Direct Care Workers

Responsibilities:

1. Ensure adequate daily living care for the individual. This could involve, but is not limited to, showers, toileting needs, feeding, laundry, general household work, assistance in transportation, etc., as necessary according to the individual's skill level and/or needs.
2. Provide an integrated life experience approach (Normalization) to the individual with the overall goal of assisting the individual to live as independently as possible.
3. Assist/monitor/teach customers daily living skills activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).
4. Encourage behavior appropriate to their living arrangement and community environment.
5. Maintain confidentiality requirements involving all customer and program files and reports.
6. Complete required written documentation i.e. Staff communication book, customer progress notes, behavior data collection, incident reports, timesheets, progress reports. Make verbal reports to next shift or other support staff to exchange needed daily information. When possible, participate in individual's reviews and evaluations.
7. Assist customers with self-medication skills in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act and Consumer Directed Act.
8. Interactions with customers must be directed towards the attainment of goals in the Individual Habilitation Plan (IHP), Positive Behavior Plan, and/or Person Center Plan. Providing opportunities for customers to have choices in daily living and future goals.
9. Perform other duties as assigned.

Miscellaneous Functions – Additional Performance Indicators:

1. Timely Completions of Assignments
2. Attendance and Punctuality
3. Responsible and Dependable
4. Teamwork and Cooperation
5. Integrity and Honesty
6. Initiative and Problem Solving
7. Diligent, Competent, and Quality
8. Professionalism
9. Courteous Service and Respectful
10. Communication Skills
11. Follows Instructions and Flexible
12. Sound Decisions and Actions
13. Compliance – Observes UCP policies, procedures, & practices. Adheres to UCP mission and core values including mutual respect/mutual purpose. Remains current on required documentation and training.

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty competently. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum levels of knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Requirements may be modified to accommodate individuals with disabilities.

• Knowledge of household and money management skills
• Knowledge of basic nutrition and meal planning
• Knowledge of customer personal care i.e. feeding, bathing, and dressing.
• Ability to recognize customer's health needs.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, individuals, parents, regulatory agencies, and the general public.

Education and/or Experience:

A general knowledge and/or experience in working with persons with disabilities are required. Knowledge should consist of course or learned experiences in providing companionship, care, and protection to individuals with developmental or related disabilities. Two years experience is highly desirable. The DCW must also have the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with other professional groups and to exercise tact, initiative, and good judgment when dealing with all people.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, and write the English language. Ability to understand instructions, maintain simple records, and write simple reports.

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. Requirements may be modified to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Must have adequate mobility that requires frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching. The staff must be able to regularly lift and/or move adults or children weighing up to 150 pounds with or without the use of assistance and/or adapted equipment.

Work Environment:

The work environment conditions include the ability to adapt and perform job duties in demanding environments: crisis intervention, temperature/weather changes, pet exposure, various household chemicals, and removing environmental hazards. The DCW will be responsible for his/her own expenses, such as food, recreation, and transportation when providing companionship services.