DIRECT CARE ASSISTANT

Group Home Direct Care PositionThis position is responsible for the safety, training, and welfare of persons in a group home. This position protects the civil and legal rights of those persons.Major DutiesPrepares snacks and meals for persons served; prepares balanced diet commensurate with menus; prepares and serves meals.Orders, stores, and maintains proper quantity of food used in meal preparation; stores leftover food for later consumption.Cleans and directs others in cleaning equipment, kitchen and dining facilities, and the total home environment; ensures compliance with health and sanitation standards in order to ensure acceptable inspection scores.Assists in providing individual training in accordance with programming plans; monitors progress through data collection and report formulation; conducts training in accordance with plans; maintains security and confidentiality of persons records.Completes necessary documentation including daily log and activity records.Assists in transporting persons.Assists in training assigned persons in training as needed.Provides and promotes recreational and leisure activities to persons served.Administers medication in accordance with policies and procedures.Maintains certification in CPR, First Aid, Medication Assistance (MAC), and CPI.Assists with daily living skills and training on personal goals for persons served in home setting.Performs other duties and responsibilities deemed necessary; not otherwise specified.Knowledge Required by the PositionKnowledge of agency policies and of Alabama Department of Mental Health and Medicaid guidelines.Knowledge of the nature of intellectual and developmental disabilities.Knowledge of food preparation and service principles.Skill in the provision of care to persons with intellectual disabilities.Skill in problem solving.Skill in prioritizing and planning.Skill in interpersonal relations.Skill in oral and written communication.Supervisory ControlsThe Group Home Manager supervises and assigns work in terms of somewhat general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with instructions and established procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.GuidelinesGuidelines include agency policies, Alabama Department of Mental Health guidelines, and Medicaid guidelines. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.Complexity/Scope of WorkThe work consists of related direct care duties. The unique needs of individuals served contribute to the complexity of the position. The purpose of this position is to provide direct care services to persons in a group home. Successful performance contributes to the delivery of effective services to individuals.ContactsContacts are typically with co-workers, other agency personnel, persons served, parents/guardians/caregivers, and members of the general public. Contacts are typically to exchange information, motivate persons, resolve problems, and provide services.Physical Demands / Work EnvironmentThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an employee to perform essential job functions.The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, bending, crouching, or walking. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move over 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.The work is typically performed in the group homes. Work may require the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, gloves, etc.Supervisory and Management ResponsibilityThis position supervises assigned persons in training.Minimum QualificationsAbility to read, write and perform mathematical calculations and a completion of high school diploma or a GED. Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years. Possession of a valid drivers license, a good driving record. A commercial drivers license may be required.