Recruiting a Direct Care Worker

Overview of Finding & Hiring a Direct Service Worker

• First, you need to start thinking about what kind of person (personality, characteristics, qualifications) you are looking for based on the care you need, and create a job description outlining their specific duties.

• Next you will need to work with your natural supports and support network to find the right person based on the qualifications you set forth in your job description.

• After you have qualified applicants apply, you will need to interview them and choose the one(s) that is right for you.

Overview of Finding & Hiring a Direct Service Worker

• Your chosen employee(s) will need to meet some specific qualifications before being able to be hired including: – Proof of Citizenship

– Pass reference check (your choice)

– Pass background checks including Level 2 fingerprint screening

• Once you have chosen the Direct Service Worker you

would like to work with, they will need to fill out the hiring paperwork and wait for background checks to be cleared BEFORE beginning to work.

Who Are You Looking For?

Choosing a direct care worker is a big decision that will have a big impact on your life. You need to be sure to think carefully about what qualities and characteristics you are looking for so you make sure you get along with your worker and receive the care you need.

• Personality traits to consider: • Would you prefer someone who is loud or someone who is soft-spoken?

• Would you prefer someone who is serious or funny?

• Would you prefer someone who is creative or more practical?

• Characteristics to consider:

• Are they reliable? • Can you trust them in your home, are they honest? • Do you feel that they are respectful? • Will they show up on time, are they responsible? • Are they hardworking? • Are they able to communicate effectively with you?

• Qualifications to consider: • Do you have medical needs that would require finding someone with advanced medical qualifications?

- Remember if they are providing attendant care or intermittent and skilled nursing services, your employee must be a Registered Nurse, RN, or Licensed Practical Nurse, LPN.

Who Are You Looking For?

Creating a Job Description

Employee name Your name

You need to create a job description before you start searching for an employee so that you know what qualifications you will want your worker to have and what tasks you will ask them to complete.

You will check the box for the services you receive, then you will put in any educational requirements you want them to have (within federal law- see slide __ for more information)

On the lines given you will list what tasks you need assistance with and the instructions for completing those tasks so that the employee you choose knows what is involved before accepting the job.

Once it has been discussed between you and your employee it needs to be signed and dated.

Creating a Job Advertisement

The first thing to think about is safety. Never put your address or too much personal information in your ad. You should give just enough information to find an appropriate candidate. Information your ad should include: -A list of tasks the employee needs to be able to complete, including any special physical demands (being able to help transfer, lifting), personal care tasks they will need to complete, the type of schedule, days and times, they will need to keep (early mornings, afternoons, overnight) -The name of the position (companion, homemaker etc) -Contact information for you. If you have an e-mail address you check frequently that is a safe mode of contact. If not, list your first name and phone number.

Things to remember: -Keep it brief! -Only share what information is necessary! -Never put your address on the advertisement!

Sample Job Advertisements

Caregiver Wanted: Seeking an experienced, reliable and responsible caregiver in-home 20 hours per week. Must be able to assist with transferring, bathing, ambulation, and getting out in the community weekly. Must provide references and be able to pass a background check. If interested please call Bob at 555-555-5555.

Experienced Registered Nurse Wanted: Seeking an experienced RN for Intermittent and Skilled Nursing in-home 40 hours per week. Duties include: wound care and giving injections. Must provide references, proof of Licensure and be able to pass a background check. Please call Mary for more information at 555-555-6666.

Adult Companion Wanted: Seeking a friendly, honest adult to provide companion care in-home. The position is 15 hours a week 5 days, 6am-9am. Duties include meal preparation, laundry and grocery shopping. Must have reliable transportation and provide references and pass a background check. Please e-mail George for more information at example@domain.com

Searching for an Employee

Working with your natural supports to form a network of acquaintances is a good place to start looking for an employee. A few helpful tools are displayed below to help you establish those connections and decide where to advertise.

Searching for an Employee

It is best to work with people you already know to find quality employees that you trust. Telling people you know and trust that you are looking for a direct service worker allows for someone to find out through word of mouth. If you have not heard responses from talking to people you know, the next avenue that you can take is advertising the position. Places you could start advertising are: -Local hospitals -College job boards -Local clinics -Employment Agencies -Local doctor’s offices -Churches

Searching for an Employee

Remember to think about the kind of qualifications you are looking for as to where to list your job. For example, if you need someone with their Registered Nurses license a good place to post would be a local hospital or doctor’s office. A great resource to use to help you find an employee is GT Independence’s Caregiver Link. This is a registry of qualified in-home caregivers that you can choose from to begin your hiring process. Please contact your Supports Broker for more information.

Searching for an Employee

If you have not had any luck with your search, you can turn to outside resources. Some examples are: -Local free job boards -Disability agencies -Newspapers With some forms of advertising (Newspapers) , there will be a cost involved and you will need to get approval beforehand from your Case Manager. Be advised that with outside resources, there is some risk taken as these are people that you do not know.

Recruitment Plan

You will need to create a Recruitment Plan to keep yourself organized and to submit to your case manager. Enter the date and your name The services you are authorized to receive The tasks you need like bathing, meal prep, laundry shopping, etc Enter all tasks you want to achieve like creating your ad, interviewing and selecting a candidate, also include the goal you set for completion as well as when you do complete it. Sign and date it Send a copy to your case manager and the date

When Someone Calls About the Job

When you get a phone call from a potential worker, be prepared, you should have questions written down beforehand so you make sure you ask all necessary questions. Remember to take notes about their responses to your questions. Examples of questions to ask: What is your name? Have you ever done this type of work before? If so, where? Tell me a little about yourself. Do you have transportation? Can you lift someone or something over _____ pounds? Do you have experience bathing someone or providing personal care? Would you consent to a background screening and fingerprinting? Have you been trained in universal precautions? HIPAA? CPR? First aid?

