Direct Support Professional - Caregiver

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

Provides individualized quality care to clients in an environment which promotes their rights, dignity, and freedom of choice; implements programs and services as specified in the client’s individualized service plan; completes accurately all reports, data collection and other information documenting the care and services provided in keeping with licensing regulations and Agency policies.

Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities:

• Is knowledgeable of resident’s rights and ensures an atmosphere which allows for the privacy, dignity, and well-being of all residents in a safe, secure environment.
• Supports, cooperates with, and implements specific procedures and programs for:
  • Safety, including universal precautions and safe work practices, established fire/safety/disaster plans, risk management, and security, report and/or correct unsafe working conditions, equipment repair and maintenance needs. 
  • Confidentiality of all data, including residents, employee, and operations data. 
  • Compliance with all regulatory requirements. 
  • Compliance with current law and policy to provide a work environment free from sexual harassment and all illegal and discriminatory behavior.
• Cooperates and works together with all co-workers; plans and complete job duties with minimal supervisory direction, including appropriate judgment.
• Conducts self in a tactful, professional manner in all forms of communication and interpersonal relationships.
• Follows-up, as appropriate, with supervisor, co-workers or consumers regarding reported complaints, problems, and concerns.
• Promotes positive public relations with residents, family members, guests, and government representatives.
• Completes requirements for in-service training, house meetings, acceptable attendance, dress codes, including personal hygiene, and other work duties as assigned.
• Use computer software for documentation and communication
• Provides quality care to clients in an environment which promotes their rights, dignity, freedom of choice, and their individuality as illustrated by the following:
• Provides individualized attention, which encourages each client’s ability to maintain or attain the highest practical physical, mental and psychosocial well-being.
• Knowledgeable of the individualized service plan for clients and provide support to the client according to the service plan.  Contribute to the service planning process by providing the service and care planning staff with specific information and observations of the clients’ needs and preferences.
• Attends to the individual needs of clients which may include coaching and assistance with grooming, bathing, oral hygiene, feeding, incontinent care, toileting, prosthetic appliances, transferring, ambulation, and range of motion exercises, communication, and other needs in keeping with the individuals’ care requirements.
• Provides monitoring and management of clients socially unacceptable behavior while providing positive mental and emotional interaction and coaching to teach socially acceptable behavior. 
• Will work directly with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
• Maintains the comfort, privacy, and dignity of each client in the delivery of services to them.  Interact with clients in a manner that displays warmth and promotes a caring environment. 
• Fully understands all aspects of clients’ rights, including the right to be free of restraints and free of abuse.  Responsible for promptly reporting incidents or evidence of client abuse or violation of clients’ rights.
• Assists in maintaining a safe, neat, and clean environment; reporting environmental deficiencies to the Maintenance Department.
• Protects the personal belongings of each client, such as eyeglasses, clothing, furnishings, cash, etc., and promptly reports missing items according to established policy and participate in efforts to locate missing items.
• Observes clients for changes in health condition or behavior and promptly report these changes to appropriate licensed nursing personnel.
• Administers medication and performs treatments according to established policy and procedures. May also check vital signs and collect specimens.
• Performs all job responsibilities in accordance with prescribed safety and infection control procedures including thorough hand washing, use of disposable gloves where indicated, and proper disposal of soiled materials.
• Lifts, moves, and transports clients using proper body mechanics along with lifting devices and other staff member assistance to prevent injury.
• Drives HGH vehicles in a safe and responsible manner while transporting clients to doctor appointments, recreational activities, and other events. Follows guidelines and all procedures for safely securing passengers, wheelchairs and cargo. 
• Completes all records documenting care provided or other information in keeping with Agency policies. 
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Values:

