Direct Support Professionals

Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professionals supervise, support, guide, and provide training to individuals with developmental disabilities in home and community settings. The Direct Support Professional assists residents to achieve greater independence, physical and emotional well-being, and spiritual growth.

Essential functions/major responsibilities:

• Develop resident's basic living skills (e.g., social, domestic, and hygiene) through instruction and positive reinforcement.
• Assist and document the development and implementation of long and short-term goals for the residents.
• Develop and maintain a positive and effective relationship with residents, families, staff, administration, waiver support coordinators, and other service providers and assist in coordinating with any of their needs concerning residents.
• Perform or assist residents with personal hygiene as needed (e.g., bathing, brushing teeth, shaving, nail clipping, dressing, bodily functions, and resident appearance). Personal care services that are assigned by a health professional may include observation, reporting and documentation of changes in status or in bodily functions.
• Perform or assist residents in domestic duties as needed (e.g., cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping).
• Coordinate and maintain resident's schedule (e.g., doctor appointments, professional team appointments and employment).
• Coordinate resident participation in leisure, recreational, volunteer and faith activities.
• Maintain records and complete documentation as required by Magnify of Central Florida, the Diocese of Orlando, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Agency for Health Care Administration, and other applicable State or Federal government monitoring agencies (e.g., timesheets, mileage, petty cash, medication logs, visitor logs, Incident Reports, progress and service notes and implementation plan data).
• Adhere to resident behavior and health management plans (e.g., assistance with self-administration of medication, use of behavior modification techniques, dietary restrictions).
• Maintain a safe environment for the resident; prevent harm to resident, self, and others. Report any safety concerns to management in a timely manner.
• Maintains cleanliness and sanitation of all common areas on campus by completing cleaning including (but not limited to): Sweeps, dust, vacuums, dry/wet mops, scrubs, strips, buffs, washes, rinses and dries all the various surface areas as assigned in a safe and efficient manner. Safely use cleaning products and materials according to the MSDS.
• Transport residents to and from work, and scheduled appointments and recreational activities in a safe and timely manner.
• Serve as a good role model to the residents.
• Maintain current certification as required by Magnify of Central Florida (e.g., CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, certification for assistance with self-administration of medication, and all other required by Magnify of Central Florida policies and procedures).
• Conduct all essential functions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job scope:

Position encounters varied work situations with limited but periodic complexity, operating from established procedures. Operates with supervision and direct management support. Position maintains files containing sensitive and confidential documents. Position provides direct care to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Specific job skills:

• Hold and maintain a valid Florida driver's license
• Office and productivity software
• Time management and prioritization
• Ability to follow directions communicated synchronously (in person or over digital communications) and asynchrony (posted notices, emails, etc.)
• Ability to communicate both in person and digitally or in writing.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and adapt to feedback
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to apply them adaptively to challenges.
• Entrepreneurial and agile spirit
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is a plus

Catholic faith:

• Requires an appreciation and respect for the Catholic Church and its teachings. Church employees must conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with and supportive of the mission and purpose of the Church. Their public behavior must not violate the faith, morals or laws of the Church or the policies of the diocese.

Education and/or experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• 1+ year working in a medical, psychiatric, nursing, or childcare setting or in working with persons who have a developmental or intellectual disability.
• College, vocational, or technical training equal to 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or 720 classroom hours can substitute for the required experience.
• 1+ Years of related experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities preferred.

Physical demands:

Lifting and moving (e.g. residents from wheelchair to vehicle or bed), pulling (e.g., van doors, wheelchairs into elevators), pushing (e.g., wheelchairs), flexing (e.g., reaching), bending, crouching, hearing, kneeling, sitting, standing, reaching, stooping, walking and talking. The employee is required to lift up to 50 pounds and climb ladders (changing a light bulb, etc.).

Working environment:

Work is performed mainly in a residential and assisted living setting.