Day Support Activities Specialist

DSA Specialist

Join our team and become a part of a supportive community dedicated to individual and community enrichment.

Catholic Community Services (CCS) is a faith-based organization, rooted in the values of Love, Justice, Truth, and Freedom, that has continually served the community for over 85 years. We seek individuals who are motivated, compassionate, and eager to make a difference in their community. Join us today and become a champion in the lives of others!

Pay: $18.06 - $22.56

Schedule: Monday – Friday 8am- 5pm

Location: Salem / Albany

Type: Full Time / Non-Exempt

General Position Summary:

The DSA Specialist is responsible for assisting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to access a wide range community-based day services and activities. This role involves working independently with the individuals served in the community assisting them to acquire, retain and improve skills that promote their independence. The DSA Specialist fosters an environment of support, encouragement and respect while helping individuals enhance their quality of life and achieve greater autonomy in their daily activities.

Benefits we provide:

• 4 weeks Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) per year
• Employer contribution to Employee/Spouse/Dependent medical coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Employer Match
• Flexible Spending Accounts Medical/Dependent Care (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Group Life Insurance Plan
• 6 Paid Holidays/ Holiday Pay
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Jury Duty Paid Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Wellness Activity Discounts
• Annual performance evaluations
• Employee appreciation events
• Employee Assistance Program
• Legal Guidance
• Work-life Solutions
• Will Preparation
• Emotional/financial guidance

Additional Benefits Offered: Multiple Dental Plan Options Vision Plan Options Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance Supplemental Insurance Discount Gym Memberships with Certain Medical Enrollment Employee Referral Program On the job training and CPR/First Aid certification

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

1. High School Diploma/GED and
2. Current certification in CPR and First Aid or ability to obtain certification within 30 days of employment and
3. Reliable transportation, valid driver's license (or the ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver license within 30 days of hire) and a driving record that permits coverage under the agency's corporate auto liability policy and personal automobile liability insurance coverage.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

Work-related knowledge and experience in DSA field

Medication Administration a plus!

Required to demonstrate Job Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

1. Individual Support Plans, Emergency Response Procedures, OAR applicable standards and other State requirements, Self Determination Principles and Practices, Person/Resident Rights
2. Adult Residential Services Program policies, procedures, and statement of purpose
3. Communicate effectively (written and oral) and appropriately with verbal or non-verbal individuals.
4. Follow RN, physician, dental, and health care professional's direction for care.
5. Gather data and documents accurately in written and electronic format.
6. Complete and be competent in core competencies.
7. Be flexible and work in a fast-paced environment.
8. Prioritize workload, complete tasks and meet deadlines.
9. Drive a full-size passenger van equipped with a wheelchair lift.
10. Maintain confidential information and work with all the people we serve.
11. Work independently and as a team member.
12. Follow directions and be accurate.
13. Respond to changing health care needs.
14. Maintain a positive, calm and professional demeanor, including while in stressful situations.

Essential Position Functions and Key Work Processes:

1. Relate to customers in a continuous, consistent, warm, caring, and age-appropriate manner.
2. Assists the individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities receiving Day Support Activities (DSA) services to meet their DSA goals and desired outcomes by assisting with the following:
1. Research, develop, plan, schedule, and provide structured services and skill building activities designed to meet the needs of the individuals' receiving services in accordance with their DSA measurable goals outlined on their current ISP.
2. Actively participate in the development and directly implement the DSA plan for individuals receiving DSA services to reflect their interests, capabilities, needs, desires, culture and to enhance their skills and level of independence.
3. Encourage the individuals served to express and develop their individual interests. Provide opportunities for the individual to do activities that they enjoy as well as explore new and interesting activities that involve the broader community.
4. Provide individuals served with opportunities to maintain or enhance their existing skills, overall functioning and independence, and a sense of belonging and community integration through various person-centered community activities.
5. Assist the individuals served in achieving their goals and valued outcomes by providing prompts, reminders, guidance and role modeling in areas such as socialization, personal hygiene, appropriate behavior, etc. while participating in day support activities.
6. Maintain accurate and up to date program required documentation in accordance with program specific and regulatory rule requirements.
7. Facilitate the individuals served in integrated settings in the community to foster the ability to acquire, retain and improve skills necessary to use available community resources, improve self-awareness, and self-control.
8. Assist the individuals served in acquiring, retaining, and improving expressive and receptive skills in verbal and non-verbal language, social responsiveness, social amenities, and interpersonal skills.
9. Assists the individuals with communication barriers by developing a person-centered communication process/system so that the individual served may make their desires, interests and abilities known.
10. Provide support necessary to build and strengthen relationships with family members and friends. Assist in developing community relationships including natural support and exploring resources available that assist the individual to be an active member of their community.
11. Provide activities of daily living (ADL/iADL) supports as required and outlined in the individuals served current ISP in order to maintain their health, safety, and comfort. This may include tasks such as direct assistance with toileting, dressing, bathing, feeding, and specialized medical and behavioral support while providing DSA services.
3. Assist as requested in other program areas including acts as a back up to Adult Residential Services DSP staff as needed to assist the individuals served in activities of daily living activities necessary to maintain their health and safety including but not limited to:
1. Perform personal care tasks as needed including but not limited to personal hygiene care which may include brushing teeth, brushing hair, bathing/showering, toileting, changing of incontinence products, feeding (orally and via gastric or jejunostomy tube if prescribed), and dressing.
2. Administer medications to the individuals served according to agency policy and as ordered by their physician.
4. Transports the individuals served to planned DSA activities, or assists in arranging transportation and developing transportation skills, as outlined in their current ISP.
5. Provide support and supervision necessary to maintain a safe environment for the individuals served during activities.
6. Completes monthly safety checklist for the agency van.
7. Ensures routine maintenance for agency van is up-to-date and completed as needed.
8. Reports all needed maintenance to immediate Supervisor.
9. Always uses safe lifting techniques.
10. Review and practice recommended health and safety procedures.
11. Assist in the orientation and training of other DSA staff.