Pros
The residents are wonderful to work with (even individuals with behavioral issues/medical issues), staff are supportive and helpful. Managers and staff set a great example of team work.
Cons
I have been working with BNI for over 8 years. This agency does NOT pay well (unless you are upper management). You can go to other agencies and make $2.00 more.There are a lot of disgruntled employees. Over worked and under paid is an understatement. New onsite staff are promised to work in unrealistic situations. These new employees are looking for preferred hours, no behavioral or medical concerns, and feel they can do homework instead of attending to the residents. And once they realize the promises made are from people who never worked in the IDS homes, they put in their 2 weeks notice or transfer to another program. Homes are short staffed due to part time employees making $10.75 and full time making $10.00. When the houses are short on staff the supervisors expect you to just stay regardless of your own needs. Older staff are fed up with continuous changes and constant additions to workload (and the lack of raises). The turn over rate has reached an all time high. Minimal support given by upper management and when you try to address these issues you may become a target. I do not want to discourage applicants as the residents need loyal caring employees. But if you do not like the site of bodily fluids or upset clients this is not the job for you! You will be responsible for the care of these individuals. And the agency is opening new homes without being able to staff their current houses. Overall, if you like working with IDS/MH this could be a great job! You just don't always feel appreciated.