Personal Support Specialist, (1459) Part Time

Catholic Charities; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Catholic Charities is seeking a Personal Support Specialist to help adults with disabilities participate meaningfully in community life. You will support daily activities, assist with scheduling, and promote independence while coordinating with the care team.

This part-time role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and strong communication with clients and staff. Monday through Friday, 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM, on-site in Rockville, MD.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid local driver’s license and the ability to transport clients.
• Experience in supporting persons with disabilities is a plus.
• Ability to communicate with individuals, families, and team members.

Responsibilities

• Assist individuals in pursuing interests and planning daily/weekly schedules.
• Transport individuals to activities and appointments as needed.
• Support development of independence, social skills, and community integration.
• Attend medical appointments when necessary and follow doctors’ orders as applicable.
• Communicate health or schedule changes to the team.

Skills

Valid driver’s license

Transport clients

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

At Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, your knowledge and service in areas such as immigrants and refugees, mental health, social work, employment and adult education, legal and financial services, health care, food assistance, shelter and housing, developmental disabilities and prison outreach can make a profound difference in the lives of many. Through more than 50 programs across the district and five surrounding counties, Catholic Charities is opening doors to help and hope. At CCADW, we continue to build an inclusive culture that celebrates a diverse workforce. We offer so much more than just a job. We offer careers. We take pride in our "promote from within" culture. We offer professional development, a comprehensive benefits package, and a passion for building and motivating world class, high performing teams. Explore your career opportunity with Catholic Charities. Join us in Inspiring Hope and Building Futures.

JOB SUMMARY

The Personal Support Specialist is responsible for ensuring that adults with disabilities are provided with opportunities to be a meaningfully, engaging and centered in community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Creates experiences that promote individual's interests, choices, and personal growth by:
  1. Assisting individuals in discovering and pursuing new interests.
  2. Helping individuals have control over their daily lives.
  3. Assisting individuals in planning their daily/weekly schedules (i.e. - work schedules, activities, medical/dental appointments, vacations, etc.) and carrying out activities.
  4. Informing the team of schedule changes (i.e. - calling in sick to work/day program, visits home with family, etc.).
  5. Assisting individuals with planning and preparing for team meetings and sharing preferences and interests.
  6. Ensuring that individuals are on time for scheduled activities (i.e. - classes, workshops, appointments, etc.).
  7. Teaching skills for increased independence (i.e. - self-help, personal hygiene, social skills, etc.).
  8. Encouraging and supporting individual's pursuit for self-advocacy (i.e., learning skills; identifying self-advocacy activities and providing necessary assistance to attend and participate).
  9. Assuring that individuals are properly dressed and groomed, providing maximum opportunity for individual choice.
  10. Facilitating the development of meaningful relationships.
  11. Assisting individuals in broadening their awareness and use of community resources (i.e. - transportation, businesses, libraries, social services, etc.).
  12. Developing and implementing, in coordination with the team, the Individual's Plan to achieve the vision and personal outcomes identified by the individual.
  13. Fostering individual's rights, self-determination, and independence.
  14. Participating in community education to promote the rights of persons with disabilities.
  15. Assisting the individuals in living a healthy lifestyle. Follow diet when indicated in doctor's orders.
  16. Assessing and communicating changes in an individual's health status.
  17. Attending medical appointments, when necessary.
  18. Follow doctor's orders as indicated under the direction of a licensed health care professional (i.e. - PT exercises, health care treatments, etc.).
  19. Communicating to healthcare providers the healthcare needs of individuals (i.e. - medical issues, how to work best with or communicate with the individual, etc.).
  20. Encouraging exercise in general or as outlined in the Individual Plan or doctor's orders.
• Transports individuals from their homes to various activities within the community and back safely.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One (1) year of experience supporting persons with disabilities and/or behaviorally challenged.
• Experience in behavior management, crisis intervention, and hands off problem-solving are a plus.

SKILLS and COMPETENCIES

• Ability to identify and support individual personalities and preferences of people supported.
• Ability to identify and access community activities desired by people supported.
• Must possess a valid local, driver's license and the ability to maintain a good driving record. Must be able to use personal vehicle to transport clients and maintain insurance requirements.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM