SUMMARY OF POSITION

Mainstream Living provides services designed to enhance opportunities, create success and fulfill dreams.  The purpose of this position is to provide services and supports in residential community settings to persons with intellectual disabilities and brain injuries.  All personnel are expected to promote a safe and welcoming, home-like environment that inspires hope and supports members with their individual goals and aspirations.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Education:  Prefer High School Diploma or Equivalency/HiSet/GED, not required

Experience:  Human Service Experience is preferred but not required.

Driving:  This position requires possession of valid Driver’s License, legal driving privileges and 

ability in the State of Iowa and qualification with Mainstream Living’s underwriter as an insurable

driver. Exceptions to this may be made for select shifts, e.g., overnight shifts.

Other Certification:  n/a

Computer:  Basic data entry skills required.

Post hire:  Must demonstrate competencies to complete internal training, including training to

pass medication.

General:  All employees must work diligently to incorporate the spirit and intent of the

Mainstream Living’s mission, vision and values.  This includes respectful communication to all

others at all times.  Employees must be able to establish a rapport and develop positive

relationships with others while conducting themselves in line with the Mainstream Living’s Code

of Ethics.  Employees must also: demonstrate consistent professional conduct and establish

and maintain appropriate boundaries with others; take accountability for own work while

demonstrating a willingness to accept responsibility and offer constructive recommendations;

demonstrate dependability and flexibility when shift times or duties of the day change; apply

common sense to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form; and ensure that the

best interest of the members is a top priority at all times.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is considered an essential health care worker position and in the event of an emergency may be required to work one-on-one with members to ensure their safety.

• Provide an appropriate level of supervision to members as outlined in their plan of services.
• Assist in identifying, developing and facilitating opportunities that reflect the members’ skills, needs, and interests.

• Incorporate members’ service plan into daily routine by providing support, supervision and encouragement according to their established supports and individualized goals.
• Facilitate and conduct activities in the community for members’ leisure, medical and other needs, including assisting with shopping.
• Identify, monitor, educate and correct physical or environmental barriers and hazards in members’ environment.
• Monitor and address member well being and health needs. 
• Monitor side effects and effectiveness of medications; report concerns and/or  exacerbation in member symptoms immediately.
• Notify supervisory and nursing personnel when a member is injured or a health change or decline is observed. 
• Respectfully communicate with members and their family, guardians, Case Managers, and other stakeholders in a manner appropriate to each individual.
• Honor members’ rights, including but not limited to choice, privacy and confidentiality.
• Allow and facilitate situations for members to make choices about their day to day life activities.  
• Complete member service documentation in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner required to meet billing and productivity requirements. 
• Maintain a clean environment by facilitating and completing tasks required to maintain a clean and safe living environment, including deep cleaning, home upkeep, and light maintenance tasks.
• Meet member nutritional needs as outlined in member supervision plan, including facilitating or completion of following menu, food portion and meal preparation.
• Contribute to a non judgemental, value neutral culture where each individual, member or coworker, are treated with respect and active inclusion. 

Adherence to Policies and Procedures: 

All employees will adhere to Mainstream Living’s policies and procedures including but not limited to:

• Personnel Policies and Policy manuals.
• Attendance is an essential duty.  Attend and work shifts as scheduled.  Adhere to Mainstream Living’s Attendance Policies for time off, on-call and attendance to training/staff meetings.
• Follow medication and medical policy and procedures to include: administration, record keeping, identification of medication, purpose, therapeutic intent and adverse reactions, and self-administration of medication.
• Follow documentation procedures to include accurate, honest and timely completion.
• Follow health and safety practices per Mainstream Living’s policies including participation in emergency procedures, drills, proper infection control, accident/injury prevention, etc.
• Follow vehicle policies for safe operation of Mainstream Living’s vehicles and safe transport of members/others if in driving position. 
• Keep supervisor informed of critical and non-routine events.  Communication is constructive, effective, and timely.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to enable employees with a disability to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: While performing this job, employees must be able to meet the physical demands required to complete essential functions of this position and meet member needs in their home environment. Employees will be required to lift 15-25 pounds on a frequent basis.  Depending on member needs and in some work locations, employees may be required to assist with ambulation, lifting and transferring of members, generally with the use of adaptive equipment such as gait belts, walkers, wheelchairs, mechanical lifts, etc.  Thus, there may be times the employee must lift up to 50lbs and rarely up to 100lbs if working in sites with members requiring ambulation assistance.  

OSHA CLASSIFICATION

This position is considered a Classification I in regard to jobs in which required tasks routinely involve a potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids, tissues or potential spills or splashes.  Additionally, there is possible exposure to cleaning chemicals.   Use of appropriate measures is required for every health care provider.