Direct Care Staff

The Salvation Army Southern California; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 51,577,000 - 63,039,000; Part time

Job summary

The Salvation Army Southern California is seeking a Direct Care Staff member for the Serendipity program. This on-call, non-exempt role supports participants with daily living activities and therapeutic engagement in a structured day program.

Responsibilities include implementing activities, documenting progress, and coordinating with the program team to promote well-being while respecting individual autonomy. Background checks are required.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or better; Associates Degree preferred
• One-year experience working with senior or special needs populations is preferred
• Knowledge of ADRD and care needs; understanding of well-being and group dynamics

Responsibilities

• Implements group, individual, and community activities to promote physical and interpersonal functioning
• Follow participant care plans; assist with autonomy and respond to emergencies as needed
• Complete daily logs (attendance, activities, toileting) and document essential data
• Create safe, trusting environment; demonstrate basic assessment skills and communicate care needs

Job description

POSITION TITLE:

Direct Care Staff

DEPARTMENT

Serendipity

SUPERVISOR:

Program Director

STATUS:

Non-exempt

JOB TYPE:

On-Call

MISSION

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

SCOPE OF POSITION

The Direct Care Staff is a direct service provider who implements activities and needed care for the program participants as part of the Serendipity team.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma, Associates Degree preferred
• One-year experience working with senior and/or other special needs population
• Knowledge of the effects of ADRD on the individual and their care providers; understandingof group dynamics, the concept of well-being, and care that supports well-being
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; and to maintain harmoniousrelationships with participants, families, co-workers, and visitors
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and prioritize work
• Acceptable criminal history backgrounds

Essential Functions

• Implements therapeutic group, individual, and community activities in an organized, on time and prepared manner based on abilities/retained skills of participants, to promote optimal physical and interpersonal functioning
• Works within the framework of the participant's individual care plan to achieve the anticipated outcomes; displays flexibility and engages with each person in the group while recognizing their need for autonomy. Seeks guidance and/or assistance “as needed” and responds appropriately to emergencies.
• Completes necessary program documentation such as daily attendance, activity, and toileting logs
• Creates an atmosphere of safety, trust, acceptance, and dignity using verbal and nonverbal skills to convey caring and to promote trust and respect; demonstrates basic assessment skills.
• Attends and actively participates in quarterly in-services, special projects, trainings, staffmeetings and briefings, functions as a member of the participant's team
• Understands the aging process and impact of diseases, including dementia, on participant'sfunctional ability; uses well-being and ill-being indicators to determine approach to care.
• Promotes participant's independence by supporting selfcare abilities; provides assistancewith daily living activities including eating, toileting, hygiene, transfers, and ambulation; ensureparticipants receive adequate nutrition and hydration
• Provide person centered care in recognizing that individuals are defined by their uniqueness are human beings, not their disease or disability.
• Communicates, follows, and integrates into practice knowledge of Serendipity and The Salvation Army policies and procedures while demonstrating use of problem-solving skills; promotes and supports the mission of Serendipity and The Salvation Army
• Pursues professional development using all available resources to expand clinical skills,pursues knowledge of participant's disease processes and best adult day practices.
• Continually monitor participant's health and wellbeing and communicate changes and anyconcerns about participant health, safety, or welfare to your supervisor.
• Ensure participants are checked in and out daily, follows daily transportation schedule; observes The Salvation Army driving policies and procedures; completes safety check of vehicle, and reports immediately to supervisor any problems discovered.
• Follows kitchen protocol; adheres to participant food allergies or intolerances, foodpreferences and dietary needs and/or restrictions
• If requested, will be trained by the Cook/Kitchen Manager in food service and kitchen standards and obtain a Food Handlers card to serve meals from a Registered Dietician approved 5-week cycle menu and record any food substitutions
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

ENVIRONMENT

The job is located in a heated and ventilated office environment without exposure to extreme weather conditions. PHYSICAL DEMANDS Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing; have corrected hearing and vision to that of normal range; ability to lift up to 50 lbs.; sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, reaching, and feeling are all necessary elements to physically perform the functions of the job.

PROTECT THE MISSION

Must complete the online course for this area and pass the background check process required by The Salvation Army for employment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RELIGIOUS PURPOSES OF THE SALVATION ARMY

The employee acknowledges that he/she has been informed and understands The Salvation Army's religious purpose and status as a church. The employee agrees that he/she shall do nothing to his/her relationship with The Salvation Army as an employee to undermine its religious mission. The employee agrees and understands that his/her services are a necessary part of The Salvation Army religious purposes and his/her work-related conduct must not conflict with, interfere with, or undermine such religious programs or The Salvation Army's religious purposes.

CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT

The employee understands that all information is to be treated as highly confidential. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.

Job Description Acknowledgment

This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this position. The incumbent may be requested to perform job‑related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this position statement.