Personal Support Specialist
Standard
Caring Companions In Home Care

Brewer, ME


Category

Personal Care

Job Type

Full_Time

Salary

16USD - 21USD per hour

Posted Date

July 22, 2025


Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

The responsibilities of a PSS typically include:

  • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assisting with personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility.

  • Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): Helping with tasks like meal preparation and serving, light housekeeping, laundry, running errands, and medication reminders (though administering medication may require additional certification, like a Certified Residential Medication Aide, or CRMA).

  • Health Maintenance: Observing and reporting any changes in a client's condition, taking vital signs (if instructed and within scope), and assisting with prescribed health activities.

  • Documentation: Accurately documenting care provided, observations, and any changes in the client's status.

  • Emotional Support: Providing companionship and fostering a caring environment.

Skills and Qualities of a PSS

To excel as a PSS, individuals generally need to possess:

  • Compassion and Empathy: A genuine desire to help others and understand their needs.

  • Patience and Understanding: The ability to work with individuals who may have varying physical or cognitive abilities.

  • Strong Communication Skills: Effective verbal and written communication to interact with clients, their families, and other healthcare professionals.

  • Reliability and Responsibility: Being dependable and able to follow a care plan accurately.

  • Adaptability and Flexibility: The capacity to adjust to different client needs and work environments.

  • Physical Stamina: The ability to assist with mobility, and other physical tasks.

Education and Certification Requirements

While specific requirements can vary by state and employer, common qualifications for a Personal Support Specialist include:

  • Age Requirement: Generally, candidates must be at least 17 or 18 years old.

  • High School Diploma or GED: Most positions prefer or require this.

  • Background Check: A criminal background check is typically mandatory, and certain convictions may disqualify an applicant.

  • PSS Training Program: Required completion of a dedicated PSS training program if not certified.

  • Certifications:

    • Personal Support Specialist (PSS) Certification: This is often a primary requirement, sometimes obtained through completing the PSS training program and passing an exam.

    • CNA active or inactive

Company Description
Caring Companions In-Home Care is a small agency that cares about providing quality care to individuals of all ages and all abilities. The services we provide to our clients are based on individual needs but can include personal care, light housekeeping, meal prep, transportation/grocery shopping.

Company Description

Caring Companions In-Home Care is a small agency that cares about providing quality care to individuals of all ages and all abilities. The services we provide to our clients are based on individual needs but can include personal care, light housekeeping, meal prep, transportation/grocery shopping.