Direct Support Professional (LS)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary: 

The Direct Support Professional establishes a secure and positive environment that nurtures the client’s self-expression, needs, and goals. Provide life skills, pre-vocational, vocational, and alternative program instruction to adults with developmental disabilities. Provide personal care services to adults with developmental disabilities. Responsible for daily functions of the Life Skills Program under the supervision of the Life Skills Coordinator. 

Essential Job Functions include:  

• Train and/or assist clients in activities of daily living including feeding, toileting, cleaning themselves, cleaning the environment, etc.  
• Assure clients participate in and are informed of progress toward goals and objectives as written in the individual's program plan. 
• Assure clients’ rights and safety while treating others with dignity and respect in all situations as required by the Elizabeth Richardson Center Policies & Procedures and State/Federal guidelines.
• Provide direct personal care to adults with developmental disabilities.
• Document and submit clients’ daily goals, client attendance, and documentation in Therap on a daily basis. 
• Document and submit required reports to supervisors as required by State/Federal guidelines including but not limited to behavior reports, incident reports, etc. 
• Responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of work and break areas.

Qualifications - Knowledge/Skills/Abilities include: 

• Ability to communicate effectively with consumers, clients, and staff.  
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to write detailed reports and correspondences. 
• Attention to detail – adhering to specific protocols and rules while carefully following instructions for the needs of the clients.
• Interpersonal skills when working with clients – includes having compassion and being sensitive to their emotional needs when they are in extreme distress.

Work Environment: 

• The work environment is indoors with regulated temperature control. Noise level varies depending on the environment.

Physical Demands:  This position requires sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing, pulling, talking to people, planning work activities for clients, and working on a team.

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

Travel:  Less than 10% of local travel excepted for this position.

Required Education and Experience: 

• Minimum years of experience required – one year of work experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.

Preferred Education and Experience:  Preferred level of education required – 

• Preferred level of education required – High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience.
• Preferred years of experience required – Two or more years of related experience.
• Preferred knowledge of programs and services for individuals with disabilities.
• Preferred experience in nonprofit organizations.
• Previous work with state licensures and related annual audits a plus.

Additional Eligibility qualifications:  

• Must pass an extensive background check.
• Must be in compliance with drug testing requirements.
• Reliable transportation is required.
• If you are a van driver for ERC, you must have a valid Arkansas driver’s license, meet safe driver’s requirements and be 25 years of age.
• Required and or Preferred Certificates for this job – Preferred Certified Nursing Assistant.
• Licensure requirements- Must meet minimum licensure annual training requirements. 
  1. This role includes Developmental Disability Services (DDS), Behavior Management Training, CPR, First Aide, Health & Safety, and HIPPA training.

Other Duties:  As required to fulfill the ERC mission.

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

The employee signature below constitutes the employee’s understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position. I further understand;

• It is my responsibility to forward requests for reasonable accommodation in writing to the Human Resources Department.
• It is my responsibility to notify Human Resources of any health condition that would impact the performance of essential position functions and/or any communicable disease or illness that has been contracted which would endanger staff or consumers during the normal course of performing essential position functions.

“THIS IS A SAFETY-SENSITIVE JOB FOR PURPOSES OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAL MARIJUANA AMENDMENT”

AAP/EEO STATEMENT:

The Elizabeth Richardson Center (ERC) is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, creed, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, ancestry, family status, medical condition, family care leave, genetic predisposition or status as a covered veteran and other protected characteristic under applicable law. 

ERC embraces the concepts of a diverse workforce, and applies this to all phases of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, reduction of workforce and termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation, selection for training, the use of all facilities, and participation in all company-sponsored employee activities. Provisions in applicable laws providing for bona fide occupational qualifications, business necessity, or age limitations will be adhered to by the company where appropriate.

ERC will take affirmative action as called for by applicable laws and Executive Orders to ensure that minority group individuals, females, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans, Armed Forces service medal veterans, and qualified disabled persons are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities.