Direct Support Profession

Job Description

Job Description

Description

Direct support professionals provide direct services clients in the provision of staffed residence supports, personal care, personal assistance, community living supports, adult day training and respite care services.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to Director of Community Based Programs.  

Responsibilities/Activities:

Assist clients in meeting specified goals and outcomes developed by the client’s person-centered team as outlined in the client’s person-centered service plan.

Goals may include age-appropriate community engagement and inclusion, assistance and training in activities of daily living, managing medical care, transportation that is not otherwise available through the Medicaid program, build positive social behaviors, develop relationships, foster independence and personal choice, adaptive skill development, adult education supports, social and leisure development, protective oversight and supervision, enable individuals to attain skills to secure and maintain employment, assist individuals in accomplishing tasks they would normally do for themselves if they didn’t have a disability, and provide primary caregivers with relief from caregiving responsibilities.

Administer medication with appropriate training and consent.

Ensure clients’ health, safety and welfare by supervising the home, residential, day training and community environment of the client.

Complete appropriate client-related and home maintenance tasks to ensure the client well-being and maintenance of a clean and organized home environment.

Provide opportunities for development and growth through social interaction, encouraging communication, emotional reassurance and encouragement of activities that stimulate the mind.

Engage clients in their community which includes planning activities, providing transportation to and from community activities and providing the appropriate level of supervision in the community.

Provide respite care for families in accordance with person-centered service plans.

Assist with essential developmental functions, which may include adult education activities, personal care, meal preparation and planning, etc..

Assist clients with service coordination including transportation, medical appointments, community appointments, etc.

Transport and escort clients to medical facilities and appointments and assist in scheduling appointments as appropriate. This includes schedule, urgent and emergent medical services.

Participate in person-center team meetings and provide input and make suggestions for activities that will enhance the client’s progression toward goals, health, safety and overall welfare.

Ensures the home and community environments of clients are clean, safe and meets clients physical, social, mental and emotional needs.

Monitor services, supplies and resources available to the client.

Follow the client’s written person-centered service plan and provide the appropriate level of supervision.

Observe clients and their environments and report unsafe behaviors and conditions to management.

Report to supervisor and complete incident reports for events that impact or could potentially impact the health, safety and welfare of clients.

Observe clients and report behavioral, physical and/or cognitive changes to management and the client’s person-centered team.

Ensure services are delivered in accordance with all relevant company policies, procedures and practices.

Complete and maintain documentation of progress toward goals outlined in the client’s person-centered service plan, notes regarding daily activities, observations, direct hours of service, daily notes, medication administration records (MARs), client behavior logs, client presence logs and other client-related documentation daily.

Attend in-service training sessions and staff meetings and obtain six hours of professional development annually.

Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.

Make decisions and solve problems.

Communicate with clients, their parents and/or legal guardians, direct supervisor, co-workers and other members of the client’s person-centered team.

Observe, receive and obtain information from relevant sources.

Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

Knowledge of home and community management and skills necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of each client.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing direct support services to individuals with developmental disabilities including individual needs, meeting quality standards and evaluation of client satisfaction.

Knowledge of the English language.

Knowledge of the information and techniques necessary to ensure safety, health, and welfare of clients.

Knowledge of the information and techniques necessary to diagnose and treat injuries including emergency first aid and CPR.

Knowledge of clerical procedures such as documenting activities, maintaining records and completing forms.

Knowledge of medication administration as necessary.

Qualifications/Education

At least 18 years or older and has a high school diploma or GED; or

Is at least 21 years of age (applicants 21+ do not have to supply a high school diploma or GED);

Has a social security number or valid work permit;

Possess a current driver’s license Current driver’s license;

Proper Vehicle Insurance Coverage.

Training/Experience:

Requires related experience.

CPR and First Aid Certification (preferred not required. Milestones offers in-house training)

Requires job and company related training including mandated crisis prevention, medication administration training and all appropriate training through the College of Direct Support.