Direct Support Professional Day Services

Direct Support Professional

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our Day and Older Adult Programs. The DSP is one of our frontline caregivers who helps our participants stay safe and healthy while assisting them with activities of daily living with respect for their dignity and individuality. Your work will involve hands-on care, a sense of humor, the ability to observe and take detailed notes, physical mobility, a positive attitude, and respect for legal compliance and confidentiality standards. As a DSP, you will receive excellent training, competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and a flexible schedule.

Basic Qualifications

Education/Training: High School Diploma or GED

Experience: Experience working with individuals experiencing Intellectual Disabilities preferred.

Basic Skills:

• Ability to read and write in English
• Moderate mathematics skills required
• Proficient interpersonal relations and communicative skills
• Auditory and visual skills
• Valid driver's license with a clear three-year driving record

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform the physical duties required
• Must have adequate mobility that requires frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching (vertical and horizontal), using fingers, hands, feet, legs and torso in providing various care
• Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds
• Occasionally must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, including transferring of client
• Satisfactory completion of post-offer pre-employment physical exam and drug test as required

Equipment/Machine Operations:

• Office equipment including computer, printer, scanner, fax machine, copier, etc.
• Time Clock System
• Credible
• Vehicles
• Mechanical lifts
• Adjustable chairs/beds, wheelchairs
• Shower equipment
• Various other equipment and supplies

Essential Duties

• Provides quality support and care to individuals served and promote their inclusion in the broader community.
• Assists individuals in advocating for themselves, utilizing their skills and interests, and exploring new work, leisure, and educational experiences.
• Enhances work and/or life skills of assigned individuals in accordance with ISP Outcomes.
• Provides individualized attention, which encourages each individual's ability to maintain or attain the highest practical physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.
• Teaches the appropriate functional skills, ADL skills, and work skills as needed.
• Teaches other instructional time and rehabilitation curriculum (e.g., hygiene, food preparation, communication, simulated work, etc.).
• Provides input on progress on goals and ISP Outcomes.
• Ensures health and safety of individuals served.
• Attends to personal needs of individuals, which may include assistance with grooming, bathing, oral hygiene, feeding, incontinent care, toileting, transferring, ambulation range of motion, communication, or other needs in keeping with the individuals' care requirements.
• Maintains the privacy and dignity of each individual in the delivery of services to them. Interacts with individuals in a manner that displays warmth and promotes a caring environment through verbal and nonverbal interactions.
• Responsible for promptly reporting and responding to incidents or evidence of individual abuse or neglect, unusual incidents based on regulations or agency policies, and violations of individuals' rights.
• Provides assistance to individuals using lifts, transfers, and safety techniques as required or needed. Demonstrates ability to use mechanical lifting devices and follow proper agency lifting procedures.
• Provides medical assistance to individuals served, such as administering medication, First Aid, CPR, and/or Heimlich maneuver as trained by the agency. Adheres to protocols set forth by the Nursing Department and performs these tasks as trained by Nursing.
• Provides quality control oversight and correction for subcontract and/or in-house work as needed.
• Assiss with shipping, receiving, and processing of subcontract and/or in-house work as needed.
• Responsible for the general up-keep of the workplace including general housekeeping, assistance with lunches, and laundry as necessary.
• Assists with all work-related transportation duties, which may include transporting individuals served on community outings. Exhibits the ability to properly handle stressful situations while operating the vehicle.
• 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.
• Communicates and interacts effectively and tactfully with the individual served, visitors, family members, peers, and supervisors.

Other Duties

• Assists immediate supervisor with tasks to support program and/or department operations as assigned; may also be assigned special projects.
• Assists in the development of community inclusive experiences and programming opportunities for individuals.
• Completes 24 hours of annual training as required by regulation.
• Attends additional training as required by the program/department.

Standard Requirements

• Completion and clearance of a criminal background check and a child abuse clearance.
• Supports the Mission and values of Indian Creek Foundation and the program.
• Is knowledgeable of resident rights and ensures an atmosphere which allows for the privacy, dignity, and well-being of all individuals served 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 plans, report and/or correct unsafe working conditions, equipment repair, and maintenance needs.
  • Confidentiality of all data, including individuals served, employee, and operations data.
  • Compliance with all regulatory requirements and agency policies as required by Human Resources, licensing, and funding agencies.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and compliance with HIPAA standards.
  • Conducts oneself in a professional manner when representing Indian Creek Foundation.
• Functions as a member of the Team:
  • Cooperates and works together with all co-workers, plans and complete job duties with minimal direct supervision and appropriate judgment.
  • Uses tactful and appropriate communications in all situations.
  • Reports and follows up regarding reported complaints, problems, and concerns with appropriate personnel.
  • Promotes positive public relations with individuals served, family members, other team members, and community.
  • Completes requirements for training, acceptable attendance, dress codes including personal hygiene and other work duties as assigned.
• Complete all documentation to ensure compliance with all regulations and agency policies.
• Exhibits behavior as set forth by the Code of Conduct in performance of their duties.
• Completes annual compliance HIPAA training and exhibits behavior as set forth by the Code of Compliance in performance of duties.

Job Location

Cowpath Road Campus and Community Participation Locations

Receipt and Acknowledgment

I acknowledge and understand that:

• Receipt of the job description does not imply nor create a promise of employment, nor an employment contract of any kind, and that my employment is at-will.
• The job description provides a general summary of the position in which I am employed, that the contents of this job description are job requirements, and at this time, I know of no limitations which would prevent me from performing these functions. I further understand that it is my responsibility to inform my supervisor at any time that I am unable to perform these functions.
• Job duties, tasks, work hours and work requirements may be changed at any time.
• Acceptable job performance includes completion of the job responsibilities as well as compliance with the policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• I have read and understand this job description.