Respite Worker

**Residential Respite Provider**

The Resiential RRespite Provider will support individuals with exceptionalities/special needs during periods of respite in a residential home or community based setting. To assist with these goals, Active Lives offers programming that covers leisure, recreation, volunteer opportunities and continuing education. Our Professionals will help facilitate relationships, skills and roles which promote our participant's effective participation in the typical and valued life within the community of Dufferin County.

**Are you an EA looking for more hours?**

**Do you want to make a difference in your community?**

**Are you tired of going to a 9-to-5 job?**

**If so, Active Lives might be for you**

Active Lives Day Program is a post-secondary and respite organization for adults with exceptionalities/special needs. The program serves children and adults 12 years of age and older with Autism, Fragile X, Down syndrome, Deaf, Blind, Pervasive Developmental Disorders and other Neurological Disorders.

**Our Mission statement is as follows**:
“ACTIVE LIVES is a fully inclusive day program and Respite provider. We believe all individuals deserve and have a right to be active and visible within their community by involving local organizations. We also believe through continuing education, physical activity, volunteering, implementing life and job skills participants can lead meaningful and purposeful lives.”

Active Lives has collaborated with many organizations within our community to introduce a variety of job skills. We are currently affiliated with Big Brother/Big Sisters, the Ontario Food Bank, the ReStore, the Orangeville Library, Lulu’s Hair Salon and many more. Our participants have acquired skills such as stocking shelves, greeting patrons, washing hair and administrative tasks.
- Provides direct care to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities by supporting participants through the day's activities and assisting with fine and gross motor delays, social skills and communications (ie. augmentative & ASL).
- Develop lesson plans, prepares and organizes materials needed for program activities.
- Teach and assists participants with the various activities planned throughout the day.
- Performs personal care tasks, including assistance with basic personal hygiene and grooming, feeding, and ambulation, medical monitoring, and health care related tasks.
- Supporting high needs individuals through crisis.
- Fosters positive relationships between fellow participants, caretakers and individuals served.
- Supporting individuals out in the community during activities such as hiking, bowling, or going to the movies.
- You may be required to drive a company vehicle.
- You may be entering clients' homes and must maintain respectful and professional boundaries.
- Encourages self-help activities.
- Maintains a safe environment and ensures client safety.
- Reports changes in client’s condition or family situation to supervisor and/or RPN.
- Completes reports such as Incident Reports, program review reports and data sheets
- Carries out all Health & Safety policies and procedures to ensure participant and staff safety and well being.
- Implements COVID-19 cleaning protocols, policies & procedures.

**Qualifications**:
Job Requirements:

- Completion of a Human Services Diploma from a recognized Community College or University or a Personal Support Worker certificate from a recognized Community College; OR
- Completion of Ontario Secondary School (or equivalent) and 1 year of related experience.
- **Previous experience working or volunteering with individuals that have a developmental exceptionality is considered a major asset.**:

- Work experience in group settings such as day programs, schools, daycares or assisted living homes.
- As a condition of employment, all employees must be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. To be considered up to date, individuals must meet the suggested government guidelines for their age group. Where a person is unable to vaccinate for human rights protected reasons, an accommodation may be provided.
- As a condition of employment, all employees must have a clear criminal record check with vulnerable sector screening.

Core Competencies:

- Excellent observational/scanning skills
- Ability to work as part of team and/or independently
- Excellent verbal & written communication skills
- Strong problem-solving abilities
- Resourceful
- Emotionally intelligent
- ASL (American Sign Language) would be a definite asset
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Proficiency on various social media platforms
- Must have a driver's license class G
- Experience working with adults with special needs
- Ability to ensure the safety and security of all the participants and staff
- Willingness to work with participants with different needs and capabilities
- Ability to work with families and independently

We look forward to hearing from you

**Job Types**: F