Direct Support Professional

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Direct Support Professional, you will provide compassionate, person-centered support to individuals with developmental disabilities, empowering them to live fulfilling lives and achieve their goals. Every day you will directly assist individuals with daily living activities (e.g., personal care, meals, medication, transportation), implement support plans, document progress, and facilitate community integration. You will foster a safe, respectful environment and communicate with families and care teams. To be successful in this role, you will possess a genuine passion for supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, demonstrating patience, empathy, and strong communication skills.

LEARNING ABOUT THE PERSON SUPPORTED

• Builds a positive rapport with people by learning their wants, needs, and desires
• Learns about the person’s spirituality, social history and life experiences through education and a variety of community experiences
• Uses the person’s plan, Personal Outcome Measures information, and other assessments to learn about each person’s goals and dreams. Supports each person to direct their own services, achieve their goals and dreams, and remove barriers that hinder the accomplishment of the person’s goals and dreams

SPECIFIC JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures each person within the department has all of his/her basic assurances met
• Attends program training with the QIDP and accurately implements all OSP/PCSP programs, learning objectives, and supports. Attends team meetings and completes assessments as required
• Documents in an accurate and timely manner in all applicable records, charts and files of people supported

INTEGRATION AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

• Learns about people’s vocational, community and social interests through experience and exposure
• Assists people to remain connected to their natural supports (family, close friends, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc
• Supports people to be active members of the community (i.e., employment, volunteer work, belonging to clubs/ organizations, participating in church activities, etc.) by emphasizing choices and options

HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE PERSON SUPPORTED

• Learns about the best possible health needs (including physical and mental health) for the person you are supporting, including knowledge of medications taken by the person and the effects of the medications
• Supports people to become involved in their personal health needs, accompanies people to medical appointments, provides support during medical procedures, and completes follow-up recommendations
• Administers medications and completes treatments according to the Medication Administration Record
• Maintains current First Aid and CPR certification
• Assists and supports people to have a safe and clean environment in which to live and work
• Learns about nutritional and healthy lifestyle recommendations through meal planning and preparation
• Supports people to look their best by providing assistance in areas of hygiene, grooming, and attire

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF DEPARTMENT

• Assists and supports people to learn about their rights, due process, and fair treatment
• Ensures people we support are free of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, and exploitation
• Serve as a personal advocate for people and teach members of the community to treat people we support with dignity and respect through respectful communication and interactions
• Advocate and job source with employers, community members, families and other stakeholders to develop needed supports and services

Job Requirements

Required

• High School or equivalent diploma or one year of work experience preferred

Preferred

• One year of work experience

Where You'll Work

CHI Friendship is founded on the positive impact diversity has in our communities when embraced. Our successful team members genuinely enjoy learning about the people we support and helping them achieve independence while reaching their goals and dreams.