SCHEDULE: Sunday 9a-5p, Mon & Tues 1p-9p, Wed 9a-5p and Thurs 7a-3p

As part of a team, an employee in this position is responsible for assisting individuals with developmental disabilities to successfully live in a group setting (“community residence”) in the local community and to promote the individuals’ integration into the community at large.

The employee in this position will work closely with the Residence Coordinator of the community residence, the Service Coordinators for the individuals with developmental disabilities, other team members and the individuals served to ensure that services are provided as identified and specified in the Individualized Service Plan and the Residential Habilitation Plan for each individual served. This employee will oversee the day to day operations of the IRA/ICF in the absence of the Residence Coordinator.

Working Conditions and Environment:

While performing the duties associated with this position, an employee will be in a primarily residential environment (not a typical office setting); in a van or other vehicle; or, in the community at large.

This position will at times require an employee to provide emergency coverage and to work day, evening and awake overnight shifts (including those shifts falling on weekends and holidays).
This position may expose employees to blood borne pathogens.
This position may expose employees to the profanity and offensive/violent behavior of individuals served.
This position may require staff to assist individuals served with very personal intimate care.

• Ability to physically assist individuals as required; and, to intervene physically when appropriate using approved techniques to safeguard the individual, oneself and others during behavioral crises.
• Ability to assist in the evacuation of the community residence/van/facility in the event of an emergency (including but not limited to fires and floods) in a manner consistent with agency and with OPWDD regulations/guidelines.
• Ability to relate appropriately to individuals with DD, their families and their advocates; and, to constructively relate to and communicate with peers and supervisors and to be able to function successfully as part of a team.
• Ability to work independently (when appropriate).
• Ability to use sound judgment while following agency policies, practices and procedures
• Ability to speak, read, and write English which allows full communication and participation with individuals served, their families, agency staff, and government visitors.
• Successfully complete all agency-required training within six months of employment and to keep required training status current on an ongoing basis.
• Possess a high-school diploma (or equivalent).
• Possess a valid driver license with a driving record acceptable to NHR’s insurance carrier and possess the ability to drive agency vehicles to transport individuals served to and from: medical appointments; day programs; and, other activities or events in the community at large.
• Prior work experience working with people with disabilities.
• Prior work experience handling multiple responsibilities and duties.
• Knowledge of community resources.

Nonessential Skills and Experience:

• Computer proficiency, particularly with Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

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

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties associated with this position, an employee (using approved agency lifting techniques) will be called upon to support and lift adult individuals with developmental and other disabilities; transfer these individuals to and from wheelchairs; to and from beds; on and off toilet seats; in and out of showers; and, in and out of vans or other vehicles. An employee in this position must be able to physically intervene (when appropriate and in an approved manner) to protect the individual from causing harm to themselves or others and to safely evacuate the community residence/van/facility during an emergency. These duties may entail lifting/supporting/transferring up to 50-70 pounds on one or more occasions during the work shift and occasionally up to 200 pounds with assistance from other staff or devices.

Employees will regularly be required to stand; walk; sit; use hands (or hands and arms) to carry, finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; crouch and kneel. Employees will also be regularly required to hear (with or without hearing devices), see (with or without corrective lenses) and speak.

In a manner consistent with NHR’s Mission Statement and Unifying Principals and applicable laws and regulations, an employee in this position shall:

Assist the Residence Coordinator in ensuring that the general health of each individual is protected and that the medical and dental needs of each individual are satisfactorily addressed. An employee in this position, under the supervision of a licensed registered nurse and upon successful completion of agency training, shall administer medications to individuals served.

Assist and instruct individuals served in areas such as personal health and hygiene. For example, an employee in this position shall, as appropriate, instruct and assist individuals in bathing, tooth brushing, toileting and dressing.

Assist and supervise each individual as needed in achieving valued outcomes for that individual. This may include (but not be limited to), assisting and supervising an individual in participating in the following activities: banking and budgeting; clothes shopping; household chores; leisure and recreational interests; and, social skills training.

Actively participate in the development of each individual’s total plan of care. Depending on program needs, this may include development and writing of the: Residential Habilitation Plan; plan of protective oversight; monthly notes; assessments; case notes; and, clinical documentation as required.

Transport individuals served to and from: medical appointments; day programs; and, other activities or events in the community at large.

Intervene to safeguard the individual and others during behavioral crises, including implementation of Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention (“SCIP”) techniques as indicated.

Assist in the care and maintenance of the IRA/ICF including housekeeping, grocery shopping and in meal preparation consistent with the nutritional and medical needs of the individuals served.