R&R Weekend Camp: Camp Counselor, Activity Specialist, Assistant Camp Director, Registered Nurse
The St. Louis Arc is looking for motivated, creative, FUN, hardworking people to support a weekend/overnight camp for two weekends a month from September 18, 2020 to May 2, 2021. Our program offers opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities in a recreational camp environment. Individual’s age can range from 7 years and up.
Agency Expectations of Employee: Adheres to Agency policies and procedures; acts as a role model within and outside the Agency; demonstrates good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality; performs duties as workload necessitates; maintains a positive and respectful attitude; communicates regularly and professionally with all individuals; demonstrates flexibility and efficient time management skills and ability to prioritize workload; consistently and regularly reports to work on time prepared to perform duties.
Key Leaders: Activity Specialists shall be identified from the pool of R&R applicants.
The following details some of the essential functions of the jobs and basic requirements for the positions.
CAMP COUNSELOR (Direct Support Professional)
The Camp Counselor (Direct Support Professional) is responsible for providing quality supports (ensuring health and safety, enabling people to make decisions, promoting independence, assisting people to understand and exercise their rights, etc.) that are delivered to individuals with developmental disabilities to help them achieve their goals. This position provides one-to-one and one-to-two support to individuals in recreational, camping and/or volunteer activities. Staff will support the individual in search of new opportunities and experiences and facilitate the learning process of gaining skills and forming relationships in the community.
Essential Functions:
- Adherence to Arc Core Values of Respect, Collaboration, and Empowerment
- Providing direct support for 1-2 individuals as they enjoy camp life and grow toward achieving their goals;
- Plan, conduct, and supervise camp activities;
- Support and instruct individuals in areas of decision-making, independence and self expression;
- Assist with lifting and transferring of individuals as needed;
- Provide exposure to new experiences and encourage individual to recognize their own interests and abilities;
- Assist with personal care and daily living skills including but not limited to: dressing, showering, eating, changing depends (adult diapers), transferring, and use of the toilet;
- Responsible for leading, guiding, and caring for a cabin group of up to ten individuals with their daily living needs;
- Act as a team player by sharing in responsibilities and duties of all staff
- Uphold the mission of the St. Louis Arc
- Attend all required training and staff meetings
Other Experience and Abilities:
- Ability to develop rapport with people
- Ability to communicate effectively and adapt as needed
- Successful experience in being responsible for people and tasks
- Ability to see, hear, stand, walk, bend, lift, use stairs, carry supplies, communicate in English fluently both verbally and in writing
- Ability to make sound decisions
- Ability to understand emergency procedures and act accordingly
Physical Requirements: This position requires seeing, hearing, standing, walking, bending, the use of stairs, lifting, carrying supplies, communicating both verbally and in written form, the ability to make sound immediate decisions in order to ensure the safety of the people we support. Position requires the ability to help with lifting and transferring individuals as well as lifting 50 lbs or more. Regular attendance is mandatory. May be required to transfer individuals in/out of wheelchairs and lift items.
ASSISTANT CAMP DIRECTOR
The Assistant Camp Director is responsible for providing a quality experience for individuals with developmental disabilities at a residential camping facility. Each weekend begins Friday at 6:00 pm and ends Sunday at 5:00 pm. Weekend activities are designed to focus on the individuals personal outcomes and individualized support plan. Participants will spend their time learning new skills while having fun in a beautiful camp setting. Each weekend, many activities are offered within the program, including; team and individual sports, small and large group games, arts and crafts, fishing, canoeing and taking walks on any of the many scenic trails. The Assistant Camp Director will assist in the implementation of leisure opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities camp as well as providing direct support when necessary.
