Mental Health Waiver Assistant

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Recovery Assistant, under the direct supervision of the Director of Community-Based Services, provides a flexible range of face-to-face supportive assistance in accordance with a Recovery Plan that enables a client with chronic mental illness to maintain a home/apartment, encourages the use of existing natural supports, and fosters involvement in social and community activities. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Performs the following tasks if the participant (by reason of physical or psychiatric disability) is unable to perform them, or assists, or cues the participant to perform them: a. Meal planning and preparation, shopping, housekeeping (e.g., changing linens, washing dishes, vacuuming/dusting, laundry, mending clothing repairs), basic household tasks (e.g., regulating home temperature, storing food appropriately, resolving issues about bill paying). b. Cueing clients for dressing, personal grooming and hygiene needs; no hands on assistance. c. Appropriate use of emergency medical services. 2. Assists or cues the participant to perform or become engaged in: a. Family, social, and recreational activities. b. Appropriate use of natural community supports (e.g., social clubs, faith-based supports). c. Appropriate use of routine medical/dental services. d. Use of medications as prescribed, including self-administration of medications. e. Healthy habits (e.g., healthy diet, exercise, and behaviors designed to alleviate stress). f. Fulfillment of personal commitments, and adherence to scheduled appointments/meetings (e.g., clinical, vocational, educational, and judicial/court). 3. Assists or cues the participant to avoid: a. Risky behaviors (e.g., unprotected sex, smoking/excessive use of tobacco products, unsafe driving/driving without seatbelts, unsafe relationships, criminal activities). b. Substance abuse. c. Overspending. d. Unnecessary conflicts. 4. Engages in supportive and problem solving-oriented discussions with the participant. 5. Establishes and maintains a helpful, supportive, companionship relationship with the participant that involves such activities as: []{style=""}