Job Description

Live-In Companion/Caregiver For Young Adult with Developmental Delays in North Ooltewah

About the Position

We are a loving family in North Ooltewah seeking a kind, dependable live-in caregiver to provide one-on-one care for our 23-year-old daughter, Lili. This is a unique opportunity to make a profound impact on someone's life while enjoying the stability of a residential position with private accommodations and competitive compensation.

Lili is a joyful young adult with a bright sense of humor and a love for all things girly—jewelry, dress-up, fun videos, and creative activities. She has significant cognitive, developmental, and behavioral delays and functions at the level of a 3–5-year-old. Lili also has mobility challenges and primarily moves by crawling or using a wheelchair. She has been diagnosed with Epilepsy and Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC), which require consistent and attentive care. Her conditions can result in behavioral challenges including physical aggression such as scratching, hair pulling, biting, and throwing objects—particularly during seizures, communication frustration, or sensory overload. We are looking for someone who will not only provide support but also build a genuine relationship with her and become part of our family's care team.

What Makes This Position Unique

• Live-In Arrangement: Private bedroom and bathroom in a comfortable family home, with full kitchen access and shared common areas.
• Deep, Meaningful Relationship: Unlike rotating shift work, you'll develop a genuine bond with Lili and become an integral part of our family.
• Professional Growth: Gain extensive experience in complex medical care, behavioral management, and disability services—invaluable for healthcare, therapy, or social work careers.
• Stability & Security: Year-round employment with consistent hours and reliable compensation through TennCare's Consumer Direction program.
• Work-Life Balance: Treated as part of the family while maintaining clear professional boundaries, with regular time off coordinated with the family.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide consistent supervision and ensure Lili's safety and wellbeing
• Engage her in fun, age-appropriate activities (crafts, videos, outings, games, creative play)
• Administer medications and manage G-tube feedings (comprehensive training provided)
• Assist with hygiene, bathing, dressing, and incontinence care
• Support mobility and transfers using wheelchair, Hoyer lift, or slide board
• Remain calm and patient during behavioral outbursts or seizures. Lili experiences behavioral challenges that can include physical aggression such as scratching, hair pulling, biting, and throwing objects. These episodes are often related to her seizures, communication frustration, or sensory overload. You'll need exceptional patience, de-escalation skills, and the ability to remain calm and compassionate during difficult moments while keeping yourself and Lili safe.
• Perform light housekeeping related to Lili's care (laundry, meal preparation for her, room organization, etc.)
• Communicate regularly with parents and collaborate on care routines
• Transport her to activities using the family vehicle

Requirements

• Character: Patient, empathetic, positive, reliable, and genuinely passionate about caregiving. You must have patience for challenging behaviors and the ability to remain compassionate even during difficult episodes.
• Emotional & Physical Resilience: Ability to remain calm and composed during episodes of physical aggression, with effective de-escalation skills. Must be physically resilient and able to protect both yourself and our daughter during challenging moments.
• First Aid/CPR Certification: In-person certification required prior to Background check and hiring. CNA or BLS can be substituted for First Aid.
• Physical Capability: Must be physically able to assist with mobility tasks, provide hands-on support, and manage behavioral episodes safely. Equipment available to assist.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Transportation: Valid driver's license and insurance required. Wheelchair accessible vehicle will be provided for outings and emergencies with daughter.
• Pet-Friendly: Must be comfortable with our two medium-sized, high-energy (but well-behaved) Vizslas who are family members and often snuggle with our daughter.
• Background Check: Must pass a thorough background check performed by Consumer Direct.
• Health & Safety: Non-smoker, no vaping, and no strong perfumes or scents (due to asthma protocols)

Preferred (But Not Required)

• Experience with developmental or medical needs (training provided)
• Experience managing challenging behaviors or physical aggression in care settings
• Certification in medication administration or G-Tube feeding
• Background in nursing, occupational therapy, special education, or related field

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual Salary: ~$60,000 per year
• Room and Board: Private bedroom and bathroom provided in our home
• Meals: Some meals included, plus full kitchen access to prepare your own meals
• Utilities Included: All utilities, WiFi, electricity, water, heating/cooling provided
• Time Off: Flexible time off coordinated with family; typically one full day off weekly plus additional evening breaks
• Professional Development: Comprehensive training in specialized care techniques, behavioral management, and de-escalation strategies
• Employment Security: Employment and payroll managed through Consumer Direct for TennCare (

Work Schedule

Schedule: Full-time, live-in (flexible schedule coordinated with family)

Active Care Hours: Up to 12 hours per day during scheduled workdays (specific hours flexible based on family needs and your preferences)

Off-Duty Time: When not providing active care, you have personal time in your private space with no work responsibilities. You're free to leave the home during off-duty hours and days off.

Sample Daily Schedule (Example):

• Morning: Breakfast, medications, and personal care routine
• Midday: Activities, crafts, videos, or outings
• Afternoon: Quiet/sensory time, snacks, mobility exercises
• Evening: Dinner, personal care, and relaxation time

Note: While you'll live in our home, work hours and personal time are clearly defined and respected. This is not a 24/7 on-call position—you'll have genuine time off to recharge.

Ideal Candidate

You are compassionate, dependable, and take pride in helping others. You are calm in stressful situations, find joy in daily caregiving, and want to make a lasting difference in someone's life. You understand that living with a family requires mutual respect, clear boundaries, and open communication. You have the emotional maturity and physical resilience to handle challenging behaviors with patience and compassion, understanding that aggression is a neurological response rather than intentional. You're seeking a stable, long-term position where your care and presence truly matter.

Important Considerations Before Applying

This position is not for everyone, and that's okay. Please carefully consider:

• Living Arrangement: You'll be living in someone else's home, which requires flexibility, respect for household routines, and clear communication about boundaries and expectations.
• Physical Demands: This role requires physical stamina—lifting, transferring, constant movement.
• Behavioral Challenges: Episodes of physical aggression can be emotionally taxing even when you understand they're not personal. This work requires someone who can separate the behavior from the person and maintain compassion through difficult moments.
• Emotional Investment: You'll develop a deep relationship with Lili, which makes this work incredibly rewarding but also means saying goodbye when employment ends will be emotionally difficult.

Application Process

If you believe this position aligns with your values, skills, and life circumstances, we'd love to hear from you.

Our hiring process includes:

1. Initial phone screening to discuss the role and your interests

2. In-person interview at our home

3. Meet our daughter and observe work environment

4. Reference checks, employment paperwork, and background check (2-4 weeks)

5. Paid evaluation period to ensure mutual fit and assess comfort with all aspects of care

6. Comprehensive training period (concurrent with evaluation period) before independent care.

How to Apply

Email: jamieangelasparks3@gmail.com

Phone: 850-240-6388

Please send a brief summary of your caregiving experience, your availability, and a few sentences about why you believe you'd be a great fit for Lili and our family.

We look forward to welcoming someone exceptional into our family.

This is more than a job—it's an opportunity to change a life.

Equal Opportunity: We are committed to creating an inclusive environment. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, ages (21+), genders, races, religions, and orientations who share our commitment to exceptional care.

• Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to learn more about Lili, our family, or the position before formally applying. We're happy to have an informal conversation first.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

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