Direct Support Professional

Waypoint Direct Support Professional

Waypoint is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support and empower children and adults with intellectual and other disabilities to reach their fullest potential.

The role of the Direct Support Professional (DSP) is to support members within Waypoint to be connected to others by modeling healthy relationships, engaging in effective communication and supporting independence. This will be achieved through improving skills, promoting self-determination, encouraging personally satisfying lifestyles and fostering growth to the greatest extent possible.

The DSP will be responsible for maintaining a safe and supportive environment for members while ensuring that members are treated with dignity and respect. The DSP will support the interests, culture, and needs of the people we serve, and promote respectful interaction with all individuals.

The DSP will work successfully within a team as well as professionally represent Waypoint, in the community supporting individuals, with parents and guardians and within each member's residence or program. The DSP will exemplify professional values, ethics, responsibility, and confidentiality.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop a rapport with residents and cultivate a safe and supportive relationship
• Provide support and guidance for members during skills building activities
• Implement individual treatment plans and positive support plans for members
• Encourage self-help skill building by supporting members with daily living activities including preparing meals, maintaining a clean and healthy environment and assisting with personal hygiene
• Mentor healthy eating choices, activities that enhance physical fitness, and overall health and wellness choices
• Transport residents in approved vehicles as activities and/or medical appointments require
• Exercise sound judgment to ensure the safety and welfare of members. Notify House Manager of any situation developing or occurring in the home which could have a negative impact on the home's operation or member's welfare and safety
• Respect each member's right to privacy and confidentiality
• Ensure that all medications are passed in a safe manner
• Manage member funds by accurately recording expenditures
• Understand and comply with licensing requirements, MaineCare requirements, Person-Centered Planning requirements and all of Waypoint's policies and procedures.
• Collect accurate and timely data including updates to member ISP progress notes, treatment plans, and positive support plans daily, or more often, as outlined in the plan and as required to track progress towards established goals, objectives, and outcomes.
• Follow work schedule, demonstrate consistent attendance, and accurately record hours worked.
• Follow mandated reporter guidelines regarding reportable events.
• Manage agency funds by accurately recording program expenditures as required.
• Develop and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with all staff while demonstrating a willingness to resolve conflicts quickly and completely.
• Operate as part of a team, maintaining a willingness to accept direction, constructive feedback and information from the House Manager and team.
• Maintain all required certifications for the Direct Support Professional position.
• Attend and participate in all required staff meetings and trainings.
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to assist in all residential settings as needed.
• Ensure a clean and orderly residence or program site, while implementing all cleaning routines and checklists. Independently initiate household maintenance and upkeep as necessary.
• Follow all agency safety standards and procedures.
• Alert House Manager to safety and/or maintenance needs by following the internal protocols regarding the Maintenance Department.
• Follow all transportation policies including identifying any maintenance concerns with vehicles.
• Other duties as assigned.