Essential Duties:
- Adherence to Arc Core Values of Respect, Collaboration, and Empowerment
- Responsible for assisting in the overall implementation of the R&R camping weekends;
- Develop positive rapport with families, guardians and/or care givers as well as each participant which will allow for effective and supportive communication for everyone;
- Assist in supervising personnel (whether paid staff or volunteer staff);
- Assist individuals when needed with personal care and daily living skills. This includes but is not limited to assistance with dressing, showering, eating, changing depends (adult diapers), transferring, communication, and use of the toilet;
- Keep Coordinator informed of all activities and maintain open communication with all staff
- Maintain the cabin and all common use areas in clean, healthy, and safe condition;
- Responsible for filling in for R&R Coordinator or R&R Nurse should they be unable to come to camp that weekend.
- Know and understand all emergency procedures and be prepared to act accordingly;
- Represent Agency and department in professional organizations/committees;
- Must be able to perform all duties of direct support professional personnel;
- Other related duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements: This position requires seeing, hearing, standing, walking, bending, the use of stairs, lifting, carrying supplies, communicating both verbally and in written form, the ability to make sound immediate decisions in order to ensure the safety of the people we support. Position requires the ability to help with lifting and transferring individuals as well as lifting 50 lbs or more. Regular attendance is mandatory. May be required to transfer individuals in/out of wheelchairs and lift items.
Experience and Education Qualifications: Must be 18 years of age or older. High school diploma/GED required, some college level of course work in special education, social work, health or human services is helpful but not required. Three years of related camping experience or with individuals with developmental disabilities is necessary. Must have own transportation. Reliable, friendly, enthusiastic and have strong communication skills and ability to work efficiently and independently.
REGISTERED NURSE
Under the direction of the Coordinator of Leisure Services – R&R Project, the Registered Nurse is responsible for the management of the camp health plan, including reviewing camper health histories, dispensing medications, coordinating with camp staff to ensure that individuals served maintain the best possible health and receive appropriate medical care, responding to first aid needs at camp, and maintaining the health facility and equipment in excellent condition.
Essential Duties:
- Adherence to Arc Core Values of Respect, Collaboration, and Empowerment
- Plan and make provisions for health care services for people who are participating in the R&R project;
- Responsible for the medical management for approximately 24 campers ages, 7 to 70 with developmental disabilities and camp personnel;
- Responsible for the supervision, administration of medication and dispensing daily medication, including insulin and nebulizer treatments
- Responsible for medical treatment needs which may include: bowel & bladder routines, catheterizations, g-tubes, trachs, breathing treatments and diabetic management;
- Provide 1st Aid and health care intervention in the case of an emergency;
- Provide health care such as reviewing signs/symptoms of illness and advising on appropriate actions;
- Prepare and maintain all health care related reports and forms;
- If necessary, transport or ride in ambulance with individual who needs immediate medical treatment;
- Responsible for family/guardian communication, regarding health related issues;
- Ensure implementation of proper health care plans as ordered by physicians;
- Maintain an on-going assessment of the health needs of individuals;
- Complete all St. Louis Arc required paperwork, including but not limited to: personal interview, application, Abuse and Neglect Screening, Drug Screen, Police Record Check, and providing references;
- Attend all required training and staff meetings;
- Comply with all St. Louis Arc policies and procedures;
- Act as a liaison between the community, the individual/family, and the St. Louis Arc;
- Assume other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements:
- May need to assist individuals to transfer in/out of wheelchairs, lift supplies, and provide support in a variety of physically demanding locations.
- May be asked to use own transportation and transport individuals to the hospital.
- Regular attendance is mandatory.
- This position requires seeing, hearing, standing (6-8 hours), walking (6-8 hours), bending, the use of stairs, lifting (up to 75 lbs. floor to shoulders), carrying supplies, communicating both verbally and in written form, and the ability to make sound and immediate decisions in order to ensure the safety of the people we support.
- Must be physically able to provide necessary first aid/emergency medical treatment.
- Must be able to use computer equipment and relevant software applications to perform aforementioned essential job functions.
Prerequisite Education/Experience:
- Registered Nurse (RN) currently licensed in the State of Missouri.
- Two years of experience working with individuals who have developmental disabilities is preferred.
- Must be able to work with minimal supervision and to work cooperatively with other staff and families/guardians/care givers and must adhere to the professional ethics and standards of the American Nurses Association.