Job Summary

Responsible for maintaining a healthy, safe, and therapeutic environment for individuals served and following through on their individual plans of care. Which may entail providing hands-on assistance and guided assistance in a variety of areas relating to activities of daily living. These areas may include but not limited to: communication skills, home environment, personal hygiene, behavior management, nutrition and meal planning, employment, budgeting and school issues/attendance and recreation.

Essential Job Functions

Ensure the health and welfare of the individuals served
Assist individuals served with medication and treatment plans as needed
Assist individuals served in the care and cleaning of their home, including reporting of maintenance needs
Assist individuals served with money management including budgeting, banking, and shopping
Assist individuals served with daily life activities such as: meal preparation, reading usage, use of telephone, use of community services (post office, mass transportation), housekeeping, clothing care, self-care, and personal hygiene
Make food and non-food purchases for the home
Prepare meals
Provide crisis intervention as necessary
Complete all required documentation in accordance with applicable state agency(ies) and Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. policies and procedures
Implement behavioral and other programs as trained and requested
Assist individuals served with their goals as outlined in their plan of care document(s)
Identify potential behavior triggers and defuse or redirect as needed to ensure safety and well-being of all involved
Available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week
Provide individuals served transportation in personal vehicle as requested
Perform duties which directly relate to the health of the individuals served including, but not limited to: scheduling medical appointments including follow-up as well as attending appointments with consumers; monitoring medications to include reviewing MAR’s to ensure accuracy, ordering medications and discarding unused or expired medications; following up with other professionals, i.e. PT, OT, SLP, Nutritionist; following up with medical recommendations and communicating all to the Program Coordinator; ensuring all medical forms are completed in full before leaving the medical office, i.e. physical, dental, consults, lab reports, spy reviews, TD screenings, etc.; ensuring documentation of phone contact with medical providers and other professionals.
Ensure the welfare and safety of the individual served is being taken care of by making sure all food, supplies, and equipment are properly stored and cared for such as cleaning and medical supplies; making sure the home is clean and sanitary at all times to include the care and maintenance of the home and grounds;
Making sure every effort is made that the individual served is free from abuse, neglect, and mistreatment to include reporting all accidents, incidents and medication errors on the appropriate forms.
Monitor the individual’s served petty cash, budget requirements and expenditures by keeping track of receipts, monitoring the individual’s served spending and monitoring individual food stamp accounts.

Qualifications/Experience/Job Knowledge

At least 21 years of age due to auto liability coverage
Effectively read, write and communicate verbally in English and must be able to read and understand instructions, perform record-keeping and write reports
Meet and maintain all requirements of the applicable state agency(ies), including good standing with state abuse and neglect registry
Ability to learn basic computer skills (i.e. turn on/off, log in/out, input data, approve time sheet)
Prior experience as a direct support worker preferred

Physical Requirements

Constantly moves about to coordinate work
Regularly assist individuals served physically by lifting and positioning them as appropriate if needed
Constantly alert and aware to consumer’s needs
Occasionally exposed to viruses and infectious conditions

Assist with ensuring reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities or a medical condition to perform the essential functions.

Special Requirements

Represent Evergreen in public in a fashion that would reflect credibility and professionalism on the organization.
Desire to work with people with disabilities and enhance their quality of life
Function successfully in stressful situations
Demonstrate high moral standards so as to be a positive role model for individuals served
Complete all orientation and on the job training prior to starting work
Attend all training classes as required

Employment Variables

Must have a good driving record which meets the minimum requirements for Evergreen and reliable transportation. Must be able to pass drug screen and criminal background check.

Working Environment

Knowledge of community resources and ability to work as a team member · Belief in helping clients change their circumstances, not just adapt to them. · Belief in adoption as a viable means to build levels of independence for the person served. · Have an understanding regarding issues that are specific and unique to people with developmental and physical limitations.

May be required to work in a variety of settings and environments both indoors and outdoors; depending on the needs of the person served.

Evergreen Life Services

I want more than just a job.
I want to make a difference in people’s lives.
I want to make a difference in my community.

We want to make a difference too. Working at Evergreen Life Services isn’t just a job; it’s a rewarding career. Sometimes that reward is a smile or a song from a resident, sometimes it’s the reward of knowing you helped a resident to learn daily life skills, like setting a table or preparing a meal. It could be watching a resident make beautiful artwork in one of our studios. Every day you will have opportunities to help those with intellectual or physical disabilities feel that they are a part of a community that cares.

Whether you provide direct care in our adult day care or in a group home, or you serve in a support or corporate office role, you will be an important part of the Evergreen team.

We have nearly 2000 employees and more than 1100 individuals served in seven states, including Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida.

If you are looking for a place where you can make a difference, at Evergreen Life Services you will change lives. Every employee is a valuable part of the team, because at Evergreen, everyone matters.

Evergreen, in it's mission is to serve, provide for and champion individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is looking for qualified, caring individuals to work with us.