Direct Support Professional - PRN (Hartford Co.)

Direct Support Professional

Catholic Charities is a non-profit organization with a diverse workforce of over 2000 employees of all faiths, ages and ethnicities who help to improve the lives of those we serve. We are the largest private provider of human services in Maryland operating over 80 programs throughout Maryland, serving children and families, people living in poverty, individuals with intellectual disabilities, immigrants, and seniors. Here, you can build a career where you make meaningful differences in the lives of others as we fulfill our mission to love, serve, teach, and work for justice.

Gallagher Services supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in living the life of their choice. Adults are supported in living, working and being involved in the community as independently as possible. The cornerstones of the program are person-centered planning and the mission and values of Catholic Charities.

Catholic Charities of Baltimore is currently seeking a Direct Support Professional who will provide quality living support (physical, social, behavioral, career, and personal) to persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) living and working in the community. The work schedule is PRN.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides hands-on assistance in the home including, but not limited to, individualized supports in transferring, bathing and grooming, and following specific dining protocols and treatments.
• Assists with and teaches skills in laundry, meal preparation, and other household chores.
• Utilizes the Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) approach for prevention, intervention, teaching, and attending to behaviors.
• Assists with doctors' appointments, emergency room, and hospital visits, and contacts on-call nursing appropriately while following HIPPA and always maintaining confidentiality and reports critical issues (including medical, maintenance, staffing, etc.) immediately to the supervisor.
• Maintains knowledge of Nursing Plans of Care (NPOC), feeding protocols, and safety practices and procedures including universal precautions.
• Completes all required trainings within 3 months of hire.
• Administers medications according to policies and procedures of Medication Technician Training Program/Certified Medication Technician (MTTP/CMT) curriculum, and applicable regulations.
• Attends Person-centered Planning (PCP) meetings as required.
• Utilizes the Agency Case Management Software to accurately document all relevant logs (i.e.: incident reporting, diary entries, goal/outcomes, etc.) including but not limited to; Communication/Diary Logs, Incident Reporting, Goals and Outcomes, and Fire Drill Logs, as outlined in policies and procedures.
• Assists all persons in being actively involved in their daily activities to achieve greater independence using person-centered planning and self-determination.
• Maintains the home and Agency vehicles through seasonal maintenance, routine cleaning, and the immediate reporting of issues or concerns.
• Attends and participates in all required events, workshops, trainings, and meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Availability to work 1 shift within a 90-day period.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Valid health certificate to meet current funding jurisdiction requirements.
• Ability to move and adjust a minimum of 75 pounds, stand for periods of time, bend, push wheelchairs, provide physical intervention as necessary, and be able to lift and/or transfer people.
• Hearing and vision abilities within normal range (corrected) to drive safely and to observe and communicate with people supported.
• To ensure the safety and well-being of the people we support, DSPs may be deployed to another setting during your working times on a short-term basis or as an interim assignment. Works in the community in a home/work setting with either multiple people or someone who lives/works autonomously.
• May be required to remain on shift outside of scheduled hours and/or make site/location changes to provide adequate staff coverage.
• Driving (Agency and/or personal vehicle) is required for this position. Driver must be at least 21 years of age, with a minimum of 2 years of driving experience, and a valid driver's license issued by the state of residence. There can be no state-issued restrictions on the licenses that would impede driver's ability to operate the vehicle as required by the Agency, and there must not be more than three (3) points on their driving record.

Skills/Competencies:

• Ability to drive multiple Agency vehicles following traffic rules and safety precautions. This includes, but is not limited to, safe driving, and the ability to secure people who use wheelchairs.
• Maintains a safe environment for patients and co-workers.
• Comfortable in an environment in which patients/clients cannot perform basic life duties.
• Understanding of basic concepts of personal care, housekeeping, and other care areas.
• Ability to relate to, empathize with, and show compassion for a variety of personalities.
• Writes clearly and effectively for reports, diaries, and other written communication.
• Requires the ability to utilize, or to learn to utilize, computer systems and software necessary to perform position functions. Basic PC, web browsing and Microsoft Outlook skills preferred.

Join Catholic Charities of Baltimore where you will be an important member of a trauma-informed care organization that promotes a culture of safety, empowerment, healing, and self-care, and that believes that every person has infinite worth and promise.

Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer.