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Direct Support Staff

Employer
St. Coletta of Greater Washington
Location
Rockville, Maryland
Closing date
Jun 25, 2019

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Job Details

Under general supervision, an incumbent in this position is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of adult program participants. Work requires patience, compassion, understanding and the desire to help individuals with disabilities become as self-sufficient as possible.  Duties may include providing support to participants working in the Weaving Shop, or implementing Individual Service Plans to assist the adult program participant in everyday life skills such as personal hygiene, utilizing public transportation, attending community activities and performing volunteer and paid work; and assisting adult program participants in performing tasks associated with those activities. Such assistance may require the incumbent to lift and position physically disabled adults.  Based on work location, Adult Program Assistant receives general supervision and direction from the Adult Program Coordinators and Administrator or the Woodmont Weaving Coordinator.

This position is classified as non-exempt and in accordance with the Federal regulations is eligible for overtime pay for hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours per week.  Note:  Overtime must be pre-approved and time off from work either paid or unpaid is not considered in determining hours worked in a week.

Other Performance Measures:

Successful performance on the job requires following safety guidelines and policies to reduce accident or injury to self or program participants, dress standards, proper attendance and leave policies and compliance with other policies set forth in the Employee Handbook.  Creativity, initiative and effective problem solving is also important to the success of the incumbent.

Essential Functions

  • Provide daily assistance to adult participants in areas such as physical care, toileting, feeding, medication administration, mobility and other daily activities.  Such assistance may require the ability to keep up with running program participants and or to lift or to assist with lifting adult program participants is essential to perform this task.
  • Plan and provide age appropriate activities for adult program participants with Adult Program Coordinators.
  • Research and plan activities and outings in the community for participants.
  • Actively participate in the swimming program, which includes wearing appropriate swimwear and assisting assigned program participants while in the water.
  • Plan and provide activities that assist participants in achieving their goals.
  • May provide job development, coaching, or support for paid and/or volunteer work for program participant(s).
  • May provide initial and ongoing training, coaching, mentoring and counseling in areas of appropriate work attitudes and skills specific to the individual’s employment.
  • Provide instruction in use of public transportation
  • Accompany and supervise participants on community outings or to job sites.
  • Assist program participants on job sites with instruction, modeling, coaching and cueing as needed.
  • Provide support and loom set-up as needed for adult program participants at Woodmont Weavers.
  • Operate cash register, receive payment from customers for purchases, and reconcile receipts and revenue daily.
  • Complete required reports and paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.
  • Complete Support Analysis Reports daily.
  • Ensure that the vocational and non-vocational needs of the participants are being met.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date participant records and information as required.
  • Communicate with key stakeholders as needed to report on the program participant’s progress, needs, health, etc.
  • Develop and maintain appropriate working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, program participants, family members, governmental agencies, and general public.
  • The essential functions of this position as described herein require the ability to exert moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, kneeling, crouching, crawling and brisk walking, and which may involve lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (45 lbs.).
  • Most tasks require oral communication, visual and hearing perception, and the ability to get around the classrooms, cafeteria, gym, campus, etc. 
  • The ability to keep up with running program participants and or to lift or assist with lifting a program participant is essential.
  • Act rationally, decisively, effectively and quickly under pressure.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Examples of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of conflict resolution and behavior management techniques.
  • Some knowledge of Medicaid laws and compliance with such regulations.
  • Some knowledge of the legal rights of program participants.
  • Ability to operate general office equipment, cell phones, basic computer operation/literacy.
  • Ability to apply principles to solve problems and deal with a variety of unpredictable situations where only limited standardization exists.
  • Ability to interpret and follow instructions furnished in oral, written, diagram, or schedule form.
  • Ability to read, interpret, and follow safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence using English grammar and spelling.

Required Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated ability to fulfill the dexterity and physical requirements of the work, and effectively attend to the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities
  • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers as well as program participants and their family members, residential providers and significant others as needed.
  • Ability to read, understand, and follow directions found in manuals such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and other procedure manuals.
  • Requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to prepare and maintain required program records in a timely manner.
  • Ability to assist supervising instructional staff in the preparation and/or organization of materials.
  • Successful completion of the required training courses within specified period of employment.  Training courses include, but are not limited to Orientation to MR, Human Rights, HIPAA, Blood borne Pathogens, Incident Report Writing, Medication Administration, Case Notes and Confidentiality, Behavior Management, CPR, First Aid and Mandt training.
  • A recent Tuberculosis screening to assure no significant risk to the health and safety of others.
  •  Successfully passing a criminal background investigation and pre-employment and random drug screening.

Minimum Acceptable Education and Experience

Associate’s degree or a minimum of a High School Diploma and prior experience working with Special Needs adult population. At least 18 years of age. A special skill in cooking, weaving, gardening, textile, or fine arts is a plus.

Peyton St. Hours of Work -              8:30 AM – 4:30 PM    Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

                                                            8:30 AM – 5:00 PM    Wednesday

                                                            8:30 AM – 4:00 PM    Friday

Woodmont Hours of Work – may vary based on Store Operation Hours

Company

SCGW serves school-age children (3-22) and adults with intellectual disabilities, autism, and secondary disabilities. At St. Coletta we respect the dignity of all persons entrusted to our care and we serve them in an atmosphere that encourages their talents, celebrates their successes and builds their self-esteem. A key component to our success is that we provide a quality infrastructure and resources to our staff, allowing them the freedom to do what they do best - teach and encourage.

We are a community of more than 400 children and adults where every day we see possibilities beyond disabilities. In September 2006 St. Coletta opened the St. Coletta Special Education Public Charter School at 19th Street and Independence Avenue SE in the District of Columbia. The new school is a 99,000 square foot, state of the art facility designed by world-renowned architect, Michael Graves. The school serves students with intellectual disabilities, autism and secondary disabilities, making it one of only a handful of charter schools in the nation serving this population. The Adult Program offers adults age 18 and older opportunities to participate in vocational and pre-vocational training, supported employment, life skills training, and community integration in order to achieve greater independence. Many of these individuals, while unsuccessful in traditional work situations, are extremely gifted in other areas. The program is constantly evolving to meet the needs of each individual and to find outlets for his/her many talents.
We offer very competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

Health and Dental Insurance
Retirement Plan 403(b) and Employer Contribution Plans
Short and Long term Disability and Life Insurance Plan
Metro Subsidy and Pre-Tax Metro Transit Program
Tuition Support
Employee Assistance Program
Free Fitness Classes
 

Company info
Website
Location
1901 Independence Ave SE
Washington
DC
20003
US

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