Lifeworks is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants for all positions without regard to to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or vetran status,or any other legally protected status.

CSA Job Description

Purpose

A CSA’s role is to work as a team member, providing instruction and support to people with developmental disabilities who are receiving services from Life Works. CSA’s are expected to know and understand Life Works policies, mission and the residential service guidelines and how to incorporate the principles they represent into daily support for people with disabilities. CSA’s are responsible for supporting individuals to participate in the full range of activities that make up their life in the community, including those activities both at home and in their neighborhoods and communities necessary to establish a lifestyle in alignment with the person’s goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Providing Support to People

Assist clients, on a day-to-day basis, to engage in activities of their choice. CSA’s are crucial to the process of supporting people to identify their range of choices, the expected consequences of those choices and the variety of methods for personally implementing their choices.

Provide instruction and support with day-to-day living in the areas and methods identified in the person’s Individual Instruction and Support Plan. Supports provided will reflect respect and dignity. Lifts and transfers clients who need such assistance.

Provide assistance to arrange transportation for day-to-day living.

Interacts with each client on an on-going basis; becomes familiar with behavior specific to each client, whether verbal or non-verbal, physically active or restricted; intervenes when known physical or verbal signs indicate the client is escalating into a problem behavior.

Remain alert to changes in each client's health; identify any need for medical attention; monitor seizures, check breathing and length, call for medical assistance if needed.

Advocates for clients, providing additional support so they can acquire personal needs and interact socially with families and friends.

Use informal and formal teaching methods to provide instruction to clients to increase their competence, self-reliance and ability to make informed choices.

Assist, as needed, in the development of positive behavior support plans.

Complete all documentation as assigned by the Coordinator or other designated leader. This includes: (1) keeping daily communication in the Therap system among other CSA’s, Lead Staff, Assistant Coordinators, Program Coordinators, etc.; (2) recording the results of medical treatments ordered by medical professionals; and (3) maintaining accurate and timely records of the individual’s taking all medications prescribed by medical professionals.

Assist or administer medications to clients. CSA’s must be nurse delegated to administer medications to clients who are not physically able to self-administer.

Completes yard work and/or minor repairs at agency maintained sites as assigned.

Assist clients with money handling and budgeting; may write checks for client personal items, receives funds for client, and deposits clients’ funds; may confirm that client check registers are true and correct.

May physically escort or restrain a client as described in Right Response training, using the specified restrictive method in the event of challenging behaviors which pose a threat to clients or others.

Treats all clients with respect and dignity.

Gains confidence of client and their family through good communications and trust.

Adopts a positive attitude to new demands and is optimistic of accepting necessary change.

Is articulate, clear, concise and effective in communicating with others.

Writes in a clear and comprehensive way.

Demonstrates the willingness to develop relationships with coworkers by acting in ways that promote mutual respect, trust, learning and acceptance.

Key Technical Skills and Knowledge

Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent

Demonstrate an understanding of Life Works policies, mission and the residential service guidelines and an ability to incorporate those principles into the daily performance of job duties.

Establish proof of insurability, according to agency automobile insurance policy, have a current Washington State driver’s license and good driving record (this applies to driving staff only).

Have current certification in First Aid and CPR or secure within thirty (30) days from hire. Obtain other certifications as required.

Able to pass a criminal background check and/or the Child Protective Service Registry.

Able to exercise good judgment and common sense.

Able to communicate honestly and honor commitments.

Can demonstrate the ability, responsibility and emotional stability to support people to meet their needs.

Demonstrate a willingness to improve individual and team performance and processes.

Ability to learn how to and perform a physical restraint or escort hold.

Ability to assist another staff person in physically transferring an adult in and out of a wheelchair.

AmeriCorp, Peace Corp, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Benefits Available To Eligible Employees / Starting Pay $11.40 to 12.25 per hr

Medical and Dental Insurance

Employees who have successfully passed their 90-day training period and who are full-time status are eligible for medical and dental insurance.

Section 125

The Agency offers employees with full-time status the opportunity to participate in the Section 125 plan, which provides added tax benefits to participants. Eligible employees shall attend an enrollment meeting where they can receive information on the Medical Reimbursement and Dependent Care Reimbursement savings accounts, as well as options to self- purchase disability and other insurance plans offered during open enrollment

Retirement Account

The Agency sponsors a 401k retirement plan to support employees to save for future retirement. Employees may be eligible to contribute part of their wages to the retirement plan on a pre-tax basis. The Agency may contribute a percentage of an employee’s wages on an annual basis upon approval of the Board of Directors.

Full-Time PTO Accrual and Eligibility

Employees must successfully complete a 90-day training period, which begins from their official date of hire (DOH). Once a Full-time employee has passed the 90-day training period they are automatically eligible for PTO at the Full-time rate. All PTO will be paid at the employee’s base wage and will not include any hourly wage add-ons such as Behavior pay or Night pay.