Direct Care Worker II

About the role

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) seeks a caring and compassionate applicant for the role of Direct Care Worker II (DSW II) who is committed to building meaningful relationships in order to provide outstanding care and service. The Direct Care Worker II provides direct care services and aid to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing for the participants' needs in daily living and those skills necessary for community life.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the implementation of habilitative, behavioral and recreational programs; perform program-related cooking and housekeeping duties
• Dispense medications in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• Communicate about, and with, the individuals served in a manner which promotes their growth, human rights and integration into the community
• Assist, instruct and support individuals in understanding and exercising their rights to their fullest potential
• Report, as mandatory reporters, all abuse and neglect to the residential supervisor and to the Director of Residential support all incidences of abuse in accordance with regulations; and complete required paperwork
• May drive individuals to work, appointments and recreational outings
• Perform crisis intervention; and maintain confidential records of individuals
• Act as a shift supervisor, monitoring Direct Care Worker I's to ensure they are acting as advocates and demonstrating respect and positive regard
• Provide daily supervision and training to DSW I's through instruction, demonstration, and role modeling
• Implement services that ensure the safety and health of individuals by maintaining a safe and clean home environment
• Observe, evaluate, and take appropriate and timely action in notifying pertinent medical staff of health-related issues
• Make staff assignments within residence, as shift supervisor
• Assist in the evaluations of DSW I's
• Lift, carry, push or pull heavy objects

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of the comprehensive service needs of persons with developmental/intellectual disabilities and their families/guardians
• Ability to give written or verbal instructions in a clear and understandable manner, and to plan, assign and coordinate the activities of others

Agency Requirements

• Must possess current and valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operator’s License
• Applicants must pass the Medication Administration Program (MAP) certification
• After successfully completing a training program, the selected candidate must acquire and maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid (FA) certification

This position is designated as an "EMERGENCY" position in the Department of Developmental Services Emergency Plan. This means that whenever the Governor declares that the Commonwealth is in a state of emergency, selected applicant will be required to report to work. This is a 24-hour/7 days a week staff position. Candidates must be able to be flexible in their work schedule. The Department of Developmental Services requires employees in this position to be able to perform "MANDATORY OVERTIME" when circumstances dictate the need.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

• At least one (1) year of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in providing direct support services to persons with developmental/intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities
• OR any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below

Substitutions: An Associate’s degree or higher with a major in a human services field, including sociology, special education, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or other related field may be substituted for the required experience.