Direct Support Professional ("Assistant" in L'Arche terminology)

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About the Company

L’Arche Greater Washington, D.C. provides homes, residential services, and places of belonging for adults who have intellectual disabilities, the ‘core people’, in the context of an intentional, inter-denominational Christian community. An assistant should have the desire and capacity to learn from and relate to core people, and will work on a team to provide direct care to core people. The goal of an assistant is to work toward the mission of L'Arche to "reveal the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities through mutually transformative relationships."
ResponsibilitiesTo build a relationship of mutual care and support with persons with disabilitiesTo observe the rights and personal dignity of othersTo foster a home life of unity, mutual respect, and participation by all membersTo learn and implement the policies and procedures of L’ArcheTo provide direct care supports, training, assistance and supervision for, and empower core people in: Personal care needs (clothing, hygiene, eating, etc.) money management, medical care, appointments, family and work connections, household chores, laundry, medications, meal preparation, transportation; Achieving personal goals and performing programmatic activities as noted in core person plans and adequately documenting all necessary information; Communicating and self-advocating effectively with doctors and other professionalsTo participate on a team, including sharing responsibility for:Household and yard maintenance, cleaning, property upkeep, shopping, and household financial management; Scheduled routines; Regularly scheduled meetings; Overnight awake routines as neededTo complete all required training in a timely mannerTo complete all required paperwork and records in a timely mannerTo communicate and advocate effectively with doctors and other professionalsTo accompany core people on vacations and community trips when neededTo undertake other duties as needed
QualificationsDesire to work with, to learn from, and to relate to people with intellectual disabilitiesDesire to work in an interdenominational Christian communityIndependence, initiative and maturity as demonstrated by:Ability to share responsibility for managing a home; Ability to work cooperatively and constructively as part of a team; Ability to take responsibility for health and safety of others; Ability to work with diverse individualsTrustworthy and responsibleSturdy emotional dispositionCreativity, flexibility, attention to detail, and ability to organizetimeAbility to learn about intellectual disabilities, mental health, health disorders, and related physical conditions and treatment approachesAbility to learn and implement simple nursing care, first aid skills, behavior management strategies, personal and environmental hygiene,etc. xzbcwsv Ability to learn and complete online and paper documentationPhysically able to fulfill direct care responsibilities; including ability to transfer adults from wheelchairs to vehicles, beds, etc. and to lift wheelchairs into and out of vehiclesAbility to commit for minimum of oneyearStrong verbal and written English communication skillsSatisfactory criminal background checkNon-usage of illegal drugs on or off the jobSpanish proficiency highly desirable18 years of age or olderHigh School diploma or equivalent; college education preferredHealth certification permitting assumption of roleProof of U.S. citizenship or visa status permitting employment in the U.S.Valid driver’s license and ability to drive comfortably in the city preferred
L’Arche Greater Washington DC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.