Direct Support Professional

Direct Care Professional (DSP)

The Direct Care Professional (DSP) is responsible for supporting individuals through teaching, coaching, modeling, and accompanying individuals with disabilities so that they are involved in family, neighborhood, civic, cultural and religious activities and events. In a variety of settings, the DSP will work with individuals with varying degrees of mental health diagnoses and abilities. DSP upholds dignity and respect of individual(s) served by promoting person-centered care while documenting and assisting activities of daily living in a safe and sanitary environment.

Work Location Type

Direct Care

• Supports Individual(s) in tasks in a residential and/or community setting to include activities of daily living and personal care such as feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting.
• May prepare or assist with preparing meals that promote proper nutrition, good health and meet Individual-specific dietary needs.
• May accompany individual(s) to a variety of scheduled medical appointments, completing pre/post paperwork, as needed.
• May dispense appropriate individual medication based on established policy and protocol; immediately report errors.
• May transport or arrange for transport of individual(s), following vehicle policy and procedure and adheres to driving laws.
• Performs or assists, guides and supports housekeeping functions.
• Documents individual daily progress report in individual's electronic health record; updates all communication logs as directed.
• Immediately reports to manager, any uncharacteristic situation(s) for appropriate direction.

Support Of An Individual's Support Plan(s)

• Supports and guides continued progress toward individual's goals and outcomes.
• Follows any individual-specific nursing care plan or behavior plan.
• Increases independence by facilitating, and promoting individual's engagement in and use of, community resources, facilities and activities.
• As part of an interdisciplinary team, shares information and observations in the development, review, and maintenance, for individual's support plan.
• May support, guide and encourage individual(s) to access public transportation.

Compliance

• Complies with Merakey Policy and Procedures.
• Completes required documentation and correspondences in accordance with Federal, State, County, and Merakey policies and regulations.
• Follows emergency procedures as directed, i.e. Emergency Evacuation and Relocation Plan, Inclement Weather, etc.
• Performs all duties in accordance with HIPAA.
• Follows Merakey Code of Conduct.
• Completes, passes and maintains mandatory training.

In addition to the essential functions listed above, the employee is expected to exercise honesty, integrity and respect with all individuals and co-workers, maintain a professional appearance and demeanor, demonstrate a positive attitude, communicate effectively with co-workers and individuals and community members, work with accuracy, efficiency, and attention to detail, respect the work environment and keep it as neat and clean as possible, and exercise initiative to learn new skills and tasks and to help co- workers when possible. The employee is also expected to perform other related duties and functions as required.

Benefits

Merakey offers generous benefits that promote well-being, financial security, and work-life balance, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan -- both pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) options available for employee contributions.
• DailyPay -- access your pay when you need it!
• On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
• Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
• Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.

About Merakey

Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!

Education/License/Certification(s)

• High school diploma or GED
• Certification-Registered Behavior Technician or licensed psychiatric technician; or become a registered behavior technician within twelve months of initial employment.

Experience: Minimum Required

• 6 months experience working with IDD/MH population or equivalent

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Valid driver's license, if required
• Ability to read, speak, write and comprehend the English language
• Must have desire to help others reach their fullest potential
• Completes PPD testing and Physical Examination upon hire and minimally every 2 years thereafter, if required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule when needed
• Ability to model, teach, and encourage socially-acceptable behaviors as needed