Direct Care Worker

INNOVATIVE LIFESTYLES, INC.

Direct Care Worker Job Description

I.          Minimum qualifications for Direct Care Workers:

            A.        High School Diploma or equivalent unless waived by Executive Director.

            B.        Good physical health and a recent T.B. skin test result, before beginning employment.

            C.        Three Character references.

            D.        Previous experience working with people with disabilities and/or prior experience in the human                                 services field is preferred, but not required.

            E.         Must be 18 years of age.

            F.         Must have a valid Michigan drivers license and a good driving record unless waived by the Executive Director in writing

            F.         Must be able to complete required reports.

            G.        Must be able to follow written and oral instructions.

            H.        Must be suitable to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs of the residents.

             I.         Must be capable of handling emergency situations.

             J.        Direct Care Staff must be competent in the following training classes which will be provided:

• Reporting requirements
• First aid
• CPR
• Personal care, supervision and protection
• Resident Rights
• Safety and Fire Prevention
• Prevention and containment of communicable diseases
• Gentle Teaching
• Prevention of fraud and abuse/waste of Medicaid funding
• Resident Plans of service and implementation of such

II.         Direct Care Worker Essential job functions consist of, but are not limited to the following:

            A.        The Direct Care Worker shall be directly accountable to the House Supervisor for             carrying out                             the duties of the home’s operation, policies and procedures. 

B.        Resident Care Responsibilities:

1.         Read logs at the start of shift communicate with prior shift greet and check all residents.

2.         Provide or assist clients with complete personal hygiene, including bathing, dressing,    shaving, hair styling, oral care, ear and nail care, etc..  This may include toileting     residents according to their plan of service, and/or checking residents for wetness or             soiling every hour.

3.         Following menu plans, recipes, preparing dinner, assisting Residents as necessary            with     eating and preparation and clean-up of all meals and snacks.

4.         Meeting program needs daily and proper documentation of progress and/or concerns.

5.         Acting as a strong advocate for the rights of the Residents.  Following all treatment plans             as outlined in the Resident’s plan of service.

6.         Report any abuse or neglect of Residents IMMEDIATELY to the Executive Director, Area Supervisor and Home Manager.

7.         Assisting with medical appointments as they arise, and proper documentation of such.

8.         Responsible for shopping, and assisting the Residents as needed.  Also responsible for assisting in community outings and planning recreational activities    with the Residents and maintaining accurate use of petty cash funds, obtaining itemized receipts for all purchases.

9.         Responsible for assisting to transport all Residents to all appointments or functions.

10.       Responsible for signing all logs and service charts on a daily basis.

11.       Distribute medication during a shift only after being trained by M.O.R.C. to do so.

12.       Complete fire drills and severe weather/tornado drills, with documentation of such.

13.       Communicate in a positive and professional manner, with support service personnel and parent/guardians.

14.       Help maintain the quality of the home environment by assisting in laundry, cleaning the          kitchen, living room, family room, bedrooms, other living areas, bathrooms, garage and            grounds.  Shovel snow on walks, weed flower beds, sweep      walks and porches.  This is to         be done routinely.   Also encourage resident             involvement as much as possible.

15.       Communicate by staff log, by phone or by report, any and all important information or        problems to Home Manager.

16.       Report any abuse of resources, misuse of resident funds, petty cash, home vehicle or home’s supplies immediately to Executive Director

C.        Employee Responsibilities General:

                        1.         Responsible for participating in active treatment plans and programming for all residents.

                        2.         Participating in all staff meetings, program meetings and other special meetings as they                                             arise.

                        3.         Reporting on delegated duties at staff meetings.      

                        4.         Carrying out all house and Innovative Lifestyles, Inc. Policies.

                        5.         Direct Care Workers are also responsible for any and all responsibilities delegated to                                       them by the Supervisor.

            D.        The terms of employment, including wages, work week, overtime, etc. shall be discussed       and                              agreed upon with the supervisor prior to employment.

            E.         Orientation Period for Direct Care Workers is three months, at which time; their job performance                and training completion will be evaluated by the Supervisor.

            F.         I understand that if I do not give the required 2 week notice prior to my leaving Innovative                              Lifestyles, Inc.’s employment, or do not work it no matter what the reason, I forfeit any vacation                               time that I may have accumulated.

            G.        I understand that I may be required to work with Individuals that have communicable diseases                                  (i.e. Hepatitis, Herpes, etc.).

H.        I also understand that I may be required to be video taped as a training mechanism.  This        would include, but not be limited to Adult Daily Living (ADL) programming as well as Gentle Teaching techniques

            I.          I fully understand the terms and responsibilities of this position and also understand that any                                 failure to comply with these duties may be cause for discharge.