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A COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE

 – See The Recipients of the West Central Abilities 2020 Service Awards –

A Caring Career with West Central Abilities

If you are interested or are looking to start a career in the disability services sector, West Central Abilities is a well-established organization located in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. WCA has been providing support to individuals since 1972.

The work is all about supporting individuals with disables to gain independence and build and nurture relationships within the community. Programs are continually adapting based on each individual’s specific needs and goals.

Responsibilities include support with the day-to-day and achievement of significant milestones such as obtaining employment or living independently. We focus on providing services with dignity, respect, and everyone enjoying full citizenship in our communities.

If you think that this agency would be a good fit for you, please review the videos below to see more about the care that we provide.

Job Preview Video Part 1

Job Preview Video Part 2

If this sounds like something you are interested in, check out the Job Descriptions for various positions in the links below:

STUDENTS

Students pursuing caring-related careers can perform their practicum with us. Career and work exploration classes in local schools can also participate.

BENEFITS

Benefits include single or family health and dental, long term disability, group life insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Plan. West Central Abilities also offers an employer matched pension plan. Details are available upon hire.

TRAINING

Staff of WCA receive a variety of trainings to assist them in supporting each individual on a daily basis.  This includes Safe Food Handling, Supporting People Successfully, Positive Behaviour Supports, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Training, STRIDE (formerly Basic Skills Training), TLR (Transferring Lifting Repositioning), PART (Professional Assault Response Training), Medication Assistance and more.  Staff are also required to have their First Aid, CPR-C and AED certificate.

SARCAN

West Central Abilities operates a SARCAN depot as part of a provincial beverage container recycling program. SARCAN provides meaningful employment to individuals with and without disabilities.

More

Employment Opportunities

WCA combines a professional work environment with a fun and friendly atmosphere!

We offer continuous on the job training and opportunities for advancement, fantastic benefits, stability and long-term employment.

All applicants must have a valid driver’s licence and provide a current criminal record check complete with vulnerable sector check prior to beginning work.

For more information on various positions, see the job descriptions.  *Job Descriptions are updated regularly to reflect the needs of the individuals served.  Links may not contain the most up to date documents.

If you are interested in applying for a position with West Central Abilities, please submit your resume, cover letter, and professional references to westcentralind@sasktel.net.

For information, please call 306-463-2727 ext. 3 and speak to Colette.

Check out our current job postings on saskjobs.ca

Once an application is submitted to WCA, minimum employment criteria are assessed, and applicants are reviewed for suitability. Applicants will only be contacted if selected for an interview once positions come available within the organization.

Job Descriptions

Group Home Care Workers

Responsibilities include assisting each individual based on their level of needs, including personal care and a variety of daily living needs for the residents, in a family friendly home environment.  These staff work various shifts, depending on the position, the shifts may be days, afternoons, evenings, or overnights.  These shifts vary by facility and are flexible and subject to change based on program needs.  Part-time employees are scheduled for an average of less than 35 hours per week averaged over a four-week period.  Employees appointed as full-time work at least 35 hours per week averaged over a four-week period.

Read Job Description

Program Staff

Responsibilities include assisting each individual based on their level of needs, including personal care and a variety of daily living needs as well as implementing programs and activities based on personal growth, building community connections, developing particular skills &/or functional abilities within an activity centre or the Out & About community based program.  These staff generally work Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm an average of 35 hours per week.  Hours are flexible and subject to change based on program needs.

Read Job Description

Supported Independent Living Program Workers

Responsibilities include assisting individual who live on their own, live semi independently or are transitioning to living in their own home. Supports include expanding on or enhancing an individual’s skills and abilities, provide for growth and educational opportunities to improve to attain their maximum level of independent living.  These staff work less than 35 hours/week and are scheduled to work varying shifts during days, evenings, or weekends.  Hours are very flexible and subject to change based on participant(s) needs, attendance and program requirements.

Read Job Description

Casual Disability Support Care Workers

Are scheduled for a specific purpose, or on a call-in basis for the relief of part-time or full-time employees in any of the positions described above.  Hours may include days, evenings, weekends, or nights.  Hours are flexible and subject to change based on program needs.  Casual workers are expected to orientate at all three group homes and to accept shifts at all three facilities when able.  They are also encouraged to orientate at the Activity Centre, in the Supported Living Program, and at the SARCAN Depot as they are able and as the programs require.

Read Job Description

Pay Grid

Starting 6 months 1 Year 2 Years
Group Home Worker/ Care Worker $16.96/hr $17.36/hr $17.76/hr $18.58/hr
Activity Centre Program Staff and Client Development Worker $18.80/hr $19.18/hr $19.56/hr $20.37/hr
Orientation Minimum wage
Night Shift Premium – .70/hr

CURRENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Click the links below to see more details on our current openings:

The Supported Independent Living Worker is responsible to provide positive role modeling and person centred supports to individuals living in their own homes. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, personable, organized, empathetic and passionate about supporting individuals experiencing disability to reach their potential. As a part of this rewarding opportunity, you will be helping individuals to successfully live on their own and maximize their potential and quality of life. In this position, you will help people set goals and make a plan to achieve them, learn about and develop healthy relationships, connect with other community resources, create and follow their budget, plan and prepare healthy meals, schedule and attend medical appointments and other tasks and activities as required.

> See Full Job Details at SaskJobs.ca <

Casual Care Worker in Group Homes and Day Program

> See Full Job Details at SaskJobs.ca <

Description

Group Home – Disability Support Professional

Early afternoon to 9 pm. Shifts vary by day of the week

> See Full Job Details at SaskJobs.ca <

Description

Provides personal care and daily living activities for individuals to encourage optimum level of functioning. Supports the individuals in meeting their physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs.

> See Full Job Details at SaskJobs.ca <

“Enthusiasm is more important than any other commodity. It will find solutions when none are apparent, and it will achieve success where none is thought possible.” -Anonymous

STAFF MEMBER TESTIMONIALS

The people behind the work, those who deliver and are enhancing human services. These are the people that have dedicated their life’s work in assuring individuals experiencing disabilities will have a life of meaning, feel safe to make choices, to accept and transcend their differences.  At WCA our astounding staff team support a shared vision of empowering individuals to make choices, experience fulfilment, and to enjoy full citizenship.  We come together to serve our community, advocating for acceptance, and are leading the way of transformed experiences. There is no greater gift than people supporting people!

 

Carmelita Kellington, Residence Manager

April 9, 2021

“When I first joined WCA I did not have a lot of information on what the company was all about, and I needed to learn quickly as I was dealing with human beings. Working for people with disabilities is a very rewarding job, they have taught me the importance of being compassionate, honest and the real meaning of respect. At the (group) home where I work, we have the best staff. We laugh, we cry, and we disagree, but at the end of the day it is always the wellbeing of the people we serve that counts. My copartner always supports me, and I support her. When I am down, she encourages me and always has something positive to say. The whole management team encourages all of us to be ourselves without prejudice. They listen to our opinions without judgement. We can always count on their guidance and support to go forward and do our job. That is the real reason why my ‘for the time being job” became my career for 28 years and counting.”

Brianna Schmaltz, Program Staff

April 2021

“I’m delighted to be a part of WCA, staff and services. Encouraging, respecting, and supporting individuals with compassion and empathy to live their best lives, is my passion which has a piece of my heart. I love walking through the doors to see big smiles, happiness and good laughs warms my heart.”

