Do you love to use your creativity and problem-solving skills to assist others in living their best lives? We need you! Come work at Anixter and support adults with mental health needs in residential and community settings.

Summary

Provide direct support to adults with mental health concerns in a residential setting to enhance safety, quality of life, and promote independence. Working hours are dependent upon program needs. Position may have rotating shifts that include weekdays, weekends, and overnights.

Essential Duties

• Engage and assist with completing all daily living activities, including personal, medical, community, hygiene, financial, recreation and general safety.
• Administer medications and document all related activities in accordance with related Medication Policies and Procedures.
• Complete and/or assist all housekeeping tasks including cleaning bathrooms, kitchen, and client rooms; washing dishes/ doing laundry; dusting surfaces; cleaning refrigerator/stove, and all other duties assigned by manager(s) director.
• Report and document issues with clients regarding overall heath, medication, dental and mental health concerns to manager(s) and/or the agency nurse.
• Implement dynamic, person-centered client programming across multiple domains, including but not limited to independent living skills, social/emotional development; communication, problem-solving, vocational development, and safety.
• Assist in planning and directly implementing ongoing community-based activities in accordance with individual client goals and preferences.
• Ensure timely completion of all paperwork.
• Ensure adherence to all mandated reporter, OIG guidelines, accreditation and DHS guidelines.
• Implement positive and proactive techniques and interventions as identified to assist people with mental health needs.
• Collaborate with co-workers (shift-to-shift) and/or manager(s) regarding member needs and concerns on a daily basis.
• Maintain a neat, orderly, and safe work environment.
• Participate in all required on- and off-site training upon hire and as routinely required.
• Maintain professional communication with co-workers and manager(s) as well as clients’ parents/guardians, employers, staff, and other stakeholders, as needed.
• Maintain agency mandated trainings deemed mandatory or relevant by Anixter Center.
• Provide transportation in agency vehicle and attend client health care appointments, if necessary.
• Be flexible and able to change tasks if needed.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to multi-task in a high stress environment.
• Ability to interact with diverse personalities
• Ability to participate in and meet all Department of Human Services and related training requirements.

Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
• DSP certified required for shifts at North Shore CILA
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification; must be able to obtain certification within six months of employment (provided by agency).

Experience Required:

• Minimum of 1 years' experience working with individuals who are experiencing mental health concerns.

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

• Capable of navigating the use of public transportation system (CTA/RTA/Metra).

Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift / carry 35 pounds.
• Physical capacity to assist in behavior management.
• Physical capacity to assist with activities of daily living (including taking clients to the toilet) in-house or community.
• Ability to walk and/or push wheelchair in various terrains and circumstances, physically able to use public transportation and assist clients physically in use of the transportation system.

Environment

• Client support may take place in a variety of settings including indoor and outdoor areas in various weather conditions. Staff must adapt to situations as needed.