Respite Worker

The Respite worker carries out all the duties associated with providing care for individuals on behalf of program clients under contract with DDS for Family Support Services. Respite is a closed referral service that must be authorized by the area office. In addition, this person is responsible for identifying and accessing resources to support and assist the program participants and their families, and for maintaining direct communication with DDS directly (when appropriate) and supervisory staff, as well as the Assistant Director.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Respite work is designed to provide but is not limited to relief for caregivers, and provide social and recreational opportunities for clients. These activities should be part of a support plan approved by DDS and they should assist the client in gaining resiliency, independency, and developing social skills. The candidate should be able to provide assistance and expertise in a variety of areas. It is anticipated there be a relationship built between the staff, client, and the family in order to be responsive to family stressors as they arise and provide quality service to the client.

• Program Management: Responsible for maintaining program quality. This includes, but is not limited to: participating in staff orientation and training, client performance and monitoring, and ensuring adherence to the service plan and family needs. The Respite Worker is also responsible for maintaining accurate documentation of their interaction with clients and family members. The visit should be documented on the Respite Service Report Sheet.
• CENTRO Respite Services' purpose is to provide the primary caretaker with an opportunity to attend to his or her own personal needs or take a break from the routine care and supervision of his or her family member affected by developmental disabilities.
• A respite worker will come into the consumer's home for a specified time. The respite worker can engage the DDS member in activities within the home, take them on a social or recreational outing, accompany them to a meeting or appointment, or simply stay with the consumer while the primary caretaker leaves the home.
• Provide respite and relief for the family and/or the primary in-home caregivers of the assigned

DDS consumers.

• Provide for the specific care needs that are unique to the individual consumer.
• Measure effectiveness of addressing specific care needs through data collection in ISP, Safety

Assessment, attendance/service report logs, and time sheets.

• Measurable satisfaction of in-home caregivers (receiving respite) and consumers through the addressing of specific care needs. It will be reported in annual satisfaction questionnaires and semi-annual quality control calls.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Written and oral communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Knowledgeable of developmental disabilities
• Able to work in group collaboration, as well as independently
• Self-motivated
• Resourceful
• Able to meet deadlines
• Able to multi-task
• Bi-lingual preferred

Education & Experience:

• Minimum High School diploma or GED
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact and work with parents and clients with developmental disabilities.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to be physically mobile
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, copier, or telephone, and the ability to write/type
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds occasionally
• Able to attend meetings, and conferences within the region both virtually and in person.
• Able to write reports

Mandated Reporter Statute: An individual in this position is considered a “Mandated Reporter” when on, or off duty according to MA Statutes