Integrative Healthcare Provider & Recreational Companion
Fort Collins, CO | $25–$40/hour | Live-in option available
More Than a Caregiving Job
Most caregiving jobs are shift work—clock in, complete tasks, clock out, repeat tomorrow with a different client. This is different.
I'm looking for one long-term person who can see the whole picture: someone trained across all areas of my care who brings continuity, reliability, and genuine investment. When one person understands everything and is consistently engaged across different parts of my day, life runs more smoothly for everyone—tasks don't fall through the cracks, transitions are easier, and we build real trust over time.
This is a collaborative partnership, not just a job. You'll provide skilled health care, but you'll also share meals, go to concerts, help plan outings, and become someone I genuinely enjoy spending time with. The people who thrive here value meaningful connection over transactional shift work. They show up because they care, not just because they're scheduled.
About Me
I'm James—a nutrition professor at Colorado State University, health coach, and someone who's lived with a C5 spinal cord injury since 1999. I live independently in Old Town Fort Collins with support from a small care team.
I care about good food, music, meaningful conversation, and helping people grow. I'm quiet, respectful, and genuinely invested in the people who work with me. The people who do well here aren't just skilled—they're people I enjoy being around, and who enjoy being around me.
Compensation & Live-In Option
Hourly rate: $25–$40/hour depending on experience and credentials
Hours: Flexible, typically 15–35 hours/week depending on the arrangement. Some candidates may work 10–15 hours; others 30+. We'll figure out a rhythm that works for both of us.
Live-in option: For the right person, I'm offering rent-free housing—your own bedroom and bathroom in a modern Old Town apartment. In exchange, you'd be present overnight most nights (typically just sleeping; most nights nothing happens). This is one of the most desirable locations in Fort Collins: secure building, mountain views, steps from Washington Park and CSU.
Total package with live-in: $65,000–$85,000+ annually in combined value, depending on hours worked.
Benefits: Health insurance stipend, paid time off, retirement savings match, education stipend, and wellness benefits are available for those who complete training, demonstrate proficiency, and consistently work 30+ hours/week.
The live-in arrangement is not required—but if it appeals to you, mention it in your application.
The Role
You'll be trained on everything: mornings, meals, evenings, healthcare, outings, errands, and coordination. The goal is for you to step into any part of my day and handle it confidently—and to want to.
Current priority: My biggest need right now is mornings—someone who can be here 4–6 days a week from about 6–9am, working efficiently and solo once trained. But this isn't just a morning shift position. It's a cross-trained team role where you'll fill in wherever needed and help keep everything running smoothly.
Flexibility matters more than a fixed schedule.
What You'd Do
Healthcare: Bathing, dressing, grooming, and hygiene. Transfers using a Hoyer lift (no manual lifting required). Catheter irrigation and urinary care. Colostomy care including appliance changes and skin checks. Medication setup and management. Monitoring for skin integrity, blood pressure, and autonomic dysreflexia.
Daily Living: Meal preparation and assistance. Transportation to CSU and appointments. Groceries, errands, and household organization. Light cleaning and laundry.
Recreational Companion: Share meals—sometimes we'll cook together, sometimes go out. Join me for outings: live music, restaurants, trivia, museums, happy hour. Stretching, range of motion, and light exercise. Support at university or community events. Occasional adaptive travel or weekend trips, always planned in advance.
Team Continuity: Cross-train on all shifts so you can step in anywhere. Fill in when other team members are unavailable. Cover occasional nights when needed ($50 per sleep shift). Help ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Who This Is For
You might be: A CNA, home health aide, or experienced caregiver who wants real connection instead of agency grind. An OTA, PTA, or rehab professional looking for a unique one-on-one role. A nursing or health sciences student who wants hands-on experience with a single client. Someone with clinical skills who's tired of institutional work and wants something more personal.
You should be: Clinically competent or able to get up to speed quickly with an existing healthcare foundation. Flexible and reliable—available to fill in, not overloaded with competing commitments. Warm, smart, and easy to be around. Interested in the recreational and relational side, not just the clinical tasks. Someone who shows up because you care, not just because you're scheduled.
This probably isn't right for you if: You need a rigid, predictable schedule with no variation. You see caregiving as purely transactional. You're only interested in one type of shift and nothing else. You need extensive training on basic ADLs (some clinical foundation expected).
Required Qualifications
Healthcare, caregiving, or clinical experience (CNA, home health aide, nursing student, OTA, PTA, or similar). Competence with ADLs and transfers, or ability to learn quickly with existing foundation. Valid driver's license and ability to drive a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Reliable, professional, and strong communication skills. Able to pass background check and drug screen. Authorized to work in the United States.
Preferred: Experience with spinal cord injury care. Familiarity with catheter and ostomy care. Bachelor's degree or coursework in a health-related field.
About the Living Space (for live-in candidates)
Modern two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in a secure building. Your own private bedroom and full bathroom. Prime Old Town Fort Collins location—steps from Washington Park, Lee Martinez Park, and CSU. Fully furnished common areas with large kitchen. Private balcony with mountain views. Secure building with elevator, bike storage, and underground parking.
Flexible Arrangements
I'd rather find the right person and figure out the structure together than miss someone great because the description doesn't perfectly match their situation.
Already have housing? The live-in option isn't required. Want live-in but fewer daytime hours? Could work. Want more hours and a path toward benefits? There's room to grow. Only available for fill-in or PRN work? I occasionally need backup for nights ($50/shift) or daytime coverage.
Tell me what would work for you. I'm open to customizing the arrangement for the right person.
How to Apply
In your application, tell me about your healthcare experience and what kind of arrangement interests you. I read every application personally and reach out to candidates who seem like a good fit for an in-person conversation. This position is available starting January 2026, with flexibility for the right candidate.