Team Lead Direct Support Professional

Team Lead DSP Position

Join us! Come to work with purpose. We are a passionate team of social change-makers, diverse thinkers, and problem solvers. Our purpose is to provide the best possible services that ensure full access to quality living and spread the power of inclusivity. We serve over 7,000 people with disabilities, behavioral health challenges, and those who are Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing. If you don't want just any job—if you want to work where you can create truly transformational change—then Anixter is the place for you. Take a look at the job description to learn more!

Summary

The team lead DSP position involves lead responsibilities in community integrated living arranged (CILA) homes. They maintain the activity schedules, safety checks, house documentation, grocery shopping, cleaning, and assist their reporting manager with other duties to maintain daily operations of the CILA. They provide on-the-job training and perform regular DSP duties to enhance residents' quality of life and independence. The lead DSP must maintain a good working relationship and communication with residents, families, colleagues, and disability leaders.

Essential Duties

• Ensure the daily documentation of CILA home responsibilities.
• Assist with developing household activity schedules and town hall meetings in collaboration with other team members and reporting manager.
• Maintain proper documentation in the CILA home of safety documents such as drills, water temperature checks, and quarterly inspections.
• Provide staff training as appropriate and assigned by reporting manager.
• Assist in staff onboarding trainings, meetings, and monitoring daily checklists and documentation in the electronic health record to ensure full completion.
• Maintain a track record of one-to-one and/or team trainings.
• Maintain a professional demeanor in both manner and attire as a representative of the department and agency in conducting all activities, services, and instructions.
• Sustain a professional working relationship with the residents, colleagues, and family members.
• Complete weekly grocery shopping that aligns with the My25 menu and clients requests.
• Assist the reporting manager with filling shifts.
• Engage and assist clients with completing all daily living activities, including personal, medical, community, hygiene, financial, recreation and general safety.
• Administer medications and document all related activities in accordance with related medication policies and procedures.
• Complete and/or assist all housekeeping tasks including cleaning bathrooms, kitchen, and client rooms; washing dishes/doing laundry; dusting surfaces; cleaning refrigerator/stove, and all other duties assigned by manager(s) and director.
• Report and document issues with clients regarding overall health, medication, dental and mental health concerns to manager(s) and/or the agency nurse.
• Implements dynamic, person-centered client programming across multiple domains, including but not limited to independent living skills, social/emotional development, communication, problem-solving, vocational development, and safety.
• Assists in planning and directly implementing ongoing community-based activities for all clients, in accordance with individual client goals and preferences.
• Ensures timely completion of all client paperwork.
• Ensures adherence to all mandated reporter, OIG guidelines, and DHS guidelines.
• Implements positive and proactive behavior management techniques and interventions as identified in clients' behavior intervention plans.
• Collaborates with co-workers (shift-to-shift) and/or manager(s) regarding clients' needs and concerns daily.
• Maintains a neat, orderly, and safe work environment.
• Participates in all required on- and off-site training upon hire and as routinely required.
• Maintains professional communication with co-workers and manager(s) as well as clients' parents/guardians, employers, staff, and other stakeholders, as needed.
• Maintain agency mandated crisis intervention and other related trainings deemed mandatory or relevant by Anixter Center.
• Provide transportation in agency vehicle and attend client health care appointments, if necessary.
• Be flexible and able to change tasks if needed, including working as day program staff, 1:1 staff, or house staff.
• Assist with team lead related responsibilities as assigned by reporting manager.

Requirements

Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated proficiency in reading, writing, and comprehending English including the ability to pass a literacy test.
• Ability to multi-task in a high stress environment.
• Ability to interact with diverse personalities, including, but not limited to, clients, parents/guardians, staff, employers, funding representatives, etc.
• Ability to participate in and meet all Department of Human Services and related training requirements.
• Ability to perform all functions necessary to obtain an agency required crisis intervention certification.
• Ability to promote and adhere to agency values.
• A commitment to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.
• Excellent communication skills: essential for interacting with residents, families, colleagues, and reporting leaders.
• Organizational skills: needed maintaining documentation and various tasks in the CILA.
• Training and mentoring: ability to provide effective on-the-job training to DSP colleagues.
• Empathy and patience: crucial for enhancing residents' quality of life and promoting independence.
• Teamwork and leadership skills: ability to work well with others and maintain a positive working environment.
• Attention to detail: necessary for safety checks, reporting, and maintaining cleanliness

Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate or bachelor's degree in related field preferred.
• DSP certified preferred; must be able to obtain DSP certification within six months of employment (provided by agency).
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification; must be able to obtain certification within six months of employment (provided by agency). Certificates must be for adults, and it must be through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.

Experience Required:

• Minimum of 1 years' experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:
• Valid driver's license required.
• Must meet all requirements to drive agency vehicles.
• Capable of navigating the use of public transportation system (CTA/RTA/Metra).