The Care Plan

The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) requires that you check off tasks that you’ve completed on the timesheets that you turn in. If you are unsure what you should be doing at any point, ask me and/or check the care plan for things that need to be done.

When you are certified by my counselor, she will cover these tasks in more detail. I am always happy to explain or answer any questions. When in doubt, it’s always better to ask.

Timesheets

Timesheets are completed every two weeks. There are two pay periods every month: 1st-15th and 16th-31st (or 30th, etc.). It is your responsibility to complete the timesheets accurately and in a timely manner (typically within 2 days of the end of the pay period). It’s my responsibility to check them for errors (we’re all human, after all) and sign them. MDRS requires that all my PCA’s turn in their timesheets before they pay any of my PCA’s. That means if you don’t get your timesheet done and turned in when you are suppose to, it can affect everyone else’s paychecks. Again, if you have a question about the timesheets, it’s cool to ask me. I don’t mind, really.

Professionalism

This whole set of guidelines is about professionalism. That said, I just want to note here that even though we can be laid back and chill at times, this is still a job and you should treat it like any other job.

Communication

It is critical that I am able to get in touch with you in a reasonable amount of time. It is equally critical that you communicate any scheduling issues as soon as they come up. If you have any concerns about the job at any point, you need to talk to me about it. If I contact you by phone, I expect you to get back with me within 24 hours or less. My well-being could depend on it.

Timeliness

Stuff happens. I get it. That said, you should always do your very best to be here on time. Being late can affect me, other PCA’s, and my Mom. Always call or text me if you are going to be late. And remember to put down the correct time on the timesheet.

Taking off

If, for whatever reason, you need to miss a shift, please let me know as much in advance as possible. Calling in same-day is definitely not cool and will only be tolerated in actual emergency situations (and those should be very few). If you do need to miss a shift, one of my other PCA’s will need to sub for you, which in some instances will mean that you will need to swap shifts with another person in order to be off. Feel free to ask another PCA directly if they can help you out, but always tell me before finalizing anything. Not calling and not showing up will not be tolerated.

Following instructions

Different people naturally develop their own routines for how they work. That’s mostly fine. That said, if I want to do something in a particular way, then that’s the way we will do it. I welcome suggestions. In the end, it’s my body, so I have the final say on how we do things that affect me and/or my stuff. I ask that you kindly respect that and don’t judge me or get argumentative about how we are going to do something.

Attitude

I expect you to have a good attitude and be pleasant to be around. You don’t need to entertain me constantly, but this is my home and I’d like to keep it nice and happy. I get that sometimes you might be tired or not in a great mood, but you should do your best to stay positive while you’re here. I very much avoid conflict. I think I’m pretty easy to get along with, and I will always try to do right by you. Feel free to bring up any concerns you have about the job. That said, don’t bring an unnecessarily negative attitude. For example, I expect everyone to do their job. But if you see something that needs to be done (even if you think another PCA should have done it), just do it. If it becomes an ongoing thing, talk to me about it. Otherwise, just take care of it and don’t worry about it. Life’s too short.

Cell phones

I don’t mind if you use your cell phone as long as you follow these rules:

• Unless it’s urgent, be ready to get off the phone if I ask you to help me.
• No using the phone while you are assisting me, unless I’ve approved it in that instance (example: you are putting me in bed, but are expecting an important call. It’s cool if you take it as long as you have talked to me about it first).
• It’s cool if you talk on the phone some, just don’t stay on it constantly.
• Texting is fine too, but not while you are assisting me.

Also, when you aren’t at work, please make sure that I can contact you in case of a schedule change or other issue. I’m not saying you have to stay tied to the phone, just return my call or text within a reasonable amount of time (See Communication above).

Privacy

I expect you to keep the goings on of my life reasonably private. Some things are fine to talk about. For example, I don’t mind if you tell people about my disability or my hobbies. But I’d rather you not get real detailed with people about how I bathe or use the restroom or the nature of the services I receive. When in doubt, ask me. Also, personal communication is private unless otherwise stated. If I say, “Let me see that last text,” that means show me my phone and don’t read my messages. If I ask you to read it to me, then (and only then) is it acceptable to do so. Same goes for email and postal mail. When you overhear personal conversations with my family or phone calls that I make, you will keep those private. I sometimes need assistance handling money, be it cash or debit card. I expect you to keep my finances private. Sometimes I might need to tell you my PIN. It goes without saying that you will never utter it to another soul.

That’s all, folks

Well, almost all. Basically, this is all a roundabout way of saying that if you treat me, my family, and my other PCA’s the way you would want to be treated, then we’ll get along just fine.