Disability Worker

Job location: South End Halifax

I am an individual currently hiring one disability support position to start as soon as possible. I am not looking for a "caregiver", CCA or "homecare" worker. Frequently, attitudes of people trained in these professions are that they know more about what I need than I do, which is simply not true, regardless of someone's formal training or years of experience.

I make all the decisions about my own healthcare, personal care, daily schedule, food, and every aspect of my life. This job requires listening to me and what I would like, and then helping me with it.

Being able to show you can do this is more important than certifications. Community and personal experience is preferred and prioritized over CCA or nursing experience.

• 1 part time Disability support worker (1-2 shifts/week)
• A relief role is also available. These don't have guaranteed hours. They fill in when other staff are sick or need time off. They often lead to regular permanent (part time) hours shortly.

Regular shifts are needed on Tuesday 5:30 - 10:30/11 pm and potentially Sundays 4:30-11 pm.

Monday and Tuesday mornings (8:30 am - 2:30 pm) are needed for only the month of January.

Other shifts in a typical Week that may come open:

• AM/Day shifts: 8:30am-2:30/3pm on weekdays, 9 am - 3 pm on weekends.
• Evening shifts: 5:30 pm-10:30/11pm
• Start and end times may be earlier or later than this with my personal and work schedule.

Who am I ?

I am an 37 year old queer, trans, power wheelchair user with a g-tube and catheter. I live on my own with my cat, work an office job and do my own contract work, sing in a choir, and volunteer.

How to apply?

Submit your resume and the answers to the Questions through the indeed application. Answers can be short, but be specific about your experience and skills. Use your own words I'm trying to get to know you, not chatgpt or other AI. Blank responses or ones that look AI generated are typically rejected automatically.

Q: Why are you interested in this job and what relevant experience (work, volunteer, or life experience) do you have that is not described on your resume?

Q: What is your experience with disability community? (The focus of this role is support in the community context.)

Q: What is your experience/ familiarity with queer and trans community or topics?

Q: What email can we reach you at? (Indeed messaging is not always sending. If you do not fill this out, we may not be able to contact you. )

Q: Ensure you indicate your availability for shifts and any preferred hours.

Q: These roles are meant to be permanent, so long term commitment is prioritized (6 months or longer) and a Minimum of 6 weeks commitment is required. 6 weeks notice is required to end the contract to allow time to recruit a replacement. Can you commit to both of these?

Deadline for applications: as soon as possible. Assessed as received.

Description

This position is a support role for me (the employer) to go about my daily life as a disabled person. It is important that the person in this role sees themselves as taking my lead and helping with what I ask, rather than "caring for me", treating me like a hospital patient or expecting direction from a healthcare team. (I am not your "patient".)

Must be open to doing things differently. On-the-job training will be provided by the employer.

Candidates must mask while inside the home. The work environment is queer and trans friendly, sex and body positive, and scent and smoke free (with the exception of medicinal marijuana vapour and mild natural scents).

This position is great for people who can work somewhat flex hours, enjoy working one-on-one, and want to be a part of building a culture of community that prioritizes the choices and assets of people with disabilities.

Responsibilities:

• Tube feeding preparation and cooking and baking (gluten and dairy free).
• Assisting with medication management. (Crushing tablets and administering through a g tube. Preparing medicinal marijuana.)
• Providing assistance with toileting, including emptying a catheter, preparing for the day and nighttime with bathing, dressing, and personal grooming.
• Accompaniment on trips for social and recreational events, appointments, errands (i.e. grocery shopping) using the Carshare, taxi or Access-a-Bus.
• General house management, keeping track of cleaning, organization, and laundry.
• Support with positioning, transfers, physio exercises and stretching.
• Administrative support, note taking.

Requirements:

• Reliable, dependable, punctual.
• Able to follow verbal and written communications from me, the employer, on what I need.
• Comfortable with providing personal care, food preparation, household tasks, and handling medications according to my instructions.
• Capable of light lifting (ex. laundry and groceries.)
• Comfortable asking me questions and can learn tasks and routines easily.
• Organized with strong time-management skills.
• Open to feedback and working collaboratively with me.
• Able to multitask and work independently as needed.
• Positive and easy-going.
• Prioritizes me, the person with a disability, making decisions and choices in all aspects of my support needs.
• Flexible to changes in routines and remains calm in new situations.
• Will take pride in keeping my home clean and tidy.
• Able to prioritize my needs before their own and make this role a priority.
• Comfortable with respectful queer and trans language and demonstrates a willingness to learn.
• Familiar with person centered, community language around support work. (Ex. Person with a disability is your employer, not a "patient".)

Required upon hiring:

• Valid first aid and CPR.
• Up to date vaccinations.
• Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check upon hiring.

Assets: (helpful, but not necessary)

• Experience with disability community.
• Experience with queer and trans community.
• Comfortable cooking gluten-free and dairy-free.
• Experience or familiarity with feeding tubes, catheters, and/or medications.
• Likes to organize things.
• Open to travel and overnight shifts for trips out of the city or province. These are rare, but they do come up. If they do happen, staff do not need to be vigilantly awake at night.
• Basic knowledge of any household maintenance skills (such as sewing or putting up a shelf).
• Familiar with medicinal marijuana and vaping.
• Has a driver's license, clean driving record, and reliable access to transportation.

Pay rate: $ % vacation pay

This position is funded through the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors and Long Term Care and Department of Opportunities and Social Development, which provide funding to people with disabilities to hire their own personal support workers.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $22.00-$24.00 per hour

Application question(s):

• What experience or familiarity do you have with queer and trans communities?
• What email can we reach you at?
• Why are you interested in this job and what relevant experience do you have (life experience, volunteer, work)?
• What experience or familiarity do you have with people with disabilities, especially people living in community?
• These are permanent roles. Applicants who can commit to 6 months or longer will be prioritized. A minimum of 6 weeks commitment is required. Due to funding and health risks, 6 weeks notice is required to end the contract. Can you commit to both of these?
• What is your availability for shifts? Please include availability for the needed shifts listed in the ad.

Work Location: In person