RESPITE PROVIDER (For a Lowell, MA home)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

COMMUNITY

• Implement activities in the community, promoting an atmosphere of acceptance where consumers are welcomed and present a positive image to the greater community.
• Serve as a role model and educator in the principles of normalization to the greater community.
• Encourage and promote self-advocacy skills.
• Identify new community resources that will promote the development of consumer skills and interests and/or meet their specific needs.

FAMILY

• Interact with families in a profession, courteous manner.
• Attend family, team and/ or other meetings as indicated.
• Act as a liaison between families and program staff. Educate families around program and community resources. Ensure requests for supports, respite agreements and/or other miscellaneous paperwork is completed and submitted in a timely manner.
• Promote and support self-advocacy skills.

CONSUMERS

• Provide a safe and positive environment where consumers can explore new pastimes, and are offered opportunities for growth and develop social skills.
• Interact with consumers in a professional, courteous manner, encouraging choices and development of advocacy skills.
• Encourage age appropriate, normalizing behavior in a sensitive and caring manner through modeling, redirection and conversation.
• Report any incident to supervisor immediately, with written documentation within twenty-four hours of occurrence.
• Maintain standards of consumer/ family confidentiality in accordance with Fidelity House Human Services policies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred in some cases
• Valid Drivers License (in most cases) and one year of driving experience
• Two years of experience with persons with disabilities preferred
• Specific clinical skills in specialized areas (hearing, visually, physically impaired, behavior management, medical needs, crisis intervention etc.) a plus
• Strong advocacy skills needed and the ability to work independently without direct supervision is required
• Regular and predictable attendance
• Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree (preferred) in Behaviorist, Psychology, or related field.