When Someone Calls About the Job Due to federal law there are some questions that you can not legally ask including: •How old are you? •Where were you born? •When did you graduate from high school? •Are you married? •How tall are you? •Do you have any disabilities? •Have you ever been arrested? •Have you been honorably discharged from the military?

When you are done asking questions tell them you will get back to them in a certain amount of time so you can look over your notes and see if you want to move forward to an interview or keep looking.

Interviewing

After you find a candidate that passes your phone interview, you will need to set up a meeting for an interview. Remember to meet them in a public place or have someone you trust at your home with you when they come for your safety. Before the interview: •Make a list of questions for the interviewee •Bring paper and writing utensil to the meeting so you can take notes, this will help you compare candidates. •Decide when you will make up your decision so you can tell the candidate when to expect a decision.

Interviewing

Example questions to ask:

•What are your strengths?

•What are your weaknesses?

•Do you have any experience being a caregiver?

•Why are you looking for a job?

•Thinking about previous positions, what was your favorite

job? What was your least favorite job?

•Do you have reliable transportation?

•Give me an example of a time you had to solve a difficult problem,

how did you handle it?

Choosing an Employee

One important step to complete before choosing an employee is to complete reference checks on your potential candidates. Completing reference checks is optional, but highly recommended. You will need to ask them for the name, telephone number and explanation of their relationship to this person in order to check their references. The number of references is up to you, but since you do not know this person it is a good idea to call at least 2-4 people to find out more about them. You can request professional references, personal references, or both. Reference checks are not only a good safety precaution, they are a good tool to help you choose an employee. You may find out information when talking to their references that enforces your decision or changes your mind about someone.

Choosing an Employee

You should prepare the questions you want to ask them before you call. Some example s of questions to ask are:

• How do you know the person? • How long have you known them? • Are they reliable? Are they honest? • What are their strengths/weaknesses? • Would you hire this person?

Begin your phone call by introducing yourself and letting them know the reason you are calling. Politely ask their questions and thank them for their time when you are done.

Choosing an Employee

Once you have completed the above steps, you will need to evaluate your candidate pool that were interviewed and passed all screening checks. Decide who will be the best fit to complete your needs and care on a daily basis. When considering the candidate pool, think about some areas such as: •Is the candidate a good fit for me and the job? •Can this person communicate effectively with me and me with him/her? •Does the person have a clear understanding of the job duties and schedule required? •Would the participant feel comfortable receiving support from the applicant? •Was the applicant positive and willing to learn?

Paperwork

Once you determine who is the best fit to work with you, the hiring process can be started. Here’s how it works… • Assist the potential employee in completing the blank employee packet that your case manager gave you. This includes various documents such as proof of citizenship, background check forms, and tax forms. If you have questions, contact your Supports Broker. •Once the potential employee completes their application, it should be returned to the Supports Broker. •The Supports Broker will complete the initial background check verifications and then register the employee for the Level 2 Background Check Screening with the Florida Agency on Health Care Administration. • The Supports Broker will contact the employee to assist with getting their fingerprints taken. Once they have their fingerprints taken, the background check will take approximately 2 weeks.

Paperwork

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration makes the final decision on if the employee passes the Level 2 background screening. Some things that will deem the employee ineligible for hire are:

•Sexual Misconduct •Battery or assault •Drug abuse •Arson •Burglary •Robbery •And other violent offenses

GT Independence will notify you when your employee can begin working.

Questions?

If you need help with any portion of this process

please call your Supports Broker,

and they will be happy to assist you.

Good Luck!

Please check the box or boxes below for the services being provided to the Participant by the Direct Service Worker.

Adult Companion Care — Adult companions help you with tasks such as meal preparation, laundry, and shopping. They can also provide light housekeeping such as vacuuming, dusting, and sweeping. In addition to helping you with tasks in your home, adult companions can go with you to places that you enjoy such as parks, museums, and restaurants. Requirements of the position: Must be at least 18 years old.

Attendant Care — Attendant care is provided by a licensed nurse for longer periods during the day (usually more than two hours per day). The nurse helps you with medical needs that take a longer time. Requirements of the position: Must possess a valid license as Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse

Homemaker Services — Homemakers provide housekeeping services such as meal preparation, vacuuming, and laundry. They also may provide chore services such as cleaning bathrooms, lawn care, and pest control. Requirements of the position: Must be at least 18 years old.

Intermittent and Skilled Nursing — Intermittent and skilled nursing is care provided by a licensed nurse during brief times of the day (usually no more than two hours). The nurse helps you with your medical needs, like giving injections or wound care. These tasks usually can be done in a shorter amount of time. Requirements of the position: Must possess a valid license as Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse

Personal Care — Personal care workers help you with daily tasks such as eating, taking a bath, getting dressed, and using the bathroom. They can help you with preparing meals. Personal care workers can also make your bed, dust, and vacuum. Requirements of the position: Must be at least 18 years old.

The description below describes special instructions written by the participant, read and agreed by the direct service worker.

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Direct Service Worker Date / /

Participant Date / /

Direct Service Worker

Name

Participant Name

Direct Service Worker Job Description

Identifying Connections Tools

Identifying Connections Tools

Very Closest People in Your Life

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Organizations and Clubs

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Places you Frequent

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Recruitment Plan Date: Name: Services authorized: Tasks that direct service worker will need to complete:

Activity (ex. Write job ad, run ad, phone interview, interview) Due Done

Participant Signature: ________________________________ Date: ____________ Copy sent to Case Manager Date:______________