1st Shift Direct Care Worker (Rotating Schedule)

Provide a supportive environment in a community residential setting, empowering the participants who have been impacted by homelessness, psychiatric diagnosis, trauma, and/or addiction in achieving their vision of recovery and rehabilitation, focusing on strength and resiliency through person-centered planning. Perform responsibilities professionally, in accordance with MHA’s Core Values (Respect, Integrity, and Compassion), organizational mission, policies, practices, program funding and applicable regulatory agency guidelines. 

*this position rotates on a weekly basis:

Wk 1: Monday through Friday 7a-3p

Wk 2: Wednesday through Saturday 7a-3p

Wk 3: Monday through Friday 7a-3p

Wk 4: Wednesday through Saturday 7a-3p

Position’s Essential Functions

Participant Support and Advocacy

1.  Engage, educate and empower participants to access community-based resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery (including but not limited to gaining and maintaining transportation, ADL skills, social and vocational skills. and recreational activities).  Act as a role-model/ teacher and participate in these activities (ADLs) as a teaching tool.

2.  Empower participants by teaching self-advocacy skills.  Act as a liaison with hospitals, clinics, medical personnel, family members and other providers as needed in a professional manner representative of MHA’s core values.

3.  Support participants in activities of daily living (ADLs), i.e., personal hygiene, upkeep of personal living space, laundry, cooking/nutrition, establishing healthy lifestyle habits.  This may include cleaning duties, laundry, cooking, etc.

4.  Support participants in accessing educational opportunities through the exploration of interests, grants, scholarships, supportive school environments.  Educate and support participants to understanding and accessing benefits and resources, i.e., Social Security, PVTA, day/vocational programming, Recovery Learning Community, DTA, MRC, libraries.

5.  Support participants in money-management training, banking and other financial matters if needed. On each shift track, count and document in-house monies and expenditures accurately.

6.  Work with the team toward the common vision of community based flexible supports.  Demonstrate professionalism, organization, and good interpersonal skills so that the goals of the participants and the program can be met.

7.  Include participants in all household tasks required to maintain upkeep.  Ensure tasks are completed regularly.  Perform tasks as necessary to ensure a high level of cleanliness and safety.

8.  Provide transportation to participants to ensure that they are able to address their needs (i.e. medical/psychiatric appointments, social engagements, vocational opportunities, etc.)  Complete MHA’s Driver Awareness training and van driver training, as applicable.   Maintain sufficient gas in your tank to provide work duties.  Vehicle must be in working condition and able to transport on longer trips when needed. 

9.  Regularly utilize on-line agency reporting systems; internet based applications (such as the time sheet program); the electronic health records system; and all programs that are deemed necessary to complete the job.  Attend training to strengthen or gain new computer skills as necessary.

10.  Facilitate psycho-educational groups, weekly house meetings.

11.  Practice constant professionalism, maintaining boundaries.

12.  May be required under certain circumstances, including weather-related, to stay longer than scheduled shift and even cover the following shift.  May be transferred between programs and shifts based on operational needs.

13.  Adhere to MHA policy and procedures.

Participant Health and Wellbeing

 14.  Utilize a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach to empower participants to identify their hopes, dreams, and goals in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary support team.  Become familiar with each participant’s individualized action plan and provide appropriate interventions as directed by the IAP.  Communicate progress, lack of progress/motivation, and/or barriers to reaching the goal to the supervisor and multi-disciplinary team regularly.

15.  Identify opportunities to support participants in recognizing triggers to pre-crisis behaviors/symptoms.  Support participants in managing triggers to avoid crisis situations.

16.  Respond immediately to all pre-crisis/crisis or medical events (following safety plans for those who have them).  Keep supervisory personnel (and nursing staff as needed) informed of the situation(s) by speaking with them directly whenever possible.  Follow MHA reporting protocols, including incident report.

17.  Adjust and adapt level of support to varying needs of participant.  Perform other similar or related duties as assigned or as necessary.

18.  Report any incidents of participant abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) or act of omission/neglect to agency management, the Disabled Person’s Protection Commission DPPC, or elder abuse hotline, as applicable.

Documentation

19.  Complete all program and MHA documentation objectively, as specified within required timelines. 

20.  Assist participants with coordinating, scheduling and attending medical, dental and psychiatric appointments when applicable.  Complete the self-medication module with the participant and monitor medications and /or health issues with program nurse and document progress and follow-through accordingly.  Administer medications in accordance with MAP standards and guidelines.  Complete med audits, med count (each shift, accurately) and completing MARS.  Identify, correct, and document med errors when found.

21.  Communicate and report in a timely and professional manner all issues, concerns or incidents to supervisory personnel.  Complete the necessary written documentation related to particular incidents within mandated timelines.

Safety

22.  Promote a safe workplace environment by identifying and addressing any safety hazards/issues, reporting all employee accidents to Human Resources and participant accidents to supervisory personnel, and following established MHA safety policies.

23.  Employee may be assigned as house Human Rights Officer or Fire Safety Officer.

24.  Assist participants to evacuate residence according to program evacuation plan in case of emergency.  Conduct and document fire drills according to DMH regulations and program procedures.  Keep exits clear from snow and debris.

Teamwork, Communications, Cooperation, and Continuous Learning

25.  Regularly attend and actively participate in team meetings, supervision meetings and/or other scheduled meetings.  Attend agency mandated training and maintain required certifications.  Pursue additional activities and training to enhance job knowledge and competency which afford opportunities for professional growth.

26.  Maintain and foster a team atmosphere with colleagues and Supervisor with participant needs as the priority. Maintain positive attitude with team and participants.

27.  Use constructive supervisor feedback to grow and enhance professional skills.

Requirements

Required Education and Experience

·         High school diploma or equivalent (GED).  College degree in human services or relevant field is preferred.

·         Requires six months of applicable experience working with people who have been impacted by homelessness, psychiatric diagnosis, trauma, and/or addiction.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (403B, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Long Term Disability