Shift and compensation:
Overnight: $18.81 per hour, shift is 9 hours, from 10pm to 7am, nights needed are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Note: most of the overnight shift is just being available to turn the client in bed during the night, and most often caregivers also sleep during this time.
Client’s name is Phil and has muscular dystrophy. He has limited use of his arms and legs and stays in an electric wheelchair to get around. He needs to be transferred from his bed/shower chair using an electric patient lift, so no manual lifting is required. Minimal strength needed to adjust and turn Phil, but no manual lifting or risk of back injury. Overall, Phil is easygoing and chill.
Overnight shift tasks:
-finishing dishes/laundry
-cursory household cleaning/organizing
-oral hygiene, toileting /sanitation
-using lift to move client to bathroom/bed
-helping dress patient for bed
-positioning in bed for sleep
-putting on breathing mask for sleep
-available to turn patient and give water a couple times a night
-make sure client is good before next shift arrives
Note: All these tasks take no special skill, and you don’t need to have any accreditation to do them. Training is easy, but the routine takes some practice over time.
Phil and his main caregiver do the hiring process themselves. Caregivers are paid by the State of Colorado (CDASS program) with employment paperwork and payroll managed by a third party company called Public Partnerships. Payment occurs twice a month. The agency is required to have prospective employees undergo a background check by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. A record does not necessarily mean a deal breaker. We prefer to have prospective employees train on a few shifts before starting. Once employment begins, there would be a two-month trial period, in which glaring incompatibility could result in an abrupt separation of employment. Given that Phil’s lungs are compromised and needs to avoid respiratory illness, caregivers’ flu and COVID vaccines need to be up to date to start working. Also, if employees are sick, feel sick, or have been around someone sick, N95 masks need to be worn around him.
About the location: Phil’s townhouse has comfy couches, a clean bed with mattress for night shifts (caregiver to bring own bedding), window air conditioning, quality free Wi-Fi, a smart TV, and caregivers have use of the kitchen. There is a designated parking spot for caregivers in a well-lit parking lot right outside his residence. He has a smart lock that allows entry only by caregivers, friends and family.
Here is a little about Phil. He is interested and active in politics, but is willing to talk about it minimally. Phil is also a science nerd that is passionate about the environment and solving climate change. He runs an advocacy group that supports the use of clean nuclear power. Humanist is a good way to describe Phil, as he overall wants humanity to reach their full potential. He has a very strong bond with family and friends, has three siblings and a niece and nephew, and hangs out with them often.
URGENT HIRING
Anyone interested in this job opportunity must respond by email with a PDF of a:
-Resume/CV with job history and references.
-Letter of recommendation from a previous employer.
We have interviews by phone/video call or in person before hiring. At interviews we go more into detail about the routine and expectations. A caregiver code of conduct will have to be agreed upon and signed before employment.