• Innovation - We encourage creativity and innovation because we believe that by striving for more efficient and effective ways of doing things, we can achieve exceptional results. Our drive for success is shared by all. Our organization focuses on solutions and refuses to maintain the status quo. We challenge our team to be ahead of industry trends as we strive to lead and not follow.
• Collaboration - We believe that working together collaboratively is the foundation of a culture that values teamwork, communication, and cooperation. This belief is central to every part of our business, both internally and externally, and strengthens our community.
• Accountability - We take responsibility for our actions and for delivering on our commitments. We believe that by being transparent and accountable, we build trust and maintain the respect of our stakeholders.
• Respect - We treat everyone with respect and dignity. We value inclusivity and believe that by upholding a culture of respect, we can foster a positive and supportive work environment. We treat others as we would want to be treated.
• Empathy - We value empathy and understanding in all our interactions. We seek to understand the perspectives and needs of our colleagues, clients, and stakeholders to meet them with kindness and compassion.

Knowledge, Skills, and Education:

• High School diploma or GED required. Medical Assistant Diploma or Certificate preferred.
• Read, write and understand the English language.
• Able to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, co-workers, neighbors, volunteers, vendors and the general public.
• Possess high degree of patience and the ability to tolerate frustrating situations.
• Knowledge of HIPAA Guidelines and Patient Privacy required.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification is mandatory.
• Able to multi-task and manage work time efficiently.
• Able to see, talk, hear, walk, bend, stoop, sit, stand, reach, and lift items weighing 30 pounds or less repeatedly during a shift.
• Able to lawfully and safely drive an agency vehicle in all traffic situations and weather conditions.
• Able to perform housekeeping tasks such as laundry, bed-making, meal prep, cooking and housecleaning.
• Previous experience providing services to persons with developmental, learning or physical disabilities preferred but not required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of hire.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol test within 24 hours of a job offer.
• Must pass a pre-employment health screening/TB Test; and annually thereafter.
• Have a criminal records clearance from DHS and/or DSS (Live Scan fingerprinting).
• Must possess a valid California driver’s license, proof of safe driving record (current DMV report required), and have 24 months of licensed driving experience.
• Must pass vehicle transportation training and an “observed” road test annually.
• Must complete all other required new hire training including CPR/First Aid.
• Must maintain confidentiality of client Protected Health Information (PHI) used for treatment, payment, health care, etc. and personal information of clients.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:

This position involves:

• Regularly and frequently required to perform physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, reaching, carrying, lifting, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling; and will assist with lifting, moving and transferring adult clients from wheelchairs, shower chairs, toilets, beds, chairs etc. to a variety of locations within the home and community. Will occasionally be required to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Work involves a significant amount of locomotion including the operation of an agency vehicle (in town & freeway driving) and movement of clients to and from the vehicle to the office, clinics, community agencies, schools and day programs.
• May be exposed to virus and/or infection.
• Will be required to work at any Agency location as needed and be responsible for own transportation to and from these locations.
• May have work schedule changed based on operational needs with appropriate notice.
• Must be available and willing to work such overtime, weekend, and holiday hours as the Agency determines are necessary or desirable to meet its business and client needs.
• Due to the nature of the job requirements, Direct Support Professionals have a “Working Lunch” and the hours of work are inclusive of the mealtime.
• Employees must maintain the skills necessary to safely and efficiently operate the following equipment and machines used in the performance of this job.
• Telephone/Fax machine.
• Mechanical lifts (Hoyer) when applicable, wheelchairs, adaptive equipment, adjustable chairs/beds, adaptive eating utensils, bath aids, transfer benches.
• Computers.
• Household appliances.
• Minivan/automobile.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Home of Guiding Hands is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression), age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

About HGH:

Home of Guiding Hands is a non-profit organization that was established in 1967 by a small group of dedicated and ambitious community members. The Mission of HGH is "to improve the lives of those we serve". We support children and adults in San Diego and Imperial Counties with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, epilepsy, autism, and cerebral palsy. We provide a full continuum of care including residential care in specialized group homes, independent living support, respite care, and adult foster home services. Additionally, we provide early childhood assessments and services, tailored day support, Life Planning workshops, county-wide transportation services, and on-site activities at our resource center.

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