Personal Support Associate

TITLE:Personal Support Assocaite

LOCATION: St. Mary's County

SALARY: $18.50 per hour

The Arc of Southern Maryland is currently hiring part-time Personal Support Associates to assist individuals that need support to access the community, make friends, have fun and be as self-sufficient as possible. A PSA may provide support to people at home, in recreational settings or the community. This support may include personal hygiene, light housekeeping where the individual lives, grocery shopping, banking, medical appointments, medication administration (if necessary), transportation or social and recreational assistance. To enhance the ability of the individuals to lead a self-directed life by providing the support, guidance, and information necessary to build self-esteem, confidence, and assertiveness, and to make decisions.

You are a good fit if you have the following experience, education, and skills:

• 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED equivalent

• A valid driving license (We cannot accept driver permit or provisional license)

• Can pass a criminal background check mandated by the State of Maryland

• A good driving record with no more than 2 points on the license

• A reliable vehicle to be used in transporting individuals we serve

• Enjoy assisting people and hands on support

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Community Living Skills & Supports:
•Assists individual(s) to meet his or her physical (e.g., health, grooming, toileting, eating) and personal management needs (e.g., human development, human sexuality), by teaching skills, providing supports, and building on individual strengths and capabilities.
•Assists individual(s) with household management (e.g., meal prep, laundry, cleaning, decorating) and with transportation needs to maximize his or her skills, abilities and independence (or performs the same if the individual(s) cannot do so.
•Assists with and/or dispenses medication (as certified), or other prescribed medical treatments, as necessary.
•Supports individual(s) in the development of friendships and other relationships.

Community and Service Networking:
•Provides opportunities for involvement in community and leisure activities.
•Assists in the identification of needs for the individual(s) for community supports, working with the individual(s) informal support system and /or initiating community connections.

Participant Empowerment:
•Assists individual(s) to plan, make informed choices, follow through on responsibilities and speak on his/her/their on behalf.

Communication:
•Uses effective, sensitive communication skills to build rapport and channels of communication by recognizing and adapting to the range of individual(s) communication styles.
•Learns and uses terminology appropriately, explaining as necessary to ensure individual(s) understanding.

Facilitation of Services:
•Maintains collaborative professional relationships with individual(s) and all support team members (including family/friends), follows ethical standards of practice (e.g., confidentiality, informed consent, etc.), and recognizes his or her own personal limitations.
•Assists and/or facilitates the implementation of an individualized plan to achieve specific outcomes derived from individual(s) preferences, needs and interests.

Advocacy:
•Facilitates, assists, and/or represents individual(s) when there are barriers to his or her service needs.
•Interacts with and educates community members and organizations (e.g., employer, landlord, civic organization) when relevant to individual's needs or services.

Crisis Intervention:
•Identifies crisis situations, evaluates or defuses the situation, and contacts necessary supports.
•Continues to monitor crisis situations, discusses the incident with authorized staff and individual(s), adjusts supports and the environment, and complies with regulations for reporting.
•Implements behavior plan(s) as necessary and as indicated in the plan.

Documentation:
•Maintains accurate records and submits records to appropriate sources in a timely fashion.
•Maintains standards of confidentiality and ethical practice.

Organization Participation:
•Complies with all agency guidelines, procedures and practices.
•Incorporates sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability and gender issues into daily practices and interactions.

Education, Training & Self-Development:
•Attends, completes and passes all required training, initially and ongoing.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
•Accomplishes all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested.
•Demonstrates appropriate role model behavior at all times.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
•Demonstrated ability to read and write clearly and concisely.
•Possession of a high school diploma or GED
JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
•Possesses a proficiency in computer-based software, e.g., excel, word and access.
•Must be dependable, responsible, consistent and punctual.
•Must be flexible and take direction.
•Demonstrated ability to work as a part of a team and independently.
•Must pass criminal background check mandated by the State of Maryland.
•Possesses a valid driving license with good driving record and access to a safe vehicle for transporting people receiving services.
•Ability and desire to create long-term, trusting and respectful relationships.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS (PHYSICAL DEMANDS):
•The 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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit for long periods of time; use hands to hold, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
•While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally not exposed to weather conditions.
•The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
•Required to work evenings and weekend, when scheduled.