Sr Program Associate

Direct Support Professional

We're Hiring: Direct Support Professional

Location: Swedesboro, NJ Employment Type: Onsite Department: Adult Day Program

Shift: 1st shift (Monday-Friday 8a-4p = 40 hours full time)

Are you looking to build a career as a caregiver? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of autistic, intellectually, and developmentally challenged individuals? If yes, working at Bancroft may be right for you. As a Direct Support Professional within our Gloucester Program in Swedesboro, NJ you'll empower the people we serve while supporting the Bancroft mission, vision and core values.

Bancroft's Lakeside Campus for people with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities fosters a stable environment where each individual can realize their best life. Direct Support Professionals help those in our care to reach their highest potential, while gaining experience and learning new skills.

The current hiring range for this position is: $23.12-$23.47 per hour. Plus additional incentives.

Bancroft is a leading service-provider for children and adults with autism, other intellectual or developmental disabilities or those in need of neurological rehabilitation.

We are looking for Direct Support Professionals that are passionate about providing quality care in a positive and empathetic manner. Our Direct Support Professionals must have a strong desire to work with autistic, intellectually and/or developmentally disabled individuals.

Responsibilities

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Maintains all levels of supervision for assigned persons served at specific program site as outlined in the IPP (Individual Program Plan), Annex A and/or program descriptions. Follows established Bancroft policies and procedures, and maintains compliance with Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) regulations, Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, DDD Supported Employment/Day Program (SE/DP) Manual standards (if applicable), Department of Labor (DOL) regulations (if applicable), Department of Human Services 1047 regulations (if applicable), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards, and applicable state/local/federal regulations at all times.

2. Complies with the IPP as detailed for assigned persons served; runs daily goals with each individual; instructs, prompts, and/or assists each person in the achievement of goals while actively encouraging the independence of each person within his/her ability limit while following standard interaction protocol or individual behavior plan.

3. Supervises, instructs, and provides guidance to assigned persons served with daily living and work activities, as applicable and dependent upon specific program; e.g., purchase and inventory of food and personal supplies, cooking, housekeeping, money management, social awareness, interpersonal relationships, work skills, personal hygiene, recreational and vocational activities, etc.

4. Ensures program site operates in accordance with the organization's quality standards for safety, cleanliness, and comfort and state licensing and accreditation standards.

5. Aids in the resolution of problematic situations that may occur for persons served within a specific program or job site. Exercises appropriate judgment in addressing specific situations.

6. Dependent upon specific program requirements, follows medical guidelines to administer medication as scheduled or as needed to persons served in strict accordance with each IPP. Maintains adequate medications inventory levels to ensure immediate availability of medications.

7. Dependent upon specific program requirements, may ensure the routine maintenance and cleanliness of specific Program site, as well as the transportation vehicles assigned.

8. Coordinates transportation needs, as applicable, of assigned persons served in accordance with IPP and dependent upon specific program needs. Safely transports and accompanies persons served, if needed, to:

• physicians', dentists', and other healthcare consultants' offices for routine or emergency medical appointments;
• preferred religious services of person served;
• recreational outings and other community activities, while dressing accordingly for active participation; and/or
• vocational job site.

9. As required by specific program needs, schedules medical appointments for assigned persons served. Strictly follows physicians' orders for continued care, updates necessary medical records, performs medical records filing, etc.

10. As required by specific program needs, assists assigned persons served with schoolwork and/or vocational/employment activities.

11. May gather behavior data for persons served, perform calculations, and create graphic illustrations for review by others to assist in monitoring the progress of individual persons served.

12. Completes paperwork in a professional manner and maintains all documentation as required (and as applicable to specific program) and as determined by program management for the site; e.g., daily logs, monthly progress reports, daily goal reports, assessments, daily financial transactions, Medical Administration Records, behavioral data sheets, Critical Incident Reports, Parent/Guardian/Other contact form, etc.

13. Maintains effective communications with assigned persons served, parents, guardians and other family members, healthcare personnel, own manager and coworkers across programs and functions, neighbors, surrounding communities, etc. Operates in accordance with the Confirmation of Understanding or Plan of Care for assigned persons served regarding programs and treatment, healthcare, religious and sexual preferences (if applicable), ethnic and cultural support, recreational/socialization/vocational activities, physical fitness and healthy living, family visits and involvement, and disagreements and grievances.

14. Serves as an advocate on behalf of assigned persons served in a variety of situations.

15. Participates in the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) or Trans-Disciplinary Team (TDT) process in conjunction with the IPP. Follows up and takes necessary action on change in behavioral plans, reports issues in the event plan is problematic, updates records, etc.

16. Follows state-approved emergency procedures and Bancroft-approved crisis intervention techniques at all times.

17. Prepares for, and promptly responds to, emergency situations to ensure the safety and security of the program site and persons served at all times; e.g., conducts fire drills, emergency evacuations, etc. Notifies proper authority in the event of a valid emergency.

18. Serves as a role model to persons served by projecting a positive self-image of professionalism, appearance, confidentiality, courtesy, conduct, honesty, fairness, personal integrity, and a respect for the fundamental rights, dignity, and privacy of others.

19. Where shifts apply at program site, effectively transitions with the staff of the incoming and outgoing shifts to ensure coverage at all times.

20. Ensures the smooth transition of persons served across programs and effectively communicates with the staff members of those programs; e.g., transition from Residential to Vocational, etc.

21. In the absence of the program management, provides supervision and oversight to staff within direct areas of responsibility:

• Provides ongoing leadership, advice, training, feedback, and guidance to staff regarding the daily care, instruction, and safety of persons served at assigned program site as outlined in the Individual Program Plan (IPP), Annex A, and/or program descriptions;
• Serves as first point of contact during assigned shift/schedule for daily and emergency situations; i.e., wears pager at all times to ensure immediate communication with others;
• Serves as central source on assigned shift/schedule for coordinating transportation needs for persons served;
• Ensures proper staffing levels and work distribution within assigned program site in accordance with levels of supervision, Annex A, and/or program descriptions;
• Ensures completion of required paperwork by staff for accuracy and for submission to program management; e.g., fire evacuation drill reports, health and safety checklists, etc.;
• Aids in the resolution of problematic or more complicated situations occurring within program site. Notifies program management of any unusual or emergency situations;
• Where shifts apply, effectively transitions with the staff of the incoming and outgoing shifts;
• Appropriately documents and reports staff latenesses and other performance-related issues;
• Provides input to program management regarding the ongoing job performance of staff;
• Promptly reports any infraction of Bancroft policies to program management;
• Effectively communicates with Program Manager regarding all activities at assigned program site

22. Performs other related duties as assigned or as necessary. Remains flexible and adaptable in work schedules and work assignments as defined by program needs.

23. Abides by the Bancroft Code of Ethics, Mission Statement, and Vision Statement in promoting ethical behavior, establishing relationships and providing guidance in decision-making situations.

24. Remains current with required training certifications, meets state-regulated licensing and regulatory accreditations, and adheres to mandatory requirements.

25. Maintains effective verbal and written communications with colleagues, those served, and their family members and/or guardians when applicable.