Direct Support Professional

Job Description

Job Description

The Direct Support Professional position is full-time, with a 37.5-hour workweek.

JOB SUMMARY: 
The Direct Support Professional provides day support services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  This position facilitates engaging activities and teaches basic life skills (i.e., safety, hygiene, socialization) both in the community and at the center.

 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: 
The Direct Support Professional will report directly to the Day Program Supervisor.

 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
This list is not exhaustive or all-inclusive of job responsibilities. The time allotted for any function or duty is subject to change with or without notice. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign other responsibilities to this job or reassign them elsewhere at any time. 

• Evaluate and implement the most appropriate teaching/learning strategies for each individual
• Support, mentor, and encourage individuals toward achievement of outcomes in their  service plan
• Plan and prepare engaging daily activities for individuals assigned independently or as a team approach when necessary and ensure the safety of all individuals, promote self-esteem, and protect fundamental human rights 
• Participate in the development and implementation of service plans and quarterly reviews of the individuals and communicate relevant individual information updates to the DS Case Manager
• Perform personal care needs such as assistance for eating, toileting, and personal hygiene for the individual as needed and as outlined in the individual’s Individual Service Plan
• Supervise and administer medication taken by individuals and maintain Medication Administration Record
• Assist in training new direct support professionals as the need relates to the individuals
• Transport individuals as needed to and from the Day Support Program in a DePaul vehicle, if available
• Participate in general cleaning of the facility on a daily basis (i.e., wash tables, vacuum, clean floors, windows, vehicles, clean spills, toilet accidents, and sterilize door knobs, toilet seats, etc.)
• Report vehicle and Center related maintenance and safety issues to Case Manager or Day Program Supervisor immediately
• Attend regular staff meetings and supervision as assigned and in-service training programs at least weekly, and complete all yearly training requirements by December of each year
• Complete all reporting and paperwork requirements such as individual support logs, daily progress notes, medication logs, etc.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED:  
Knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics or KSAOs are attributes needed to perform a job that is demonstrated through qualifying training, education, and experience. This list is not an exhaustive & all-inclusive list of all KSAOs for this job.

 
Knowledge of:  

• Office and records administration techniques and procedures
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Microsoft Office Word, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, and virtual meeting applications such as Zoom, WebEx, Google Meet
• DePaul's policies, procedures, and standard practices and the rules and guidelines established by regulatory and governing agencies such as DBHDS and DMAS
• Relevant policies, procedures, and strategies to promote the safety and protection of people, data, and property
• Methodologies and resources used to assess the needs of the listener or audience to share information or engage in ongoing communication 

  Skill/Ability to:  

• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
• Verbal and written communication and body language that conveys information, ideas, or inquiries effectively and concisely that purveys professional composure, emotional intelligence, thoughtfulness, patience, and respect amidst change, ambiguity, and within the daily trajectories of work 
• Using standard office equipment such as telephone, calculator, printer, scanner, cellular phone, tablet, computer, shredder
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Developing and maintaining professional working relationships and appropriate boundaries with individuals served, coworkers, community partners, and business associates
• Work collaboratively within a team environment and build strategic relations with community partners, co-workers, management, and business associates
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form
• Write concise, detailed, and accurate case notes
• Make arithmetical computations 
• Operate a personal computer with a general understanding of MS Office Suites, virtual meeting software, the Internet, and department or program-specific software
• Observe and evaluate service plan objectives for individuals served
• Analyze and prepare concise and accurate documents, reports, and correspondence
• Effectively market the programs and services of the department
• Train others
• Assist with the general upkeep and cleaning of office areas and agency vehicles
• Exercise sound judgment and critical thinking in decision-making and solving various work-related situations 
• Learn policies, procedures, and guidelines established by DePaul, professional organizations, governing agencies, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility
• Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing

  Other Characteristics:

• Demonstrate self-awareness, ongoing self-evaluation, and a commitment to being part of a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace where all people are valued
• Demonstrate professional composure in difficult and stressful situations 
• Demonstrate the FIRST (fairness, integrity, respect, safety, trust) values in the daily trajectories of work
• Demonstrate professionalism regarding access to sensitive and confidential information related to employees, clients, and business records with no disclosure to others without needing to know

  MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY:
A High School Diploma or GED with one year of experience in serving individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities is required.

 
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described herein represent those an employee encounters while performing the position's essential functions. The employee regularly works in an office environment and occasionally in the field. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent may be exposed to situations of a highly emotional nature; incumbents are expected to use verbal skills to resolve interpersonal situations to achieve desired results independently. Incumbents are exposed to various living situations and lifestyles. Work is generally completed regularly during weekdays; however, daily work hours will vary. Participation in an on-call rotation and completion of job duties outside of normally scheduled hours is required. Work is subject to frequent interruptions, and noise levels are varied based on the work locations.  

 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that an employee in this position must meet, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions successfully. Physical activities required are finger dexterity necessary to operate equipment used in the position, effective communication and seeing or hearing verbal cues. Walking for up to sixty-seven percent of the time, sitting up to sixty-seven percent of the time, bending/stooping for up to sixty-seven percent of the time, and lifting/pushing/pulling no more than twenty pounds are required. When accessing various locations, the incumbent must climb stairs and ramps. This position requires driving to various locations approximately fifty percent of the employee's working time. Public transportation may not be available. Individuals needing reasonable accommodations should speak with their immediate supervisor/hiring manager.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS: 
The following may be required after a conditional job offer: current DMV driving record with results that comply with insurer guidelines; drug and alcohol screening with satisfactory results stipulated by applicable governing, funding, or regulatory agencies; documentation of a PPD test, chest x-ray, or screening from a qualified medical professional indicating the absence of TB; criminal and child protective services background report. The applicant shall not have been convicted of any barrier crime(s) on the criminal background report. The applicant will have no founded disposition of child abuse or neglect as documented by the Child Protective Services background report. 

 

  NOTE:
This description provides information regarding the essential functions of the designated job and the general nature and level of work associated with the job. It should not be interpreted to describe all the duties whose performance may be required of such employees or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given.

DePaul is an Equal Opportunity Employer and E-Verify Participant.