Integrated Living Practitioner

HELP WANTED - Supportive Roommate

Through the Integrated Living Services program, funded by PDD, we match adults living with developmental disabilities with individuals and families in the Calgary community.

The successful applicant will provide a safe, stable, respectful, and supportive home environment. The role requires individuals who can demonstrate patience, reliability, compassion, sound judgment, and the ability to remain calm and responsive when supporting an individual with diverse and complex needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The DDRC is looking for passionate, driven individuals who live our values and can work independently.

As Integrated Living Practitioner (ILP), you will be responsible for maintaining and promoting the well-being, uniqueness and independence of each client, encouraging clients to develop individual skills, talents and abilities while maintaining their health and safety requirements. This may include but is not limited to providing physical care, menu planning and meal preparation, medication administration, day-to-day house management and documentation.

CRITERIA:

• Have experience supporting adults with complex developmental, behavioural, mental-health, or dual-diagnosis needs
• Demonstrate strong emotional regulation, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to remain calm, patient, and respectful during challenging or emotionally heightened situations
• Provide consistent weekly check-ins and practical support with appointments, paperwork, transportation, finances, groceries, household responsibilities, and other activities of daily living
• Encourage and support healthy routines related to nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and meaningful community participation
• Ability to recognize early indicators of distress or escalation and respond appropriately
• Provide a safe, predictable, structured, and respectful home environment that promotes stability, dignity, autonomy, and independence
• Implement Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), trauma-informed approaches, de-escalation techniques, and proactive strategies in accordance with individualized support and behavioural plans
• Be willing to learn and consistently implement individualized support strategies
• Recognize changes in mood, behaviour, functioning, or mental-health presentation and communicate concerns objectively and appropriately to the DDRC and the individual’s support team
• Understand the importance of consistency, structure, clear communication, and predictable routines when providing support
• Support medication routines in accordance with the individual’s support plan
• Support executive functioning skills, including task initiation, organization, problem-solving, decision-making, and follow-through, while promoting accountability and independence
• Establish and maintain clear, healthy professional boundaries while fostering a trusting, respectful, and person-centred relationship
• Respect the individual’s privacy, personal space, sensory needs, preferences, autonomy, and right to participate in decisions affecting their life and home
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to professional, ethical, and organizational standards
• Participate in support planning, meetings, mandatory training, and ongoing professional development
• Residing in a safe community/neighborhood within Calgary city limits
• Have a suitable home environment that includes a private bedroom for the individual. A private bathroom and dedicated living space would be considered significant assets
• Ready to include an individual with a developmental disability into their home and family, and abide by the DDRC's standards of care
• Ability to converse with the client fluently in English

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE:

• Disabilities studies certificate/diploma or similar education or equivalent experience, with a minimum Grade 12 High School Diploma
• Have current or will enroll in mandatory training including Standard First Aid CPR/AED Level C, Verbal Intervention (NVCI), Medication Administration
• Experience supporting individuals with behaviours of concern
• Able to foster healthy relationships and maintain consistent boundaries
• Experience with or is comfortable with providing personal care as required
• Proficiency in MS Office and Outlook (Intermediate computer skills), including competency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g.,Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Professional and excellent communication both written and verbal, with the ability to be articulate, clear and precise
• Participate in self-development activities to ensure ongoing learning and maintain high standards of professionalism
• Lift and transfer experience considered an asset
• Driver's license (and vehicle) are considered assets

PERSONAL QUALITIES:

• Demonstrates values consistent with the DDRC mission
• Commitment to on-going development and continuous learning
• Demonstrates flexibility, objectivity, creativity, initiative
• Handles situations with assertiveness, tact, diplomacy and a positive attitude

ABOUT US:

The DDRC is a non-profit, registered, charitable organization that began in 1952. We offer programs and resources for children and adults with developmental disabilities, their friends and family, and other members of the community. The DDRC employee’s role model the DDRC mission - “DDRC promotes awareness and supports communities to include persons with developmental disabilities, thereby strengthening communities for all citizens.” If you believe in the DDRC's mission and values, we would welcome you to our team.

DDRC VALUES:

• We value diversity;
• We believe individuals have a right to explore and fulfill their potentials;
• We recognize the need for accountability and responsibility; and
• We foster an environment of respect, acceptance, accessibility, and interdependence.