In Home Care Companion for non-speaking 24 year old with Autism M-F 12-6p

We are Looking for a companion/caregiver to join a great team for a 24-year-old in San Jose. He's a gentle-natured 5'11" 180 lb. non-speaking young adult. He was diagnosed with autism at an early age and more recently, with a genetic condition called STXBP1. His team cultivates a low-stress, joyful home environment and they are dedicated to being great friends with him. This looks like going on walks in the local community and parks and car drives together, playing music and listening to podcasts, reading books out loud to him, and continuing to introduce new experiences. It also means supporting Ian's communication skills on a letter board and doing hand over hand activities during food prep and daily chores to support his independence and motor skills development.

His care team is responsible for preparing his meals, attending to his hygiene needs, and some light housework including cleaning his laundry and dishes as well as keeping the space tidy. Team members administer his supplements and anti-seizure medication. He can have brief seizures when he's sleeping or napping that last 3-12 seconds and he needs a gentle presence with him. You would be trained how to be with him during a seizure.

We believe there are many ways humans communicate beyond verbal language and our ask is for a willingness and openness to the perspective that he understands what is happening around him even if he doesn't demonstrate it with verbal language or actions the way most humans do.

The ideal candidate:

• We ask candidates who apply to hold the perspective of presumed competence and has a willingness to listen to the podcast "The Telepathy Tapes."
• Has a genuine interest in building a relationship on trust and getting to know his interests and engaging in activities with him both indoors and outdoors
• Leads with qualities of curiosity, kindness and playfulness
• Will be attuned to listening to his non-verbal ways of communicating and tracking his needs
• Will initiate and support opportunities to integrate more independent skills during meal prep and household activities like folding and putting away laundry
• Is capable of supporting inconsistent balance and exerting physical effort to help move Ian from laying to sitting and from sitting to standing positions
• Has a desire to support communication with Ian on his letter board
• Is comfortable with hygiene assistance including showers and toileting needs
• Is an experienced driver with a clean driving record who can drive Ian in his van to outings
• Will be a good friend with an openness and curiosity to learn from him

Responsibilities:

• Provide companionship
• Initiate relational activities such as reading out loud, listening to podcasts or music, communicating through his letter board
• Prepare and support meals and snacks and invite him to participate with hand-over-hand
• Provide personal hygiene assistance including changing wet briefs, cleaning him after a BM and giving him showers. He requires full assistance with ADLs.
• Manage supplements and medications
• Washing clothes and bedding and care for his personal belongings
• Practicing hand over hand activities such as cooking and folding laundry to help support motor skills
• Take him on walks in the neighborhood or drives to outings
• Posting regular Slack updates (an app the team uses) during the shift

Please apply if this position looks interesting to you and you are available to work the following hours:

Monday thru Friday 12pm - 6pm

The team culture highly values clear communication, commitment to enhancing Ian's daily life, promptness for smooth transitions between shifts, and flexibility to cover each other's shifts to allow for time off.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Paid training

Application Question(s):

• Do you live with a cat?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Caregiving: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• San Jose, CA 95112 (Required)

Work Location: In person