Doing something meaningful but the job itself is too stressful
Residential Assistant (Current Employee), Jacksonville, AL – May 16, 2012
Pros: the pay and consistent hours
Cons: no real breaks, bad management, draining, physically can be injured, stressful, bad company
A typical day at the Learning Tree "Autistic Group Homes" can be very demanding. I come in at 7:30am and begin by pulling out all paperwork for both staffs will need for today. The children are still asleep as we come in and prepare breakfast. Once breakfast is ready we give the children their medication and let them sit down to eat breakfast. The day – more... runs accordingly to the children moods. If my client is having a bad morning she might throw her food, and try to attack the nearest person in the room by punching, kicking, biting and etc. When a child acts out we have to quickly implement PCM procedures meaning pull out a blue mat and use a 2 person prone to restrain the child meaning protect ourselves and anyone else around. After the client has come down we let them up and try to focus their attention to what they were doing before the tantrum. After breakfast we wash and clean the kitchen. After dishes, shower the children and get them dressed. Once all clients are dressed for the day we have to go on camera in the living room and run "Lesson Plans" with them. Lesson Plans are created for each client individually. My clients work begins with vacuuming, folding clothes, putting up dishes and etc. We try to keep the children engaged and give them 10 minutes of free time they are allowed per hour but once that's over its back to them doing work. This shift is 15 hours per day, we are supervised by cameras in the house, and the children often tantrum because they don't want to do the work we have to make them do. I've been kicked, bitten, and my hair has been pulled multiple times but thats all because of the behaviors of my client. This is by far the hardest and most stressful job I have ever worked. – less
