Support Worker

Position Summary:

Person in this position will be responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in our Mental Health Assisted Living Facility. Support workers help people to live their lives as independently as possible and support them in reaching their potential, through both practical and emotional support in a home-like environment.

Essential Job Functions:

• Supervising and assisting residents with their instrumental activities of daily living which may range from medication assistance, transportation to medical appointments, recreational activities, money management, shopping for personal items or just being an empathetic listener.
• Preparing and serving resident meals and refreshments.
• Observing residents appearance and well-being, reporting, and documenting any changes in health status.
• Conduct groups and meetings, according to your own personal skills and program needs.
• Maintenance of resident records and sharing responsibilities within the staff office.
• Promote and maintain a therapeutic residential program.
• Advocate our agency and present a good public image while in contact with other agencies, referral sources, family members & medical professionals.
• Performing basic housekeeping duties as needed, sweeping, mopping, and cleaning counters.
• Completing required documentation and performing given procedures to meet our funding and licensing requirements.
• Orient new residents to the house in accordance with policy and compliance with license and funding sources.
• Share all responsibilities within the staff office, and participate in maintaining an efficient, clean, and organized workspace.
• Take part in the weekly staff meetings.
• Help to maintain the house, grounds/garden, and equipment. Organize and participate in house cleaning, shopping and food preparation.
• Conducts all activities in such a way as to safeguard the confidential status of client information.
  • All “on the job” and “off the job” activities are performed in accordance with the Center’s Confidentiality standards and requirements.
• Participates in required staff development / training activities.
  • Maintains up-to-date knowledge of clinical area of practice. Participate in trainings on trauma informed care, assessing and treating victims of domestic violence, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and Seeking Safety
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation
• Participate in meetings and attend trainings as required and requested
• Completes all orientation and mandated training activities, including E-Learning Courses, within required timeframes, and in accordance with the criteria established for this position.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licensures:

• The Support Worker will be required to obtain or have obtained the following certifications within thirty days of beginning their service (facility will provide or assist in coordinating training):
  • CPR/First Aid certification
  • Assistance with Self-Administration of Medication certification
  • Food Safety Certification
  • Hands on and electronic trainings covering a broad spectrum of topics involved with resident care and mental health.
  • In-service training for Resident Rights, Emergencies, Universal Precautions, Reporting Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation, Elopement, Do Not Resuscitate Orders, HIV, Resident Needs and ADLs
• Florida Drivers License and ability to meet agency insurance requirements for driving an agency vehicle. 

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related field is preferred;
• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

Experience and Competencies:

• Two years of related work experience in Mental Health, and / or Substance Abuse field preferred
• Ability to meet requirements of Monroe County Sheriff’s Office background check
• Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character
• Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required.
• Possesses sufficient means of independent mobility.
• Possesses Caring heart and ability to handle stressful situations.
• Ability to understand and address needs of clients with co-occurring disorders.
• Basic computer literacy, including data entry.
• Ability to understand and implement Therapeutic Community concepts
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and compassion for consumer
• Ability to comply with all statutory requirements and professional/ethical responsibilities concerning confidentiality. 
• Ability to demonstrate respect in all dealings with consumers.  Takes time to make sure that consumers understand communications.  Deals with other staff in a respectful and collegial fashion.
•  Ability to seek direction from Supervisor when appropriate.
• Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values
• Knowledge of Incident Reporting
• Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality
• Familiarity with WestCare services and programs
• Understanding of issues related to cultural identity, ethnic background, age, developmental level, gender and sexual orientation in prevention, intervention and treatment.
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and consumers
• Demonstrates respect for an individual’s cultural and ethnic values when interacting with them
• Articulates a working definition of trauma
• Understands the impact of trauma
• Understands re-traumatization
• Demonstrates a high degree of dependability.
  • Maintains a good attendance record.
  • Observes working hours
  • Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor
  • Works independently with minimal supervision
  • Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job
  • Work time is always productive
• Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and  regulatory agencies
  • Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others.
  • Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time.
  • Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare.
  • Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision
  • Maintains a positive attitude toward work
• Ensures and maintains a safe working environment.
  • Work area is clean and orderly.
  • Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures.
  • Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with the Center’s reporting procedures
• Presents a positive personal image
• Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or assisted living facility setting; and some outdoor activities may be required.
• Personal Protective Equipment:
  • Gloves are worn when cleaning.
  • Gloves are worn when using housekeeping and floor care products
  • Eye goggles are worn when pouring housekeeping and floor product
  • Gloves, mask, gown, eye goggles are used for Code Strongs as required for the situation
  • Appropriate PPE will be worn as required by any chemical or exposure situation

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds.  Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).  Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.  Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.
• Frequent use of key board and telephone.
• Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues.  However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions. 
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.

Salary : $19