Personal Care Team Leader

Be a part of our Mission! The Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara County empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to thrive and make meaningful impact. Through supportive services, community engagement, and enriching programs, we help families, build opportunities, and cultivate a welcoming sense of belonging.

Position Summary

The Personal Care Team Lead oversees the daily operations of the Personal Care Assistant team while providing hands-on support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This position ensures participants receive safe, respectful, and person-centered care and provides staff with ongoing supervision, training, and support.

The Personal Care Team Lead works closely with the Program Manager, Case Manager, families, care providers, and other program staff to promote participant health, safety, independence, and quality of life.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide and oversee personal care services, including toileting, changing, feeding assistance, transfers, wheelchair support, and other activities of daily living.
• Assist with eating, tube feeding, and other health-related interventions as assigned and appropriately trained.
• Encourage participant independence, dignity, choice, and self-advocacy.
• Become familiar with participant healthcare plans, medical precautions, dietary needs, and individual support requirements.
• Use universal precautions and proper infection-control procedures during all personal care activities.
• Ensure participant injuries, illnesses, and health concerns are addressed and documented promptly.
• Provide first aid and coordinate emergency medical assistance when necessary.
• Communicate relevant health and safety information to emergency personnel, families, care providers, and program leadership.
• Work with the Program Manager to determine whether an ill participant can safely remain at the program.

Medication and Health Support

• Ensure medication administration procedures and assigned medication schedules are followed.
• Assist with medication labeling, logging, distribution, storage, and disposal in accordance with established procedures.
• Ensure required medication and health-related documentation is accurate and completed on time.
• Report medication concerns, errors, health changes, or safety concerns immediately.

Staff Leadership and Training

• Provide day-to-day supervision, guidance, and support to the Personal Care Assistant team.
• Coordinate staffing assignments and maintain required staff-to-participant ratios.
• Help arrange coverage for planned and unexpected staff absences.
• Participate in new-hire orientation, staff training, performance evaluations, and employee development.
• Train staff on safe toileting assistance, personal care procedures, medication support, universal precautions, and the proper use of lift equipment.
• Provide refresher training and coaching as needed.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to staff and participant questions, concerns, and grievances.
• Promote teamwork, professionalism, accountability, and positive staff morale.
• Inform the Program Manager of staffing concerns, performance issues, and emerging training needs.

Program Operations and Compliance

• Help implement and maintain effective daily operating procedures.
• Ensure health, safety, licensing, documentation, and service standards are met.
• Immediately report potential hazards, safety concerns, or compliance issues to the Program Manager.
• Develop and maintain schedules for participants requiring toileting or other personal care assistance.
• Ensure supplies and equipment are available, maintained, and used appropriately.
• Ensure lift equipment and other adaptive equipment are used safely.
• Support the maintenance of participant records, outcome tracking, reports, and program databases.
• Maintain effective communication with families, care providers, agencies, and other members of the participant’s support team.
• Attend Program Leadership Team meetings, department meetings, staff meetings, and other meetings as requested.
• Remain current on best practices and developments in services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Promote the mission, values, and philosophy of Alpha Resource Center.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises the Personal Care Assistant team. Responsibilities include scheduling and assigning work, training and coaching employees, monitoring performance, supporting new-hire orientation, providing input for performance evaluations, and addressing day-to-day staff concerns in partnership with the Program Manager.

Qualifications

• Previous experience providing personal care or direct support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, older adults, or individuals with significant support needs.
• Previous lead or supervisory experience preferred.
• Ability to provide respectful and safe hands-on personal care.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to respond calmly and appropriately to medical, behavioral, and emergency situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate professionally with participants, families, care providers, and coworkers.
• Ability to work independently, lead a team, and manage multiple priorities.
• Reliable, punctual, and committed to maintaining regular attendance.

Requirements

• Valid California driver’s license.
• Acceptable driving record.
• Reliable personal vehicle and proof of automobile insurance.
• Successful completion of required fingerprint and background clearances.
• Medical clearance and negative tuberculosis screening.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification, or ability to obtain upon hire.
• Demonstrated competency in seizure management, universal precautions, and other required health and safety procedures.
• Ability to complete all required training.
• Ability to safely assist with transfers, mobility, personal care, and adaptive equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Hours of Work

Regular work hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Regular, punctual, and predictable attendance is required. Attendance at departmental, leadership, and general staff meetings is expected.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Can you describe your experience supervising a team, particularly in ensuring compliance with health and safety standards?
• Can you describe your experience providing direct care to individuals, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) or other specialized needs?

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Santa Barbara, CA 93110 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25 - $27