Direct Support Staff

Perfect-Care-Inc.; Norwalk (CT); On-site; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Perfect Care INC in Norwalk, CT is seeking a compassionate Recovery Assistant to support individuals in their homes as part of a DMHAS-approved waiver. Duties include assisting with daily living activities, medication reminders, and coordinating with care teams to promote independence.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, valid Connecticut driver's license, and successful DMHAS Recovery Assistant training plus a background check within six months. Varied hours based on recovery plans.

Qualifications

• Be at least 18 yrs. old.
• Possess at least a high school diploma or GED.
• Possess a valid Connecticut driver's license or state issued identification card and be registered with DMHAS as having completed an approved Recovery Assistant training program, have a Criminal Background check conducted within six months of application and meet any continuing education and/or training requirements set by DMHAS.

Responsibilities

• Provide Recovery Assistant services in home and community settings for at least 15 minutes.
• Assist or cue the participant with meal planning, shopping, housekeeping, dressing, grooming, and hygiene.
• Encourage participation in family, social, and recreational activities and use of community supports.
• Support safe medication use and adherence to medical, dental, and appointment schedules.
• Promote healthy habits and assist with transportation to appointments.
• Participate in Recovery Plan development and update meetings if requested.
• Travel with a participant for qualifying waiver service activities.

Skills

Age 18+

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or GED

DMHAS Recovery Assistant training program

Criminal Background check within 6 months

Continuing education requirements

Job description

This position is home care service in Norwalk, CT.

Hours: Varied- according to Recovery Plan

Duties

1. Recovery Assistant services of at least 15-minutes duration provided to the participant in his/her home and inother community settings. These services include:
2. Performing the following tasks if the participant (by reason of physical or psychiatric disability) is unable toperform them, or assisting, or cueing the participant to perform them:
   • Meal planning and preparation, shopping, housekeeping (e.g., changing linens, washing dishes, vacuuming/dusting, laundry, mending clothing repairs), basic household tasks (e.g., regulating home temperature, storing food appropriately, resolving issues about bill paying).
     
   • Dressing, personal grooming and hygiene (e.g., bathing, dressing, and oral care).
     Appropriate use of emergency medical services.
3. Assisting or cueing the participant to perform or become engaged in:
   
   • Family, social, and recreational activities.
   • Appropriate use of natural community supports (e.g., social clubs, faith-based supports).
   • Appropriate use of routine medical/dental services.
   • Use of medications as prescribed, including self-administration of medications.
     
   • Healthy habits (e.g., healthy diet, exercise, and behaviors designed to alleviate stress).
     Fulfillment of personal commitments, and adherence to scheduled appointments/meetings (e.g.,clinical, vocational, educational, and judicial/court).
4. Assisting or cueing the participant to avoid:
   • Risky behaviors (e.g., unprotected sex, smoking/excessive use of tobacco products, unsafe driving/driving without seatbelt, unsafe relationships, criminal activities).
   • Substance abuse.
   • Overspending.
   • Unnecessary conflicts.
   • Supportive and problem solving-oriented discussions with the participant.
5. Establishing and maintaining a helpful, supportive, companionship relationship with the participant thatinvolves such activities as:
   • Escorting the participant to necessary medical, dental, or personal business appointments;
   • Reading to or for the participant;
   • Engaging in or discussing recreational, hobby, or sport-related activities;
6. Other activities directed at reducing disability, restoring participant functioning and achieving
   independent participation in social, interpersonal, family, or community activities and full community re-integration and independence;
7. Participation in waiver Recovery Plan development and quarterly Recovery Plan update meetings, if
   requested by the DMHAS Support Coordinator
8. Travel with a participant when the Recovery Assistant is also engaged in a qualifying waiver service
   activity.

Qualifications:

• Be at least 18 yrs. old;
  
• Possess at least a high school diploma or GED;
• Possess a valid Connecticut driver's license or state issued identification card and be registered with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) as having completed an approved Recovery Assistant training program, have a Criminal Background check conducted within six months of application and meet any continuing education and/or training requirements set by DMHAS.