Job Responsibilities
I care for a totally bedridden 28 yrs old male client, he
depends on me for all of his daily needs
(feeding, changing, bathing, etc...much like an infant, no exactly
like an infant except he has limited vocal skills. The state has
alloted this gentlemen a total of 201 hrs. a mo. Although he
requires 24hr. attention. His mother, whom he lives with has
arranged a "room and board" agreement with me to make up for the
extra care required. His daily needs are just part of my duties,
there's also monitoring all of his supplies
(diapers, wipes, lotions, bathing supplies, ect..) also all of his
medications and their refills must be closely monitered and
ordered. Then comes appointments & dietary plan. Entertainment,
education and general mental state must also be a consideration.
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Job Requirements
It's a shame but currently the state requirments are basically null and void.
Except for a clean police record there are no quilifications required for this
position (although I wouldn't attempt it without some kind of medical background
and alot of patients) I myself am in my first year of a BSN Degree program at an
accredited college, who's staff is considered to be the best in the nation. I
would like to say that working in the field has made my classes that much easier
but this is simply not true. I am currently carrying a 4.0 gpa but this is not
from experience it's from a lot of hard work and diligence. Juggling a more that
full time job and full time school schedule is one of the hardest things that I
have ever done and I'm a 48-yr.-old ex-marine, so that's saying a lot (compared
to this boot camp was a breese).
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Uppers
The feeling of preforming a usefull service is none that can be beat. Having a
client look forward to your seeing your face in the morning is the best feeling
in the world. the gratitude that you see in a parents face and basically just the
fellowship of aiding in anothers quality of life makes all worth while.
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Downers
It has to be the loss of a client that you have cared for and gotten close to.
unlike working in a hospital where people come and go, working in the home
environment you see the same faces every day, you get to know thier friends and
family and become one of them, when they pass from this world it's hard on
everyone involved. Employers advise you not to get attached but how can you not
and still perform to the best of your abilities?
Part of doing your job is knowing (when something's just not right) you have to
know your client for this to happen.
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Lifestyle
This is the only state held position, thats not a state held position. this is
so you recieve no compension, did you know that a receptionist at a state office
is automatically qualified for state funded medical & food assistantance on top
of a healthy salary?? but they can't afford to pay overtime to a hard working man
or woman trying to make it without assistance. My advice would be to get an
education and apply elsewhere.
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Compensation
Although working for the state gives you no benefits at all
thier are other options avialable that pay good salaries with
complete benefits packages, but you need a license to attain
these positions this is why I am in school, you can't survive in
this day without insurance. Where will the state of Illinois be
when all of it's qualified workers leave because of necessity I
myself would love to continue in my current position because of
my relationship to my client but I cant afford too. This is a
shame.
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Advice to Jobseekers
This is the only state held position, thats not a state held
position. this is so you recieve no compension, did you know
that a receptionist at a state office is automatically qualified
for state funded medical & food assistantance on top of a
healthy salary?? but they can't afford to pay overtime to a hard
working man or woman trying to make it without assistance. My
advice would be to get an education and apply elsewhere.
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