questions, concerns or problems.

3. Remain in the attendance of, and fully available to Individuals served at all times, unless specified otherwise within the individualized services of the person.

4. Apply Association and program policies and procedures, particularly in the areas of crisis management, what to do in an emergency, health and safety, human rights and preventing and reporting abuse. Ensure confidentiality regarding all information shared concerning the individual and support providers.

5. Under the direction of the supervisor, respond and relate to routine inquiries, visitors, the Individual's family, friends and allied staff or professionals as outlined in program standards or by the program supervisor.

6. Provide First Aid/CPR and seek emergency medical care as needed.

7. Accompany the individuals we serve to appointments as requested by the supervisor; may include providing transportation.

8. Submit weekly or bi-weekly time sheets, with summaries of activities, in a timely manner. Participate in periodic meetings regarding the Individual's progress, and carry out changes as recommended.

9. Attend and participate in program and related meetings or required training as directed. Perform other similar and related duties as needed or assigned by supervisor.

10. As necessary, participate in general maintenance and laundering activities specific to the individual's needs. Ensure clean, safe and operable equipment for the individual's use.

11. Perform other similar and related duties as needed or as assigned by supervisor.

HIRING REQUIREMENTS:

1. Minimum 18 years of age.

2. High school diploma or equivalent.

3. 2 years of related experience.

4. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation, as required by program.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN 6 MONTHS:

1. Knowledge of Human Services field, personal care services, individuals with developmental disabilities, basic teaching instruction requiring some advanced skills knowledge; experience preferred.

2. Plus additional person specific training for delivery of ADLs and personal care.

3. Specialized training requirements ---basic First Aid, Fire Safety, CPR, Human Rights.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. Must be able to maintain regular attendance.

2. Must be able to read, write and communicate in English.

3. A variety of duties to assist with the routine personal care of individuals with developmental disabilities involving a number of procedures and the application of clearly established standard practice as specified by programmatic operations and within the individual client service plans/implementation strategies and program policies.

4. Regular contacts with clients providing personal care, assisting and monitoring in daily living routines and programs, requiring tact to avoid conflict and obtain cooperation.

5. Work with confidential data such as client case history and personal data which if disclosed, could have significant internal effect or minor external effect.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Lifting/transferring person with or without assistance of the care provider, with or without mechanical lift.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to or greater than 60 pounds
• Repetitive twisting, bending, squatting with full use of arms/legs
• Repetitive stooping, kneeling.
• Reaching above shoulder level.
• Prolonged standing
• Work requiring depth perception
• Ability to get up off the floor.
• Driving personal vehicle.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk; talk and hear; lift and carry, push and pull with force; maintain balance. The employee occasionally is required to climb and stoop; climb stairs, reach with hands and arms, work with hands and fingers to operate an object or control. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to or greater than 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and peripheral vision; reading of written, printed or computer screen data.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

1. Reports to designated Supervisor.

2. Interacts frequently with Care providers and existing support personnel.

Pathlight has demonstrated a commitment to issues of diversity. We welcome all applicants. EOE equal opportunity employer.

Salary : $16 - $17