Direct Care Professional

Job Description

Job Description

Agency Description

At PossAbility, LLC, we strive to be the difference we wish to see in the world, investing fully into the community with a heartfelt, person-centered, ability focus. We honor each person’s unique gifts, supporting them to be all they can and desire to be. Our mission is Engaging hearts, Empowering lives, and Encouraging every possibility to blossom into reality . We believe in a world where everyone is seen and supported, every individual deserves a community where their abilities are celebrated and their voice is heard. PossAbility ensures feelings of inclusion, dignity, respect, support, safety, and most importantly accepting who they are, as they are.

Job Description

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) in Illinois helps people with diverse abilities and disabilities to live independently and have a good quality of life . DSPs help with daily tasks, provide emotional support, and advocate for their clients. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Person-Centered Support & Advocacy

• Compassionate Care: Provide hands-on assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, and all applicable ADLs and IADLs, always maintaining the client’s dignity.
• Community Integration: Facilitate community involvement, social inclusion, and independence. This includes driving clients to appointments and social outings and providing support with job hunting or employment.
• Community Involvement : Ensure access to the community and involvement in activities. Assist with building social skills and teaching best practices for community safety
• Health & Wellness: Ensure medications are taken on time, cook meals according to dietary restrictions/preferences, and maintain a clean, safe living environment through housekeeping and laundry.  
• Personal care : Help with dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, and all applicable ADLs and IADLs
• Ambulation/Mobility : Assist with transfers utilizing gait belts, mechanical lifts, and best practices for body mechanics. Support individuals with standby assistance, assistive devices such as a wheelchair, walker, etc., and maintain safe ambulation practices to prevent falls or potential injuries.

2. Compliance, Policy & Mandated Reporting

• Regulatory Adherence: Abide by all PossAbility Policies, the Illinois Administrative Code, Federal Regulations, State of Illinois regulations, and CMS Rules and Regulations.
• Confidentiality: Maintain strict adherence to HIPAA regulations, ensuring the privacy and security of all clients Protected Health Information (PHI).
• Documentation : Record services provided, health, behaviors, and uncommon events. Notate observations regarding client functioning and achievement of goals set. 
• Reporting : Report any changes of condition and incidents to supervisor and/or guardian if applicable immediately upon discovery and document as outlined in the agency’s policy manual
• Mandated Reporting: Act as a Mandated Reporter by immediately reporting any suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the appropriate state agencies and internal supervisors, as required by law.
• File Maintenance: Provide updated personal documentation, current contact information, and professional certifications to management to ensure your personnel file remains in full compliance.

3. Communication & Team Collaboration

• Integrated Treatment Team: Actively participate as an inclusive member of the entire treatment team to ensure consistency and continuity of care.
• Client Communication : Inform supervisors of the clients' needs and goals as they evolve over time. Ensure supervisor and Director are aware of any changes in care need or concern regarding the client’s care plan  
• Professional Communication: Maintain proactive and clear communication with supervisors, colleagues, clients, and "natural supports" (family/guardians).
• Documentation: Accurately record services provided, health status, behaviors, and progress toward goals. Ensure all documentation is relevant, timely, and compliant with agency standards.

4. Adaptability & Professional Growth

• Reasonable Additional Tasks: Remain open and willing to perform additional tasks as assigned that are necessary to ensure proper care for the client, maintain agency compliance, or further professional education.
• Continuous Education: Participate in ongoing training, workshops, and staff meetings to stay current on best practices in IDD and TBI care.
• Observation & Improvement: Monitor and notate changes in client functioning to help the team refine and improve support strategies

Qualifications

• Experience:
  • Minimum of 1 year of Direct Care experience.
  • Minimum of 1 year of experience working with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
  • Minimum of 1 year of In-Home Care experience
  • Possess basic knowledge regarding personal care tasks, household management (including housekeeping, laundry, and financial support), meal preparation (including special diets and nutritional values)
• Education & Certifications:
  • High School Diploma or GED.
  • Be an active Direct Support Professional (DSP) and in the HCWR, having completed an approved DSP training program (Required)
  • Current CPR/First Aid Certificate (Required)
• Legal & Logistics:
  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Valid Driver’s License and current Auto Insurance.
  • Ability to pass all required registry clearances and criminal background checks.

• Skills: Strong verbal communication, active listening, and a compassionate, "big-hearted" approach to service. Must possess interpersonal skills, ability to multi-task, have critical thinking, practice active listening and validation, have reading comprehension, a teamwork mindset, a person-centered approach, and problem-solving skills.