Respite Worker

Position Title: Respite Worker

Department: Foster Care (FC)

Reports to: Program Operations Assistant II

Position Objective and Summary:

The respite worker’s duties and responsibilities in direct care for children will vary based on the individual circumstances and requirements of the child.  Below is a illustrative sample of the duties that may be assigned.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for cooking meals, puree food in the blender.
• Feeding medically fragile children
• Assist the foster parent with bed baths and diaper changes of medically fragile children.
• Disposing of household garbage.
• Light housekeeping responsibilities:
  • Washing dishes.
  • Sweeping.
  • Cleaning refrigerator and stove.
• Participate in and/or supervise activities with the children, appropriate to the age and developmental level and physical capabilities of the child:
  • Sit with the children and read to/with them.
  • Sing songs with the children.
  • Creative play with puppets.
  • Finger painting.
• Assisting the children with building blocks.
• Responsible for small loads of laundry (including folding and putting away clothes).
• Assist the foster parent during any community outings or walks with the children ( May be required to push wheel chairs).
• Drive children to doctors’ visits.
• Purchasing household and toiletry supplies.
• Able to work with a flexible schedule – Hours will vary according to the children’s school schedule.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN.
• Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduled.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
• Accepts feedback and ideas from team and supervisor and is constructive when giving feedback and ideas to others.
• Discusses alternative problem solving and is open to new ideas and ways of doing things.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned or required.

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Car and valid IL Drivers License and auto insurance.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of classified information.
• Skill and a license to drive a motor vehicle.
• Ability to hear and speak well enough to supervise children near streets and in crosswalks.
• Ability to compose all required documentation following specific formats where available.
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs., (carry non-walking children and toy boxes)
• Ability to walk up stairs in the absence of elevators.
• Ability to run after children in order to redirect them in the direction of their transportation of the office or to prevent them from harming themselves.
• Ability to communicate with children and adult clients and other in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to read a map.