Taking benefits away - Instructional Assistant Grafton Integrated Health Network Employee Review

This is a rewarding job. My supervisor is supportive and there are opportunities for growth within the company. The individuals served and the team that I work with is what keeps me coming back. The collaboration and care for the individuals can be seen by the staff that work with the individuals.

Some days can be challenging due to the high level of individual needs for the individuals that are served but if staff remain positive, collaborate, and work as a team this can be turned into a positive.

There were always opportunities for overtime & advancement. Helping individuals with disabilities can be very uplifting. There were usually opportunities to work at the school, as well as the group homes. You can make a true difference in someone's life.

The group homes were constantly understaffed. Unfortunately, in addition to their developmental disabilities, many of the clients at Grafton were aggressive and violent! A very disturbed young man placed his hands around my neck and attempted to strangle me. I was reassigned to another home. Unbeknownst to me, this location housed the most hostile and violent clients. I was routinely bitten, attacked, etc. My termination resulted from an episode where a client attacked me, my co-worker and the other clients. During the struggle, the aggressor was smacked a few times. The incident resulted in me having to go court. The Chesterfield District Attorney made every attempt to have me jailed. I know have a Misdemeanor Assault & Battery charge on my record (my only offense) and cannot work in healthcare or caregiving related fields. I have a background in education and sales, prior to working at Grafton. The Misdemeanor now flags my criminal background checks and has prevented me from receiving employment is fields that have nothing to do with Mental Health, Caregiving etc. This one incident has changed the trajectory of my ability to land a well paying job.