Empowering Direct Support Specialist

Summary Position Type: Non-exempt, full-time or part-time, hourly role. Scope of Role: Responsible for providing direct support within a single program or unit, typically supporting 4-6 individuals in residential settings, or up to 10 individuals in periodic programs. Key Responsibilities Assist with daily activities: personal care, housekeeping, recreational activities, transportation, community integration, shopping, citizenship, and other activities of daily living. Deliver support per individual service/program plans, including socialization, health maintenance, medication administration, skill/behavioral development. Essential Job Functions To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential function listed below. Services and Supports Direct Support: Provides direct support or assistance in accordance with individual service or program plans; assists with socialization and behavioral development, personal care, housekeeping, recreational activities, transportation, community orientation, shopping, financial management, citizenship, and other activities of daily living. Records: Accurately documents progress and activity; reviews records and logs to stay abreast of changes in service plans; maintains confidentiality. Management of Individuals’ Assets: Makes cost‑effective and appropriate purchases within the budget of the individual served and according to their choice/preference. Relationships: Maintains healthy and professional relationships with individuals, friends, families, guardians and case managers; greets family members and other visitors; implements Sevita Customer Service Standards. Reporting: Reports any instance of alleged abuse or neglect according to internal and external standards; reports medical, behavioral and other incidents in accordance with Sevita policy and external requirements. Rights: Maintains confidentiality, respects the rights of persons being served, according to applicable the bill of rights; practices universal precautions; assists individuals in exercising their rights. Health Care Appointments: As needed, may accompany individuals to medical appointments; relays orders and information to and from medical providers as required. Medications: If assigned, accurately administers or supports self‑administration of medication and documents delivery of medications and treatments; promptly reports administration errors; maintains appropriate security of controlled medications and other medications and supplies. General Health Care: Monitors individual’s health; documents health concerns; communicates with nurse or supervisor as appropriate; calls 911 in the event of emergency; follows individual health care directives. Medical Supplies and Equipment: Correctly follows procedures in utilizing medical equipment; reports malfunction or disrepair. Meal Preparation: Prepares or supports individuals to prepare food in accordance with planned menus and individual choice; knows special diets and prepares individual meals accordingly; monitors mealtime and correctly implements any dining plans. Employment Responsibilities Training: Attends orientation and on‑going training as directed; participates in monthly staff meetings. Employee Scheduling: Works scheduled hours; arrives for work on time; stays on shift until replacement arrives; notifies supervisor in advance when unable to work as scheduled or as soon as possible after the designated start time; may fill in for other shifts where required without causing unapproved overtime, or in the event of emergency. Teamwork: Works together with others, values others contributions; is courteous; communicates openly; listens; and shows respect to others. Workplace Safety: Every employee plays a role in developing and maintaining a safe workplace; complies with all established safety policies, procedures, and rules; reports unsafe hazards to their supervisor and participates in safety related training or activities. Maintenance Vehicles: May transport individuals into the community; drives safely and according to local laws; ensures proper use of safety equipment including seat belts, lifts and wheelchair ties; reports accidents to appropriate authorities immediately; reports accidents and safety concerns immediately to supervisor or maintenance personnel. Housekeeping: Performs daily and seasonal housekeeping as directed; maintains neat, clean and safe environment; reports hazards or safety concerns. Maintenance and Repair: Monitors environmental safety and may make minor repairs, change light bulbs, etc.; may perform yard maintenance including keeping walkways safe and snow removal; reports equipment or facilities requiring repairs to supervisor or maintenance personnel as required. Safety: Checks water temperature as required when assisting with bathing; participates in safety drills and protects persons being served in the event of emergency. Other Performs other duties and activities as required. MPA = Mobile Punch Authorized for timekeeping. Minimum Knowledge and Skills Required for the Job The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required to perform the job. Education and Experience High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Six months of experience in human services preferred. Must be 18 years of age. Working knowledge of computers. Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations Valid driver’s license in good standing. Car registration and vehicle insurance if providing transportation for individuals receiving services. All state-required training(s) and certification(s) completed in mandated timeframes. Maintain valid driver’s license, meet all insurance requirements, and be approved by management to be a driver for the company. If an employee is determined to have lost their driving privileges by failing the company MVR driving record requirements per company policy, the employee will be required to sign a Non‑Driver form and restricted from driving on behalf of the company until their MVR report satisfies the company requirements for a good driving record. Work Environment Works at the program location and may accompany individuals into the community. Physical Requirements Heavy Work. Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Addendum CS New Jersey – Refer to: CS NJ Addendum – Direct Support Professional _1001 _ MPA 3429 Employees must cooperate with the licensee and Department of Human Services staff in any inspection, inquiry, or investigation. Must have a valid driver’s license in good standing in the State of New Jersey; however, in the event the person lives in another state and is commuting, they must have a valid driver’s license in good standing for the state in which they live. At minimum, a High School Diploma/Equivalent is required. All employees hired after 6/15/2018 shall submit to drug testing prior to employment. All employees shall submit to drug testing randomly and for cause/suspicion. Employees must submit to criminal background checks, and be determined not to be disqualified by the Department of Human Services prior to working with individuals served. In addition to this, it is a requirement that all employees agree to have their name checked against the Central Registry of Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, as well as completing an application to have their name checked against the Child Abuse Registry Information (CARI). Employees must successfully complete and demonstrate proficiency in all areas of required trainings. Shall be at least 18 years of age. #J-18808-Ljbffr