JOB TITLE: Respite Support Associate. Float Pool

SALARY: $21 - $25 per hour

SHIFT: Varied/flexible work schedule with hours based on need, required to work evenings and weekend, when scheduled.

JOB PURPOSE

To provide professionally guided 24/7 support to individuals served by BSS in respite in situations where significant behavioral risks are observed that are beyond the capacity of the immediate support network to address in a safe manner. The BSS respite float pool worker will work under the guidance of the team lead or assistant director during respite shift.

To assist individual(s) that needs support in order to access the community, to make friends, to have fun and to be as self-sufficient as possible. A respite float pool may provide support to people at home, in recreational settings or in the community. This support may include personal hygiene, light housekeeping where the individual(s) live(s), grocery shopping, banking, medical appointments, medication administration (if necessary), transportation or social and recreational assistance. To enhance the ability of the individual(s) to lead a self-directed life by providing the support, guidance, and information necessary to build self-esteem, confidence, and assertiveness, and to make decisions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Living Skills & Supports

•Assists individual(s) to meet his or her physical (e.g., health, grooming, toileting, eating) and personal management needs (e.g., human development, human sexuality), by teaching skills, providing supports, and building on individual strengths and capabilities.

•Assists individual(s) with household management (e.g., meal prep, laundry, cleaning, decorating) and with transportation needs to maximize his or her skills, abilities and independence (or performs the same if the individual(s) cannot do so.

•Assists with and/or dispenses medication (as certified), or other prescribed medical treatments, as necessary.

•Supports individual(s) in the development of friendships and other relationships.

Community and Service Networking

•Provides opportunities for involvement in community and leisure activities.

•Assists in the identification of needs for the individual(s) for community supports, working with the individual(s) informal support system and /or initiating community connections.

Participant Empowerment

•Assists individual(s) to plan, make informed choices, follow through on responsibilities and speak on his/her/their on behalf

Communication

•Uses effective, sensitive communication skills to build rapport and channels of communication by recognizing and adapting to the range of individual(s) communication styles.

•Learns and uses terminology appropriately, explaining as necessary to ensure individual(s) understanding.

•Write daily notes in the log during shifts, complete data tracking, sleep charts and other mandated documentation.

Facilitation of Services

•Maintains collaborative professional relationships with individual(s) and all support team members (including family/friends), follows ethical standards of practice (e.g., confidentiality, informed consent, etc.), and recognizes his or her own personal limitations.

•Assists and/or facilitates the implementation of an individualized plan to achieve specific outcomes derived from individual(s) preferences, needs and interests.

Advocacy

•Facilitates, assists, and/or represents individual(s) when there are barriers to his or her service needs.

•Interacts with and educates community members and organizations (e.g., employer, landlord, civic organization) when relevant to individual's needs or services.

Crisis Intervention

•Identifies crisis situations, evaluates or defuses the situation, and contacts necessary supports.

•After being BPS trained, apply non-aversive behavior management techniques to include physical restraints and/or carries.

•Continues to monitor crisis situations, discusses the incident with authorized staff and individual(s), adjusts supports and the environment, and complies with regulations for reporting.

•Implements behavior plan(s) as necessary and as indicated in the plan.

Documentation

•Maintains accurate records and submits records to appropriate sources in a timely fashion.

•Maintains standards of confidentiality and ethical practice.

Organization Participation

•Complies with all agency guidelines, procedures and practices.

•Incorporates sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability and gender issues into daily practices and interactions.

Education, Training & Self-Development

•Attends, completes and passes all required training, initially and ongoing.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

•Demonstrated ability to read and write clearly and concisely

•Possession of a high school diploma or GED

•Must have at least two years of experience directly implementing formal behavior plans with individuals who present challenging behaviors and behavioral crisis.

•2 years’ experience with individuals who have mental illness or a four-year psychology, socially or mental health degree.

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

•Must be dependable, responsible, consistent and punctual.

•Must be flexible and take direction.

•Demonstrated ability to work as a part of a team and independently.

•Must pass criminal background check mandated by the State of Maryland.

•Possesses a valid driving license with good driving record and access to a safe vehicle for transporting people receiving services.

•Ability and desire to create long-term, trusting and respectful relationships.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS (PHYSICAL DEMANDS)

•The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit for long periods of time; use hands to hold, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

•While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally not exposed to weather conditions.

•The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

•Varied/flexible work schedule with hours based on need, required to work evenings and weekend, when scheduled.