CONSULTING OPPORTUNITY
DIRECT CARE WORKER SPECIALIST
The Direct Care Alliance (DCA) seeks the services of Direct Care Worker Specialist (DCWS). The DCWS will work directly with the DCA’s National Advocacy Director and the Executive Director to assist the DCA with the design and implementation of the Voices Institute, the National Partnership of Associations and Coalitions and other DCA activities. The DSWS will also perform outreach on behalf of the DCA in regions where the DCA will be engaged in program development.
To fill this role, the DCA seeks a talented and motivated individual with direct experience in providing direct care. Individuals with a passion for the profession of being a direct care worker and a good understanding of the challenges direct care workers face. Successful candidates will possess excellent oral and written communications skills and possess strong connections to existing groups and organizations with members who are direct care and support workers. Proven communicators and consensus builders are especially sought. The DCWS will be deeply involved in the implementation and development of DCA activities including the Voices Institute and the National Partnership of Direct Care Worker Associations and Coalitions. The DCWS will be supervised by National Advocacy Director.
This is a six month consulting position involving multi-state travel.
Introduction to the DCA
The Direct Care Alliance is a national coalition of state-based workers, consumers, and providers joining together to build a stable, valued direct-care workforce. We advocate for changes in public policy and long-term care practice, so that America’s long-term care system will:
Φ Provide quality care and support for direct-care consumers—elders, and individuals who are chronically ill or living with disabilities—by
Φ Creating quality jobs for direct-care staff—nursing home aides, home health aides, and personal care attendants—recognizing these workers as the foundation of long-term care.
We apply our mission within a three-part theory of change:
* Reform of public policy and healthcare industry practice is more likely to benefit direct-care workers, consumers, and concerned providers—when they engage together in multi-stakeholder advocacy initiatives;
* The knowledge, hands-on perspective, and life experiences of direct-care workers are essential to these initiatives—yet rarely are they provided the support and tools necessary to participate as equal stakeholders; and
* Workers can more powerfully articulate their positions within multi-stakeholder initiatives—when acknowledged, trained, and supported as leaders in their own right.
We call this advocacy framework Quality Care through Quality Jobs, and we believe that it constitutes an essential step in transforming how our nation provides care and support for those who rely on it to live independent, fulfilling lives—in nursing homes, in assisted living facilities, and in their homes and communities. A central objective of the DCA’s immediate work is to build structures for direct care workers to have a voice in our long-term care system by establishing and nurturing a network of direct-care worker associations.
In working to fulfill our mission, the DCA takes special care to convene all long-term care stakeholders—workers, consumers, employers, and others—believing that understanding and collaboration between them is essential if we are to achieving lasting change. While achieving consensus between the at-times opposing viewpoints of these stakeholders can be challenging, we have seen that it can establish incredible momentum toward reform, and we base our work around this potential.
With the help of a Direct Care Worker Specialist, we seek to obtain the direct advice and guidance of a leader with direct care worker experience to assist the DCA with central components of our mission and strategies.
Position Responsibilities
The Direct Care Worker Specialist will work closely with the DCA’s National Advocacy Director and the Executive Director in crafting and implementing activities of the Voices Institute and the National Partnership of Associations and Coalitions as well as other Direct Care Alliance activities. The DCWS will also perform outreach and be involved in public speaking on behalf of the DCA.
The Direct Care Worker Specialist will also be engaged in providing outreach and presentations to audiences of the DCA’s stake holder groups as needed.
Required Education and Experience
While all are welcome to apply for this position, preferential consideration will be given for individuals who meet the following criteria:
• A minimum of 5 years of experience as a direct care worker;
• Experience in working with all three DCA’s stakeholder groups;
• A minimum of 3 years of working with direct care worker associations or workforce coalitions to improve the profession.
• Proven experience and knowledge of the DCA and its mission;
• Working knowledge of issues affecting older adults and persons with disabilities as they locate and secure direct care services and supports;
• Proven experience as an effective consensus builder and an excellent communicator;
• Ability to travel often and on short notice;
• Good Writing and Communication skills;
• Proven experience of leadership among direct care workers to be an effective advocate for direct care workers;
• Excellent interpersonal/relational skills;
• Working knowledge of the long-term care system;
• Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with diverse groups;
• Proven experience as an active member of a workforce organization.
Application Process
After reviewing our website and newsletter archive write a letter describing why you are the right person for this job, including a biographical sketch. Send this, together with your resume to directcarealliance@gmail.com. Please note the position in the subject line.
Direct Care Alliance, Inc.
4 West 43rd Street, 5th Floor, Room 505-507
New York, NY 10036
E-mail: directcarealliance@gmail.com
Applications will be reviewed starting 6/15/08 and the position will be filled when a suitable candidate is selected.
