LEA Consumer Support Worker

Would you like to join a team to be part of a new program that will take you out into the local communities to do things that are fun? Listening Ear has started a new program called Listening Ear Activities (LEA). This program is designed to promote community activities to adults with development or intellectual disabilities so they can increase their independence and productivity while out in the community having fun with their peers and friends. Most events take place in local venues, businesses, parks libraries etc.

Position Summary: LEA Consumer Support Workers are responsible for assisting adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities engage and participate in a variety of community activities. Responsibilities may include assisting with eating meals, restroom assistance, and transporting to and from scheduled activities. All activities will comply with a consumer’s Person Centered Plan. All functions are performed with strict adherence to the applicable Michigan Health Code, MDHHS regulations, and contractual obligations between Listening Ear and community agencies or the State of Michigan. 

Reporting and Supervision: LEA Consumer Support Workers report to the LEA Program Director or Residential Manager of Community and Activity Programs.

Essential Job Functions: 

• Engage with consumers and LEA Program Director or other designated staff to identify and implement activities available under the consumer’s Person Centered Plan.
• Transport consumers from designated locations to and from the scheduled activity in a timely manner.
• Accurate and timely completion and delivery of all necessary or required documentation relating to consumer services.
• Attend and successfully complete all mandatory training and skill development programs, including annual refresher trainings as required.
• Report punctually to work location and remain with consumer until the conclusion of the scheduled activity.
• All job duties will be performed in compliance with relevant laws, regulations, agreements, and Listening Ear standards.

This is not an exhaustive list of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described. Other relevant duties, tasks, or requirements may be assigned to this job any time at the sole discretion of the employer.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and good driving record
• Must possess or acquire through sponsored training a working knowledge of laws, regulations, and methodologies relevant to working with varying degrees of mentally disabled adults including, but not limited to: 
• Recipient Rights, Agency Ethics and the Consumer Bill of Rights, Person Centered Plans, CPR, First Aid, Safety and fire prevention, Nutrition, Prevention of communicable diseases
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to respond to emergency situations in a controlled manner
• Work with professionalism, including empathy, patience, and cultural sensitivity

Education and Experience

Required:  High School Diploma, GED, or be functionally equivalent in reading and writing in English, and basic math.  Must be at least 18 years of age at the time employment begins.

Preferred: Prior experience in a caregiving capacity with a licensed care facility. Post-secondary certification from an accredited Community College or other relevant training program.

Physical and Other Requirements

• Over an 8-hour period: Prolonged standing, regular or intermittent lifting and reaching above shoulders, pulling and pushing, bending at waist, twisting torso, kneeling, walking.
• Ability to lift, carry, and place up to 50#.
• All conditional job offers for LEA Consumer Support Worker candidates will require a physical examination by an occupational health clinic, which includes a lifting component and TB test, as well as required criminal background checks.

Schedule, Travel Expectations, Working Conditions

• Full-time LEA Consumer Support Workers can generally expect 40-hour work schedules, with additional hours when necessary to meet the needs of consumers. Additional hours may be planned or unplanned depending upon circumstances.
• Part-time LEA Consumer Support Workers can expect a more disparate work schedule, though only slightly less structured, generally between 20 and 29 hours per week.  Additional hours or shifts may be planned or unplanned depending upon circumstances.
• LEA Consumer Support Worker schedules will remain consistent as to days of the week and/or shifts worked to the extent possible.
• LEA Consumer Support Worker jobs are not eligible for a remote work option.
• LEA Consumer Support Workers will be expected to travel to attend required training programs, either at agency facilities or conducted at venues apart from Listening Ear facilities. No overnight travel is expected.