This posting is for a Live-In Personal Attendant / Assistant in Central Texas. You must be a driven individual who is interested in working with a man with quadriplegia (paralysis from the neck down) who lives in works in Austin. The location is in the Four Points area.
Life seems to change all the time, but a typical day could require--depending on needs--assistance for a few early morning hours, a few late evening hours, and available as needed overnight. Daytime needs can vary, depending on schedule. Time off is accommodated as requested.
The man has other attendants that you will work with at times. In addition to personal care, the attendant has weekly and monthly tasks, but has autonomy to perform most of the tasks. If autonomy is your weakness and it fosters procrastination, then this position is not right for you. This job is an opportunity to shine with joy and gratitude if you embrace it.
The responsibilities of the attendant require them to know how to perform all the assistance that the man requires whether it be personal care, office assistance, and/or the home. The attendant must be able to assist with transfers of the man and travel with him nationally and internationally. The attendant is essentially the man's arms and legs and works primarily in his shadow, but also companions him often to events both professional and personal. You will be helping him live a life as close as he would live if not for his paralysis.
This position requires the learning and knowledge of the individual's private life. Personalities MUST NOT conflict, and privacy is a must. Therefore, please only seek this position IF you:
• Prefer discussion instead of argumentative;
• Prefer human interaction instead of screentime;
• Prefer following instructions instead of solo;
• Prefer asking how instead of ignoring how;
• Prefer organization instead of clutter;
• Prefer generosity instead of taking advantage;
• Utilize initiative, imagination, and common sense
• Effectuate instead of procrastinate; and
• All those other things you would want in my shoes.
Please be honest (I hope this conveyed the message-- respect this individual and the position.)
Quadriplegia is a difficult life to live and manage, and is regulated by many factors. Efficiency when performing tasks is key. In essence, it is on the job training and his schedule must be maintained so it is imperative that attendants learn the responsibilities within 1-2 months. But once the attendant learns and has a solid knowledge of the individuals care and lifestyle, the job becomes infinitely easier and better understood.
Must have:
• CPR (you may apply without CPR, but know that you cannot start working until you have it)
• Valid driver's license
• Liability insurance for any time spent driving the individual in his vehicles.
If you are geographically or navigationally challenged, and/or seriously dislike driving city or highway, then please be funny about it and learn to love-hate it because it is necessary.
This is a clean environment:
• Personal hygiene of body and clothes
• Smoking is prohibited
• Universal precautions must always be taken
Compensation includes:
• Bi-weekly pay with annual merit bonuses
• Private room with on-suite bath
• Utilities (electric, water, internet)
• Unpaid time off with advance notice--schedules will be accommodated as needed.
The bi-weekly pay can vary and is directly related to tasks performed, productivity, going over and beyond, taking less time off, etc. Pay is entirely commensurate with productivity so efficiency is paramount.
Bi-weekly pay ranges from $1,000 to $2,600 (Gross USD). Assistants have access to all amenities, and are responsible for their consumables like food, clothing, supplies (hygiene, health, laundry). It can be a perk to work for a lawyer.
This position can be very demanding depending on the schedule and life. Life has a way of making me enjoy pain from my disability, but we treat it, and move on! It can require you to be available all hours and days for life's unforeseen circumstances.
Reply with:
• How soon you can work?
• If you have you ever worked and/or performed personal care/assistance
• If you have worked with, assisted or cared for any disabled persons
No experience is okay so long as you are:
• Keen to detail
• Quick learner
• Organized
• Have common sense
• Care about individual’s needs
• Work efficiently and steady
Applicants need to be of high integrity, dedicated, loyal, hard-working, kind, genuine, caring, and loving individuals to assist him in daily activities.
P.S., If anything in this description appeared odd, then just understand that he has experienced some eccentric--to put it mildly--individuals. He has a wicked sense of humor and loves a laugh.
A paralyzed man needing dedicated, loyal, hard-working, kind, genuine, caring, and loving individuals to assist him in every day activities.