General Summary
Under the direction of the Supervisor, Crisis Residential Unit, the Direct Care Worker supports the individual goals of the person served and helps them become integrated into his/her community in the least restrictive manner. May assist in areas of activities of daily living, communication, cognitions, and health management. The Direct Care Worker works meets with consumers to appropriately engage, inspire, and facilitate meaningful conversations with to help them to identify interests, needs, strengths, goals, dreams, and aspirations while offering encouragement and empowerment through shared experience to enhance their recovery and resilience.
Essential Functions
Provides a welcoming, calm, courteous presence.Responsible for the care and welfare of all consumers in residence.Coordinates and maintains residents schedules and activities.Establishes collaborative relationships built on trust and empathy through consistent and meaningful communication.Responds to individuals in crisis with high level engagement and de-escalation skills which support a least restrictive environment for individuals experiencing an emergency related to a mental health challenge.Supports crisis prevention, intervention, and resolution.Monitors and ensures safety 24/7; this may be eyes on, one-on-one, 15- or 30-minute checks, etc.Passes medications and enters documentation per procedure into the Medication Administration section of the electronic medical record (EMR LEO is LifeWays EMR).Monitors consumers to ensure they take their medications and contact medical staff immediately if any side effects or negative reactions are noted.Helps person served with activities of daily living to include (but not limited to): get to and from places, dressed/undressed, bathe/shower, comb hair, trim nails, restroom assistance, and cooking.Assists person served to identify and/or participate in social activities (in-house), leisure interest and therapeutic activities.Demonstrates an ability to implement agency and consumer specific emergency procedures and interventions.Implements interventions as trained and outlined in the Individual Plan of Service (IPOS) and that are within scope of practice.Facilitates groups (didactic, psycho-educational, Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), etc.).Documents shift reports, incident reports, chart, and progress notes.Reviews social determinants of health (SDOH) and makes appropriate referrals to address needs and eliminate social barriers to recovery.Provides support to consumers and their affected family members to navigate the mental health system and help the consumer build natural and family support.Encourages consumers to develop coping skills and build and maintain community living skills as well as access community resources.Supports consumers to find and retain employment, education, volunteer work and meaningful activities that promote purpose and engagement in the community.Works as a part of a team that includes clinicians, RNs, psychiatrists, etc.Asks facilitative questions to help consumers gain insight into their own personal situations.Empowers consumers to find solutions for problems and concerns they are facing.Provides structure and support to promote personal progress and accountability.Actively participates in multidisciplinary team meetings and treatment planning meetings.Maintains regular and predictable attendance.Assists Mobile Crisis Team as needed.Must be able to safely perform all aspects of the Safety Care crisis intervention model, which includes therapeutic de-escalation skills, as well as therapeutic holds
NOTE: The lists of essential and additional functions are not exhaustive. They may be supplemented as necessary from time to time.
Job Specifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
Knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of all policies, procedures, and standards applicable to performance of duties.Basic knowledge of mental illness and or co-occurring disorders.
Skills
Ability to communicate expressively and receptively in order to follow IPOS requirements.Excellent interpersonal skills in order to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders (consumers, professionals, community members).Excellent time management skills in a setting with potential frequent interruptions; ability to coordinate multiple concurrent duties and perform tasks in an organized and timely manner, with attention to detail.Basic knowledge/proficiency of Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); and other relatable software (Power BI, etc.); and internet applications, including Electronic Medical Record. Ability to navigate LifeWays Intranet.Knowledge and ability to prevent/reduce transmission of communicable diseases

Abilities
Must be able to work night and weekend shifts.Ability to work in high-pressure, high-stress situations and a fast-paced environment.Ability to use good judgement to arrive at sound clinical decisions.Ability to learn quickly, ability to adjust to changes in job assignment, methods, personnel, or surroundings.Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.Successfully pass a physical.Successfully administer medications, without errors.
Required Education/Certification/Licensure
Has High school diploma or equivalent.Is at least 18 years of age.Must possess a valid U.S. motor vehicle operators license, and successfully complete motor vehicle record check.Upon hire must:
Become certified in First Aid and CPR with AEDBecome certified in agency approved de-escalation model (CPI, QBS, etc.)

Preferred Education/Certification/Licensure
Certified Nurse Aide or Certified Medical AssistantAssociates degree

Disclaimer
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity.