Community Living and Support Services Paraprofessional

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Community Living and Support is a personalized or group service that helps the waiver beneficiary live successfully in their own home, a family home, or with natural supports while being an active member of the community. The goal of this service is to improve or maintain the beneficiary’s life skills or provide the necessary supervision to empower them to reside in their family or natural support system, or their primary residence. It aims to maximize their self-sufficiency, increase self-determination, and provide the beneficiary with more opportunities to fully participate in their community. Community Living and Support helps the beneficiary learn, practice, and enhance existing skills.

JOB DESCRIPTION

A paraprofessional assists the beneficiary in learning new skills and supports them in activities tailored to their preferences. Typically, shifts last 2-4 hours, and the schedule remains consistent throughout the authorization period. Staff must complete documentation after each shift. Staff will be trained by their supervisor, including several required online trainings and one in-person session, all of which must be finished before working with clients.

Areas of support:
• Assistance in monitoring health conditions
• Nutrition or physical condition
• Incidental supervision
• Daily living skills
• Community participation
• Interpersonal skills

Specific Responsibilities:
• Follow through on the individual’s Person-Centered Plan (PCP).
• Provide assistance, modeling, encouragement, and instruction while helping the client reach their goal.
• Responsible for written documentation of the individual’s performance, including progress evaluations, training strategies, and newly developed goals.
• Responsible for safely transporting the client if needed.

Professional Competencies
• Communication- The Support Professional builds trust and productive relationships with people they support, co-workers, and others through respectful and clear verbal and written communication.
• Person-Centered Practices-The Support Professional uses person-centered practices, assisting individuals to make choices and plan goals, and provides services to help individuals achieve their goals.
• Evaluation and Observation-The Support Professional closely monitors an individual’s physical and emotional health, gathers information about the individual, and communicates observations to guide services.
• Crisis Prevention and Intervention-The Support Professional identifies risk and behaviors that can lead to a crisis, and uses effective strategies to prevent or intervene in the situation in collaboration with others.
• Professionalism and Ethics-The Support Professional works professionally and ethically, maintaining confidentiality and respecting individual and family rights.
• Health and Wellness-The Support Professional plays a vital role in helping individuals to achieve and maintain good physical and emotional health essential to their well-being.
• Community Inclusion and Networking-The Support Professional helps individuals to be a part of the community through valued roles and relationships and assists individuals with major transitions that occur in community life.

REQUIREMENTS

• At least 18 years old
• If providing transportation, have a valid North Carolina or other valid driver’s license, a safe driving record, and an acceptable level of automobile liability insurance
• Criminal background checks present no health and safety risk to the beneficiary
• Not listed in the North Carolina Health Care Abuse Registry
• Qualified in CPR and First Aid
• Qualified in alternatives to restrictive interventions
• Qualified in the customized needs of the beneficiary as described in the ISP
• High school diploma or high school equivalency (GED)