Linda Peterson, Residence Manager

April 2021

I could not imagine doing anything else or working anywhere other than here at West Central Abilities.  I am the type of person that finds joy in helping other people even if it is just in the simple little things.  I am the cheerleader “We’re number one”! It’s easy to be upbeat when you love what you do. This kind of career really allows you to open up and develop empathy and compassion and to always want to do better everyday. I’ve worked in this sector for more than 30 years and 24 of those years here at West Central Abilities. I will be honest that it has not always been easy, but with the gift of experience it has become much, much, easier. I have been lucky enough to have worked with the same co-manager for my entire career at WCA. We can depend on each other and trust that we will always get through the really hard stuff. There really is no other person I’d rather be working with than Lita! We get to be involved in helping individuals become more independent, help them to voice their own needs, to be their voice when they can’t speak, to advocate for them when the need arises. Sometimes people with disabilities face obstacles and barriers that just don’t exist for other people.

I love that we get to work with individuals in a long-term setting. It allows us to see them evolve and grow in creative ways, to learn to communicate in ways so that other people can see them and hear them clearly, to overcome things that have been challenges, to form strong bonds that create a found family.

West Central Abilities has allowed me to grow, to train and learn new skills, to become a leader, to become an educator and to be a part of a most exceptional team. I have made lifelong friends and become part of the larger WCA family. It has been an honour and privilege to work with the best team of coworkers.

Alyssa Reiss, Residence Manager

April 7, 2021

I enjoy coming to work each day because it is always a learning experience. The clients have taught me such as how to be patient and how to be a good listener it is an emotionally rewarding career and everyday is a new day/ challenge. At WCA there is always opportunity for growth and allows staff to work with people whilst helping them live their best lives and earing a wage at the same time.

Gayle Garrison, Care Worker

I love my job; it is very rewarding and everyday is different. You come to work, and everyone is happy and excited to see you and your smiling face.

Jayden Heinrichs, Care Worker

April 12, 2021

I enjoy the atmosphere. I love spending time with the clients, helping individuals is so rewarding to me. Especially when I see the people I support all laughing and smiling.

Sharaya Francis, Program Staff

April 12, 2021

I haven’t spent a great deal of time working with WCA, but already I have learned so much. Working with WCA has taught me compassion, patience, and passion to help others.  This job has shown me that no matter what we are dealt in life, you can always succeed. As with any job, there are challenges we face, but the reward of this job outweighs any challenges. What I love about this job is the little things. Seeing a client’s happy face, or making them laugh, or feeling that I have made an impact on an individual big or small, or arriving to work, and being greeted with a hug. It’s the little things each day that make a difference and give me a feeling of reward. I love being a part of such a positive and supportive organization, as well as the people I get to work with every day.

Anonymous

April 12, 2021

I like working at West Central Abilities because for me it is about seeing individuals happy.  I enjoy being able to help others with their needs. The laughs that are shared bring a soft spot to my heart. I enjoy that it’s such a happy place and everyone is caring, and needs are being met.

Kristine Miranda, Programs

January 18, 2022

For 11years I used to work in a Hospitality Sector or Food industry. I never thought I could work in a group home or Activity Center. I didn’t think I had the patience or the capacity to deal with the behaviors. One day, though, I decided to apply to work in a group home because I would like to have an extra penny. I’m so glad I gave it a shot, because it’s the best job I’ve ever had. Here’s some of the reasons it’s so great:

1. I learned to be more patient. I was never really a patient person before (anyone knows me will definitely agree), thus part of why I never thought I would ever be able to work in a group home! For more than 2 years I’m working at West Central Abilities, I learned that the individuals I work with have their own pace, and it doesn’t matter if I want them to move faster. It’s their pace and that is OK, so I learned to be patient.

2. I learned about the medical field without needing medical certification. I don’t need to be a CCA or enroll for a course to have an opportunity to work here. Hence, they provide lots of training so I can do my job better as Disability Support Professional. For anyone desiring a job in the medical field, being a Disability Support Worker is a great start!

3. “Rewarding” doesn’t even begin to cover it.
It is the absolute best job that I have ever had in my entire life. Getting to work with the individuals that I do is honestly the absolute best. They’re so entertaining and adorable. They each have their own specific way of doing things, and often it’s different from how I or anyone else I know would do things. Getting to see their giant grins when they accomplish something — especially something I assisted them with — is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced. 🙂

“Thank You so much West Central Abilities” 😊