Become Personal Support Worker jobs in Calgary, AB

Location: Calgary, AB
Hours: Flexible, 6 to 8 hours per day, Monday to Sunday, generally between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM
Schedule: Flexible and can be arranged around the right candidate
Position: Part-time Respite / Community Support Worker
Pay: $21.54 to $24.00 per hour
Application Deadline: Please apply before Friday, October 23rd.

We are a private family looking for an experienced, compassionate, and confident respite/community support worker (also known as a disability support worker) to spend daytime or evening hours with our adult son, Darian. Health Care Aides (HCAs) and those with similar backgrounds are welcome to apply.

Darian is a wonderful young man with developmental disabilities who enjoys being out and about and participating in the community. He loves going for drives, listening to music, camping, golfing, movies, and spending time with people he knows and trusts. He has a great sense of humour and can be incredibly kind, funny, and engaging.

We are looking for someone who will build a genuine relationship with Darian, encourage him to participate in activities, and help him have meaningful and enjoyable experiences in the community.

About the role

Darian is currently experiencing increased anxiety and some health concerns that are being investigated. As a result, he can experience quick changes in mood, frustration, or challenging behaviours, particularly when routines change or communication becomes difficult, although these reactions can sometimes occur without an obvious trigger.

During these times, Darian may yell, swear, or more rarely become physically aggressive. We want to be upfront about this so applicants know what the role involves. He needs someone who can stay calm, patient, and confident, use positive behaviour-support and de-escalation strategies, and recognize when he is becoming overwhelmed.

We are looking for someone who understands that behaviour is communication and who can support Darian without taking his reactions personally.

The role also includes some personal care, including gentle prompting and support with toileting and hygiene if needed.

A typical day might include:

• Helping Darian get up and ready for the day
• Preparing meals together, or going out for meals
• Heading out into the community, such as the mall, a coffee shop, or a board game café
• Driving him to and from appointments, meetings or events
• Getting active with a walk, swim, golf day, or trip to the gym
• Winding down with music, a movie, or a drive
• Developing crafts, hobbies or lessons to do together.

Requirements

• Experience supporting adults with developmental disabilities and/or complex behaviours
• Experience with de-escalation and positive behaviour-support strategies
• Comfortable providing personal care, including toileting and hygiene support
• Valid driver's licence and reliable vehicle
• Comfortable driving Darian to and from community activities

We are looking for someone who:

• Is calm, patient, reliable, and emotionally steady
• Communicates clearly in English as Darian has a unique speech pattern that can take time to understand
• Can build trust and develop a positive relationship over time
• Is confident supporting someone living with disabilities
• Enjoys helping someone participate in meaningful activities
• Can communicate well and work collaboratively with his family and support team
• Is willing to learn what works best for Darian and maintain consistency with his support strategies

What Darian enjoys

Darian is not a "sit around and do nothing" kind of guy! He requires a caregiver who enjoys getting out and doing things with him.

Activities could be as simple as:

• Going for a drive or exploring the countryside
• Going to a movie
• Getting a coffee or lunch
• Going shopping
• Listening to music
• Golfing
• Visiting community events
• Going to the gym
• Swimming or spending time at the pool
• Finding new activities that he enjoys
• Trips to Banff, camping or the winter home in Pheonix.

We would particularly like to help him become more physically active, so someone who can take him walking, the gym, swimming, or other recreational activities would be a great fit.

Hours & Flexibility

We can be very flexible with scheduling for the right person. The position would generally involve 6 to 8 hours per day, with shifts available Monday through Sunday between approximately 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM. The exact days and hours can be discussed and arranged based on availability.

There may be opportunities for additional hours depending on mutual fit and family needs.

The right person matters more than simply filling the position

We are not looking to simply hire someone to fill hours. We want to find the right personality and experience: someone who will take the time to understand Darian, earn his trust, encourage him to participate in the community, and ultimately become a positive and trusted part of his life.

How to apply

If you have experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and complex behaviours and think you might be a good fit, please apply through Indeed with a short note introducing yourself and your experience. We are happy to answer any questions and have an informal conversation about the position.

If you know someone who might be a great fit, please feel free to pass this opportunity along.

Pay: $21.54-$24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 8.0 – 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Flexible schedule

Application question(s):

• Describe your experience de-escalating aggressive behaviour in the past.

Work Location: In person