Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions and Duties:

Agency Policies and Procedures

· Signs and abides by the Employee Conduct Policy, Code of Ethics and all other company policies and procedures.

· Exemplifies agency Mission.

· Works schedule as assigned and maintains good attendance and punctuality.

· Attends monthly facility meetings.

· Attends DOH DDSD required trainings, therapy trainings and facility meetings as scheduled.

· Exhibits a positive, company supportive attitude and is professional in terms of speech, mannerisms, and personal appearance.

Individual Support for Program Participants:

· Provides direct support to program participants and works with IDTs as a participating member of the IDT.

· Assists and supports program participants with their programs, therapies, and plans.

· Provides assistance, support and training on daily living skills, including but not limited to cooking, cleaning, appropriate manners and behavior, personal hygiene, etc.

· Facilitates community activity and inclusion where program participants are line of site in the community.

· Observes and implements safety in all facilities, monitors/assures health, and safety of program participants in the residence and in the community, including but not limited to safeguarding participants from falls.

· Assists with medical appointments and assures receipt of medical notes following appointments as needed.

· Follows menus and prepares meals for program participants.

· Supports program participants with behavioral challenges, including but not limited to physical restraint.

· Assists with programs participants medical needs or issues that arise, personal care and all aspects of hygiene/grooming, including but not limited to bathing, toileting, feeding, shaving, lifting, transferring, tooth brushing, medication assistance, etc.

· Lift and transfer non-ambulatory, following approved procedures.

· Provides transportation in agency vehicles to community activities, appointments, therapies, etc., abides by agency policies and procedures regarding transportation and maintenance of agency vehicles, and implementation of vehicle safety (seat belts) etc.

· Responsible for cleaning facility, vehicle, community area, and cleaning up a program participant up after incontinence, eating, illness and behavioral incidents.

· Maintains current First Aid and CPR certification.

Medication:

· Completes and passes assistance with medication delivery.

· Documents assisting with medication delivery, including assisting with PRN’s and

documenting their results.

· Maintains secure storage of medications.

Home Maintenance:

· Assists program participants with the cleanliness, organization, and maintenance of the entire residence, including bedrooms, bathrooms, yard, etc.

· Performs daily cleaning duties in accordance with the house task list and other cleaning duties as assigned, assuring all items on the list are complete for the day before the end of the scheduled shift.

· Direct Care Counselor must assist programs participants with cleaning their own bedroom, keeping it organized, dust free, swept, mopped, vacuumed, clothing put away in drawers and closets, etc.

· Responsible for overall home and yard cleanliness and maintenance; performs daily cleaning duties in accordance with the house task list and other duties as assigned. Also keeps agency vehicle clean.

Records Maintenance / Documentation:

· Documents daily including but not limited to progress notes, medication assisted with, task list, support strategies, GERs, data tracking and completes other daily documentation as required by Medicaid, the NM DOH and BLH.

· Required to document in all company assigned electronic documentation modules including but not limited to ItherapyDocs, Therap, MAR, etc.

· Has access to program participant’s files in the facilities and electronically and maintains confidentiality in accordance with agency policy and state, federal and HIPAA regulations.

Miscellaneous:

· Completes other specified duties as requested or assigned.

Crisis Intervention Technique:

· Follows all behavior support and crisis plans for program participants.

· Utilizes the Company’s approved crisis intervention technique if approved in the behavior support and/or crisis plan.

· Employees must a step back when a program participant has a challenging event and/or behavior and restraint is used as a last resort. Utilize restraint only if the program participant is trying to physically hurt themselves, someone else or put themselves in immediate danger.

Safety Sensitive Position:

The Direct Care Counselor position is a safety sensitive position where the employee holding this position has the responsibility for their own health and safety, as well as, the health and safety of the program participants, their co-workers, community members, team members and stakeholders. This position has many safety sensitive duties including but not limited to working directly with program participants, assisting with medication, preparing food, and operating a motor vehicle regularly for the company.

Working Conditions/Physical Exertion/Dexterity:

· Works primarily in a residential and community setting.

· May be requested to work other shifts or facilities; Shift times, days, position transfers, and facility assignments may change and occur as necessary and without notice.

· Moderate physical exertion required, including but not limited to bending, sitting, standing, squatting, kneeling, running, walking, climbing stairs, lifting, transferring, participating in sport activities, etc.

· Able to type, have good computer skills and able to navigate the worldwide web.

· Able to work directly with program participants including but not limited to challenging behaviors, physical restraint, medical care, personal care, grooming, hygiene, assisting with medication, lifting, and transferring through the entirety of the shift.

· Able to move/respond quickly to many difficult situations and handle stressful situations calmly.

· Ability to work alone with program participants who are or can become verbally and/or physically aggressive daily and support them through challenging behaviors and crisis events.

· Ability to hear and withstand repetitive noises, sounds, phrases, yelling, screaming, etc.

· Must be able to lift 25 pounds above the shoulders, 40 lbs. or more repeatedly, and support 70 to 100 pounds occasionally.

· Ability to relate positively to the individuals supported and their teams.

· Ability to assist, support, lift and transfer individuals who utilize walkers, wheelchairs, and gait belts.

· Able to perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.

· Able to work independently and without constant supervision.

· Mandatory influenza vaccine annually.

What we offer:

• Hourly Rate: $16 - $17.5/hr. (DOE)
• Over-time available
• Paid training
• Opportunities for internal growth and career development
• Paid mileage
• Health reimbursement arrangement
• 401 (K)

Qualifications

· 21 years of age or older (required by company commercial insurance)

· High School diploma/GED or equivalent required

· Must have a clear driving record at hire and throughout the course of employment - with less than 2 moving violations within the last 2 years and no DUI/DWI’s within the last 5 years.

· Must be able to pass a pre-hire drug/alcohol screen and continue to pass screens throughout the course of employment.

· Must have a clear criminal background at hire and throughout the course of employment, including but not limited to COR/EAR check, NM Courts, sex offenders, receiving a clearance letter through DOH CCHSP, etc.

· Must have a current valid NM driver’s license at hire and throughout the course of employment.

· Must have reliable transportation to and from work throughout the course of employment.

· Must be able to operate company vehicles, drive for the company and transport program participants in a company vehicle throughout the course of employment.

· Must comply with all training requirements, including but not limited to general orientation, DOH state mandated and therapy training.

· Must be able to wear a mask properly covering your nose and mouth for the duration of your scheduled shift during Covid outbreaks/as needed by the company.

· Preferred but not required: have and maintain current personal liability auto insurance in your own name or provide proof your name is always on the policy while employed.