Direct Support Staff

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 in other community settings. These services include:
2. Performing the following tasks if the participant (by reason of physical or psychiatric disability) is unable to perform 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 that involves 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.