Caregiver Lead

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team as a Direct Care Worker Lead. This position is similar to work done by a Home Health Aide, Personal Care Aide, or Patient Care Technician. This position requires an individual to coach, teach, mentor, and provide direct support including personal care to members who have Developmental Disabilities (i.e., autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, or epilepsy) ranging from mild to profound. Care is provided at a 1:1 or 1:3 ratio and is designed to meet personal needs of members residing in Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF).

• Encourages and involves members with developmental disabilities in recreational activities available at home or in the community during their leisure time and ensure they become active and involved. Intervenes using least restrictive means at earliest moment using prevention
  & support or redirects member's behavior using his/her behavior building plan to help decrease the inappropriate behaviors of the member.
• Communicates (verbal and/or sign language), reads, writes and follows directions. Implements and writes Individual Support Plan (ISP) programs and strategies, collects and records data. Provides continuous active treatment to the members as well as knowledge of the
  members' abilities and needs.
• Helps members with developmental disabilities with basic care and hygiene, (changing their Depends included). Teaches the members how to bathe, groom and dress with as much independence as possible.
• Orders, logs, dispenses, administers, and stores medications of members according to doctor's orders upon successful completion of the appropriate 16-hour medication technician or medication administration course.
• Provides transportation to the members as needed. Drives a vehicle, operates a lift, puts on seat belts for members and ties down wheelchairs.
  Transports members to their day/work programs, to medical appointments and activities in the community.
• In the absence of supervisor, works as lead or in-charge person; assists in on-site training of new employees and ensures reports are completed and submitted within the required timelines. 
• Responds to members emergency situations by calling for assistance and providing emergency treatment until medical help arrives; completes incident reports and notifies guardian of the member's emergency. Coordinates evacuation plan and applies the necessary steps and safety procedures to follow with minimum disruption and injury to the member.

• Knowledge of proper lifting techniques and proper body mechanics to enable proper lifting techniques, member intervention and injury prevention
• Knowledge of behavior treatment plan and principles, Individual Support Plan process, data collection and documentation
• Knowledge of supervisory techniques, problem-solving techniques
• Knowledge of medication administration, data collection and documentation
• Skills in providing routine medical treatment, (e.g., taking temperatures, applying dressings, etc.) and proper sanitation techniques to eliminate cross contamination
• Skills in leadership and organization
• Skills in communication, both verbal and non verbal (sign language)
• Ability to collect data in accordance with Federal, State, and Agency standards and Individual Support Plans (ISPs) and learn state rules, policies, and regulations
• Ability to attend staff training and apply the basic principles of program training and data collection designed to meet the specific needs of members
• Ability to understand and teach daily living skills, give and follow directions, and remain calm and composed during emergency situations
• Ability to care and act compassionately while maintaining member's rights and maintain therapy equipment

• Applicant must be 18 years of age to apply and read and write English. Must be willing to work weekends, holidays, overtime, and change work locations, when necessary.
• The ideal/preferred candidate will possess a High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma.

• Employees shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-2758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults. 
• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult - Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459. 
• Employment may be contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions. 
• In-state travel is required. This position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.). Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintaining valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration; however, mileage will be reimbursed.

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

- Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
- Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
- 10 paid holidays per year
- Stipend Opportunities
- Infant at Work Program
- RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
- Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision
- Life and Disability Insurance

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for the life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity please contact Ariana Dominguez at 480-790-1749 or ArianaDominguez@azdes.gov.  Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 480-790-1749 or ArianaDominguez@azdes.gov.  Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.