Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Summary

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Envision Unlimited plays a crucial role in assisting individuals with disabilities in achieving and maintaining their maximum level of functioning in independent community living. This position involves monitoring and assisting residents with various daily tasks, including personal grooming, medication management, transportation, meal preparation, and more.

As a Direct Support Professional, you will provide direct, hands-on support to individuals with developmental disabilities in a residential (CILA) setting. This may include physically assisting individuals with personal hygiene, grooming, and daily living tasks; supporting individuals who may have behavioral or medical support needs, including responding to behavioral or medical emergencies using Agency-approved crisis prevention, de-escalation and physical intervention procedures, First Aid, and CPR procedures; and performing physically demanding tasks such as lifting, transferring, and light housekeeping.

DSPs should be aware that members may, at times, exhibit hostile or verbally aggressive behavior, including the use of profanity or language that may be offensive. DSPs must remain calm and professional, maintain appropriate boundaries, and respond in accordance with Agency-approved de-escalation, crisis prevention, and safety procedures.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Responsibilities, include but are not limited to

• Monitor and assist residents with personal grooming and appearance as necessary.
• Transport and accompany residents to appointments and other services, including day program sites, as needed.
• Supervise and assist residents in taking their medication in accordance with program guidelines.
• Assist residents in preparation of daily schedules to include performance of household chores, social activities, and other meetings and appointments.
• Perform cleaning and housekeeping duties such as vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, and mopping.
• Monitor and assist residents with daily bedroom maintenance.
• Respond to medical and behavioral emergencies following appropriate Health and Safety, Aggression Management, First Aid, CPR, and other procedures as necessary.
• Plan menus and assist with meal preparation as required.
• Perform other essential responsibilities as needed to meet program requirements.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibilities.

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

Employees shall respect the diversity of all individuals (e.g., clients, co-workers, stakeholders) and refrain from any form of discrimination and/or harassment based on religious, marital, ethnic, racial, gender, sexual orientation, or other differences.

Employees share the responsibility of creating and maintaining a welcoming and supportive work environment.

About Envision Unlimited: Founded in 1948 in Chicago, Envision Unlimited provides a full spectrum of care for individuals with disabilities ranging in age from infancy to 80+. We serve all individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, or ability to pay. Our innovative services span Chicagoland and Central Illinois and include community living, day programs, behavioral health, employment services, family respite, and foster care. Our innovative services span Chicagoland and Central Illinois and include community living, day programs, behavioral health, employment services, family respite, foster care and Supportive Housing.

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Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, and/or EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma/GED (required proof).
• Be able to pass a background check.
• Reliable transportation.
• DSP experience preferred.

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

As a condition of continued employment, you must complete all required training and certifications within the specified timelines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, physical requirements may include standing, walking, and sitting; seeing; hearing and listening; clear speech; dexterity and use of hands and fingers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment described here is representative of that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. The work environment may include any or all the following: working alone; working with others, verbal contact with others, and face-to-face contact.

These are requirements are for DSPs, can change dependent upon position.

Envision Unlimited provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.