Direct Support Staff (Community Based) - Brain Injury Services

Advocates; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 21,025 - 29,945; Full time

Job summary

Advocates is looking for Direct Support Staff to provide support to individuals with brain injuries in Massachusetts. Responsibilities include assisting with daily living activities, monitoring client stability, and engaging them in recreational activities. Ideal candidates should have a High School Diploma and strong interpersonal skills. Advocates values diversity and encourages applicants from various backgrounds, particularly those with experience in disabilities. The position offers a starting rate of $18.50/hour.

Qualifications

• Must have sensitivity to the needs of individuals with brain injury.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Candidates from psychology, social work, special education backgrounds are encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in organizing their home and time.
• Accompany individual to appointments.
• Assist family members with in-home respite care.
• Facilitate connections to social, recreational, and leisure activities.
• Monitor individual stability in the home and community.
• Submit required reports and documentation.

Skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Sensitivity to diverse needs

Basic computer knowledge

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Starting rate: $18.50/hour

The Direct Support Staff – Community Based will provide direct support to individuals with brain injury in the community. This individual will provide support, companionship, socialization, recreation, fitness, assistance with activities of daily living, in-home assistance to the family via respite care, and other non-skilled services requested by the funding agency specific to the needs of the individual being served.

Are you ready to make a difference?

Minimum Education Required

High School Diploma/GED

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the individual to organize their home, life and time.
• Provide support to the individual by accompanying him/her to appointments.
• Assist family members of the individual by providing in-home respite care.
• Connect and provide the individual with/to social, recreational and leisure activities in the home and community.
• Provide ongoing monitoring to ensure stability in the home and community.
• Produce and submit all required reports and documentation in a timely manner.
• Facilitate and reinforce limits and boundaries with individuals.
• Attend trainings as assigned (DPPC, BI 101); maintain necessary certifications (CPR/First Aid, SOLVE).
• Ensure that individuals we support are treated with dignity and respect in accordance with Advocates’ Human Rights policy.
• Adhere to all principles related to the Advocates Way.
• Perform all duties in accordance with agency’s policies and procedures.
• Strictly follow all agency Performance Standards.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent and life or work experience with individuals with disabilities (brain injury populations preferred). Psychology, social work, special education, recreation therapy, communication sciences and disorders, sociology, and kinesiology/exercise science students are strongly encouraged to apply!
• Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• Strongly prefer that a candidate will have a demonstrated understanding of and competence in serving culturally diverse populations.
• Must have sensitivity to the needs of the population.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and ability to use good judgment.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Must hold a valid drivers’ license. Must have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport clients.

Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.