Caregiver

Job Description

Job Description

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY.

Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona. 

DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.

DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

CAREGIVER

Job Location:

• Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) 2800 North Highway 87, Coolidge, Arizona, 85128

Posting Details:

• Salary: $41,288.00. 
• Grade: 14.

Job Summary:

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES), we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals that are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Caregiver. This position requires an individual to coach, teach, mentor and provide direct support to members who have Developmental Disabilities (i.e., autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability or epilepsy) ranging from mild to profound. The majority of services are designed to meet personal needs of members in Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) and group home settings. DDD provides individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families, services and supports that are flexible, high quality, and member driven. These services provide individuals with opportunities to exercise their rights and responsibilities of independent decision-making and engagement in the community. 

Applicants for this position cannot be licensed or certified by the DDD Office of Licensing Certification and Regulation, cannot have a principal interest in or have a spouse or close family with principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement, and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for the personal care (e.g. bathing, toileting, dressing, personal hygiene), health, safety and general well-being of members encouraging as much independence as possible. Provides recreational, medical and leisure opportunities at home and in the community. Drives a transport vehicle, operates a lift, if needed, assists members with safety requirements including seat belts and shoulder belts. Ensures safety and stability of a wheelchair in the vehicle using tie downs.
• Implements Person Centered Service Plan (PCSP) programs and strategies, records and occasionally compiles data, writes progress and communication notes. Encourages development of new skills while maintaining present skills. Implements therapeutic recommendations that may include positioning, sensory activities and exercises.
• Completes incident reports and notifies the member's guardian of the incident, if needed. Responds to members' emergency situations by calling for assistance and providing emergency intervention until medical help arrives; assists in coordinating the emergency response plan and follows the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the member.
• Orders, logs, dispenses, administers and stores medications of members according to doctor's orders upon successful completion of the appropriate 16-hour medication technician or medication administration course. When assigned, perform shift lead responsibilities which may include organizing and implementing shift tasks, staff assignments, and members schedules. 
• Occasionally completes assigned light housekeeping duties (e.g., sweeping, mopping, dusting, bed-making, empty  trash, wash dishes, clothes washing, disinfecting therapy equipment and wheelchairs).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Cleaning and basic housekeeping.
• Human rights.
• Providing personal care.
• Planning processes.
• Basic cooking.

Skills In:

• Using computer (including email), and managing time and work.
• Planning activities designed to meet specific needs of individual members.
• Communicating with members verbally and / or through sign language.
• Advocating for members.
• Participating in implementing Person Centered Service Plan (PCSP).

Ability to:

• Read and write in English; understand and follow spoken and written directions.
• Display compassion with respect to others.
• Attend staff training and apply the basic principles of program training and data collection designed to meet the specific needs of the members during medication administration.
• Learn and use computer systems (e.g. timesheet entry, computer based trainings).
• Learn and perform proper lifting techniques, general body mechanics, and behavior support techniques.

Selective Preference(s):
The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Applicant must be 18 years of age to apply.
• The ability to read and write in English.
• The ability to work weekends, holidays, overtime, and change work locations, when necessary.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to Driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operated a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) (R2-10-201.11).
• Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1968 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Department of Child Safety Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
• Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans.
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans.
• 10 paid holidays per year.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan.
• Wellness plans.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Stipend Opportunities.
• Infant at Work Program.
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy.
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

Contact Us:

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact us Johanna Valdiviezo at View phone number on ziprecruiter.com or View email address on ziprecruiter.com.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting View phone number on ziprecruiter.com or View email address on ziprecruiter.com. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.