Experienced Personal Support Worker – Complex Behavioral Needs

Location: South Edmonton, Alberta (Private Home)

Pay: $20-25 per hour to start; rate of pay will be based on experience; paid mileage for client outings; health insurance for 35+ hours/wk. (after 6 months of employment)

Schedule: Weekday and weekend shifts available; exact schedule to be discussed

Type of employee sought: Seeking a calm, reliable, and experienced Personal Support Worker for a young man with Autism who is non-speaking and has complex support needs including aggression.

Overview of the role: The role requires an energetic person who can be actively engaged with the client and provide person-centered care. The support worker is expected to provide close supervision, especially when in the community; assistance with daily living, including preparing meals, active housekeeping tasks (cleaning up with or after the client, where he cannot do so); follow the client’s routines (e.g., community drives, walking to the park, swimming, going to the gym, grocery shopping, etc.). The support worker must provide consistent behavioral support (must be able to follow established routines and safety protocols).

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision & Safety

- Provide close, active supervision and maintain Client’s safety both at home and in the community.
- Report behavioral, medical, or safety concerns promptly.
- Follow established routines, behavioral strategies, and safety plans.
- Recognize early signs of distress and respond with calm, effective de-escalation.
- Support client during transitions and help him regulate when frustrated or overwhelmed.





Personal Care

- Assist with personal care, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, meals, and hygiene.
- Use visual, verbal, and other communication strategies to communicate with Client.

Community Inclusion

- Participate in community outings/recreational activities such as parks, taking walks, going on long drives, shopping, having fun at recreational centers including trampoline parks, swimming, splash parks, etc.
- Take client to scheduled community programs, including swimming and exercise programs at the Steadward Center.
- Actively support, supervise, and be engaged with the client while swimming.

Team Work/Collaboration with Other Staff & Family

- Work cooperatively with other support workers and family members as part of a team.
- Complete transparent, accurate daily notes, incident reports, and other required documentation.
- Maintain client’s dignity, privacy, confidentiality, and professional boundaries at all times when in the community.

Required qualifications

- Previous verifiable hands-on experience supporting someone with autism, developmental disabilities, or complex service needs.
- Experience responding safely to challenging or physically aggressive behavior.




- Comfortable providing personal care and supporting all activities of daily living.
- Calm, patient, dependable, physically capable, and able to follow established plans consistently.
- Comfortable working closely with another staff member in a team-based support model.
- Able to speak, read, and write clearly in English.
- Comfortable taking the client into the community, including swimming and entering the pool to support the client.
- Comfortable working in a private home with a dog.
- Valid First Aid and CPR certification or willingness to obtain it.
- Valid NCVI training, especially NCVI Autism, or willingness to obtain it.
- Current criminal history and vulnerable sector check.
- Reliable attendance and strong professional references.

Job Requirements:

- A valid Class 5 driver’s license.
- Reliable and properly maintained vehicle.
- Third-party automobile insurance for at least $2 million.

To apply: · Please apply with a résumé and cover letter: [email protected]

Your cover letter should explain (1) your experience supporting autistic or non-speaking individuals, (2) how you deal with the type of challenging behavior described in the job posting.

Pay: $20.00-$25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 25.0 – 35.0 per week

Benefits

- Flexible schedule
- Mileage reimbursement

Experience:
- support worker: 1 year (preferred)

Language:
- English (preferred)

Licence/Certification:
- CPR Certification (preferred)
- First Aid Certification (preferred)
- NVCI (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Personal Support Worker (Edmonton)
🏢 Open Horizons Ability Foundation
📍 Edmonton