In-Home Support Worker

Job Description

Job Description

About the Program

We support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a variety of community-based living options as they pursue independence, live with dignity, and engage as full members of their communities. In a world that is not equally optimized for everyone’s success, we believe every person is entitled to receive resources, supports, and opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.

HopeWell’s In Home Supports Program participants live independently, and many of them are parenting independently as well. We collaborate with individuals to build skills toward leading happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives that align with their life goals and promote integration into their community.

Who We Are Looking For 

We're seeking a compassionate collaborator who thrives on developing an authentic partnership to support individuals as they identify goals, build life skills, and navigate opportunities and barriers that come up along the way. The ideal candidate brings a blend of empathy and organizational excellence with strong communication skills and attention to detail. Your innovative thinking helps you navigate challenges with creative solutions, and your resilience keeps you focused when circumstances evolve. Most importantly, you're driven by a genuine passion for empowering individuals with different abilities to live their fullest lives with dignity. If you believe that people are the experts of their own lives and see yourself as both an advocate and enabler of positive change, you might be exactly who we're looking for.

The Impact You Will Create 

The In Home Supports Worker is responsible for supporting individuals in HopeWell’s In Home Support program to live as independently as possible within their community. This involves assessing individuals’ unique needs, promoting skill building, and making connections to resources and external support services. We achieve our goals by implementing industry best practices, creating innovative solutions to complex problems, and employing staff who care deeply about individuals, our mission, and our values. 

Your Impact Will Include (Job Responsibilities)

• Collaborate with supervisor, Family Support Specialist, and individuals to set goals in the areas of daily living, career needs, social and recreational activities, and where relevant, parenting. 
• Participate in the development and implementation of the Individuals’ Service Plan (ISP) reflecting the individual’s preferences, goals, lifestyles, and interests. Be knowledgeable and adhere to their individualized Vision, Assessments, and Goals/Implementation Strategies that are listed in the ISP.
• Develop a positive relationship and a partnership strategy with each individual and meet individuals, and where relevant their children, in their home or community to provide direct support, coaching, and intervention to increase self-sufficiency and goal attainment.
• Support individuals in scheduling and attending all necessary appointments and services as well as community activities for themselves, and where relevant, their children. This may include providing transportation for the individual. Where relevant, refer to new services as needed.
• Create teaching moments and foster the acquisition, retention, or improvement of skills related to personal finance, health, shopping, use of community resources, community safety, and other social and adaptive skills to live in the community. This may also include training and education in self-determination and self-advocacy, enabling individuals to acquire skills to exercise control and responsibility over the services and supports they receive, and to become more independent, integrated, and productive in their communities.
• Complete accurate and up to date written documentation and reports as required for recordkeeping related to service delivery and billing.
• Adhere to all safety standards, Federal and State regulations, agency and corporate policies.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders, including but not limited to DDS service coordinators, medical providers, case workers, social workers, courts, and schools.
• Actively participate in program and agency internal (e.g., supervision, collaborating with colleagues, caregiver & staff meetings, town halls) and external meetings (e.g. collaborating with other providers, external committee meetings) both in person and virtually as assigned.
• Provide ongoing assessment of individual well-being and develop plans to ensure safety and de-escalate crisis as needed.
• Provide on-call coverage and crisis management that ensures individuals’ well-being. Notify and consult with program leadership, DDS, and other stakeholders where appropriate. 
• Develop and implement projects that support service delivery (e.g. newsletters, workshops, etc.)

The Expertise We Can't Do Without (Qualifications)

• BA in human services field or High School Diploma/associate degree plus 2 years relevant experience. MA degree in human service field a plus.
• 6 months’ relevant experience.

Additional Skills That Set You Apart (Competencies)

• Excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and strong organizational and time management skills; demonstrated ability to be flexible, resourceful, and juggle multiple tasks and priorities
• A high level of professionalism in work and interpersonal interactions with both internal and external contacts; presents to others as organized, informed, reliable, dependable and approachable
• Able to work independently as well as a member of a diverse, multidisciplinary team; collaborative and open-minded; welcomes constructive feedback; incorporates opinions of others and practices the art of compromise
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations
• Computer skills to perform essential functions
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to build rapport and trusting relationships with individuals and caregivers and other professionals
• High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work and demonstrated ability to effectively organize, plan, and prioritize work; desire to learn and grow professionally and comfortable asking questions
• Must be comfortable working in community settings (e.g. individual’s homes, in the community).
• Empathy and desire to work with adults with developmental disabilities
• Demonstrates sound problem solving and decision making, and seeks assistance when necessary, especially when complex and unexpected situations arise; ensures all relevant parties have needed information in a timely manner

Other Essential Requirements

This role involves some home-based and community-based work, some office-based work, and some remote opportunities. During home and community visits there are possible environmental exposures including pets.

• Daily access to an automobile is required. 
• Driving is required in and out of the catchment area.
• A valid MA State Driver’s License.
• Remain current in all required trainings.
• Clearing of background checks as required by state and federal law.
• Staff schedules can shift over time as individual needs, staff caseloads, and program needs change.
• Some evening and weekend work as well as occasional in person emergency response outside of business hours may be required.
• Other duties as assigned to support quality care.

Physical Requirements and Working Environment

• Position requires the ability to perform community-based work in various settings including individuals’ homes and public spaces
• Must be able to navigate diverse environments including individual’s home, day and employment programs, and public spaces in the community while providing services, which may involve walking up and down multiple flights of stairs or significant distances in the community
• Regular travel between service locations required

Disclaimer Statement

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.