Weekend Direct Support Professional

Daily Living Skills Counselor

Under the supervision of the Shared Housing, the Daily Living Skills Counselor at JESPY House serves individuals with learning, developmental and behavioral health disabilities through support and development of daily living skills; positive direction; and, advocacy in the community on behalf of and with the client.

Responsibilities

Supports JESPY House policies, vision, and core values while empowering all clients to direct their own life choices.

Maintains and expands skills and knowledge relevant to providing high quality support and services. Attends trainings as directed and applies new knowledge to current assignment. Obtains and maintains all required certifications. As a support service counselor, the DLS Counselor communicates regularly and proactively interfaces with JESPY Case Managers as required.

Provides supportive services to individual clients; if more in depth services are required, initiate a referral to the Case Manager.

Establishes a collaborative relationship with involved family members or significant others to advance identified goals.

Essential Functions

Collaborates with the assigned Case Manager

Assist with food ordering or shopping when necessary

Supervise and teach necessary skills regarding cooking, cleaning and laundry

Report to supervisors and/or building superintendent about needed repairs

Inspect client's refrigerator on a weekly basis

Conduct monthly fire drills and coordinate inspection of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Represents as the agency liaison with building superintendents

Informs client, case manager, family and/or support coordinator when new clothes, shoes, or household appliances are needed

Cooperates with licensee or DDD staff in any inspection or investigation

Must check email and voicemail daily

Utilize Foothold Awards daily to access client information. All notes are required to be entered into Foothold within a 3 (three) day period from date of client interaction.

Responsible for tracking both non-DDD and DDD clients' progress through electronic documentation as well as client goals through the daily tracking record as it relates to their service plan.

Attend any additional Foothold trainings, workshops and meetings.

Other responsibilities as assigned.

General knowledge of agency policy and procedures

Submits weekly and monthly reports on client's status

Informs case manager when new clothes, shoes, or household appliances are needed

Cooperates with licensee or DDD staff in any inspection or investigation

Competencies

Work Ethic

Flexibility and Adaptability

Judgment

Ability to Work Independently

Communications.

Confidentiality

Listening Skills

Awareness.

Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships

Supporting Good Health

Commitment to Core Value

Adhere strictly to HIPAA requirements and all agency confidentiality guidelines.

Establish positive, balanced relationships with clients, as demonstrated by:

Treatment of individuals with respect and dignity and in an age and culturally appropriate manner;

A commitment towards the individual's rights and responsibilities; and

Establishment of clear boundaries that allow for productive interactions.

Reporting

n/a

Other Responsibilities

Other responsibilities that may arise within the job scope

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Educational Requirements

High School Diploma with some college preferred

Work Experience Requirement

Experience with individuals with developmental disabilities preferred

Valid driver's license and car

Basic computer skills

Good communication skills

Skills/Abilities

Knowledgeable about the person-centered approach to service delivery. As an empathic listener, remain patient, listen carefully and offer appropriate feedback to clients served.

Maintain strict and professional boundaries particularly regarding confidentiality.

Understanding of learning and developmental disabilities and best approaches to working with clients with these disabilities.

Communicates effectively in writing; completes all time sensitive written and electronic documents.

Skilled at collaborating well with other members of the interdisciplinary team.

Proficient with Foothold EHR, Microsoft Word and Excel

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Hourly

Availability between the hours of 8am and 7pm may be required, based on the needs of the clients.

Special Working Conditions/Physical/Requirements Working Environment

Able to walk up and downstairs.

Must be available for coverage on some weekends and after 5pm when required.

Valid driving license is required

Must hold a high school diploma

Valid New Jersey driver's license is required

Must hold CPR/First Aid Valid Certification

Successful clearance of NJ background check

Successful clearance of Drug Screening

Has fulfilled the necessary training requirements and is in good standing in order to bill Medicaid for Support and Community Care Waiver (CCW) Services and CDS

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.

Direct Reports

n/a

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience

Notes/Comments

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.