Personal Support Associate (Part-time)

Location: St. Mary's County

Salary: $18.50 per hour

About the role

The Arc Southern Chesapeake is hiring part-time Personal Support Associates to assist individuals who need support to access the community, make friends, have fun, and be as self-sufficient as possible. Support may be provided at home, in recreational settings, or in the community, and can include personal hygiene, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, banking, medical appointments, medication administration (if necessary), transportation, or social and recreational assistance. The role aims to enhance individuals' ability to lead self-directed lives by providing support, guidance, and information to build self-esteem, confidence, and decision-making skills.

Requirements

• 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Valid driving license (no permit or provisional license accepted)
• Ability to pass a criminal background check mandated by the State of Maryland
• Good driving record with no more than 2 points on the license
• Reliable vehicle for transporting individuals served
• Enjoy assisting people and providing hands-on support

Responsibilities

• Community Living Skills & Supports:
  • Assist individual(s) with physical needs (e.g., health, grooming, toileting, eating) and personal management (e.g., human development, human sexuality) by teaching skills, providing supports, and building on strengths.
  • Assist with household management (e.g., meal prep, laundry, cleaning, decorating) and transportation to maximize independence or perform tasks if the individual cannot.
  • Assist with and/or dispense medication (as certified) or other prescribed medical treatments.
  • Support the development of friendships and relationships.
• Community and Service Networking:
  • Provide opportunities for involvement in community and leisure activities.
  • Identify needs for community supports, working with the individual’s informal support system and initiating community connections.
• Participant Empowerment:
  • Assist individual(s) in planning, making informed choices, following through on responsibilities, and advocating for themselves.
• Communication:
  • Use effective, sensitive communication skills to build rapport and adapt to individual communication styles.
  • Learn and use appropriate terminology, explaining as needed to ensure understanding.
• Facilitation of Services:
  • Maintain collaborative professional relationships with individual(s) and all support team members, following ethical standards (e.g., confidentiality, informed consent).
  • Assist and/or facilitate the implementation of individualized plans based on preferences, needs, and interests.
• Advocacy:
  • Facilitate, assist, or represent individual(s) when barriers to service needs arise.
  • Interact with and educate community members and organizations (e.g., employers, landlords) as relevant to individual needs.
• Crisis Intervention:
  • Identify, evaluate, and defuse crisis situations, contacting necessary supports.
  • Monitor crisis situations, discuss incidents with authorized staff, adjust supports, and comply with reporting regulations.
  • Implement behavior plans as indicated.
• Documentation:
  • Maintain accurate records and submit them in a timely fashion.
  • Uphold standards of confidentiality and ethical practice.
• Organization Participation:
  • Comply with all agency guidelines, procedures, and practices.
  • Incorporate sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues into daily interactions.
• Education, Training & Self-Development:
  • Complete and pass all required initial and ongoing training.
• Additional Duties:
  • Accomplish all tasks as assigned or requested.
  • Demonstrate appropriate role model behavior at all times.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to read and write clearly and concisely
• High school diploma or GED
• Proficiency in computer-based software (e.g., Excel, Word, Access)
• Dependable, responsible, consistent, and punctual
• Flexible and able to take direction
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently
• Pass a criminal background check mandated by the State of Maryland
• Valid driving license, good driving record, and access to a safe vehicle for transporting individuals
• Ability and desire to create long-term, trusting, and respectful relationships

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit for long periods, use hands to handle or feel objects/tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Ability to talk, hear, taste, or smell

Work Environment

• Generally not exposed to weather conditions
• Moderate noise level in the work environment
• Required to work evenings and weekends, when scheduled