Direct Support Specialist Lebanon Area

The Direct Support Specialist (DSS) provides individualized, person-centered support to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who have complex or high-support needs. The Direct Support Specialist performs the core responsibilities of a Direct Support Professional (DSP) but is assigned to clients whose support needs require additional client-specific training, demonstrated competency, increased preparation, and consistent adherence to specialized support protocols. Details will be listed in the following sections. Because of the additional training and competency requirements associated with these assignments, Direct Support Specialists receive an enhanced rate of pay. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities The Direct Support Specialist is responsible for:

• Providing direct support in accordance with the client's Individual Support Plan (ISP), Implementation Plan, Risk Mitigation Plan, behavior support documents, protocols, and other applicable care instructions.
• Assisting clients with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), as authorized by the client's service plan.
• Supporting clients with community participation, independence, communication, skill development, and achievement of individual goals.
• Providing appropriate supervision, monitoring, prompting, redirection, and assistance based on the client's identified needs.
• Following all client-specific health, safety, behavioral, and emergency protocols.
• Recognizing changes in the client's condition, behavior, or support needs and promptly reporting concerns according to agency procedures.
• Responding appropriately to behavioral or safety concerns using approved strategies and training.
• Maintaining professional boundaries and respecting client rights, dignity, privacy, choice, and independence.
• Completing accurate, timely, and detailed shift documentation that reflects the services and supports provided.
• Completing incident reports and other required documentation within established timelines.
• Communicating professionally with clients, guardians, families, agency leadership, case management teams, and other authorized members of the client's support team.
• Following all agency policies, state requirements, mandatory reporting requirements, and applicable confidentiality standards.

Enhanced Training and Competency Requirements In addition to standard DSP training requirements, Direct Support Specialists must successfully complete all additional training identified for their assigned client. Depending on the client's needs, this may include:

• Client-specific behavioral support training.
• Oregon Intervention System (OIS) or other approved behavioral/safety training when required.
• Enhanced training regarding the client's identified risks and mitigation protocols.
• Specialized communication or de-escalation strategies.
• Client-specific emergency response procedures.
• Additional health and safety training related to the client's support needs.
• Training regarding specialized equipment or support procedures when applicable and authorized.
• Other client-specific training determined necessary by the agency or the client's support team.

Employees must demonstrate competency and an understanding of applicable protocols before independently providing specialized supports when required. Increased Expectations of the Position Due to the complexity of the clients served, Direct Support Specialists are expected to demonstrate a higher level of consistency, reliability, situational awareness, documentation, and adherence to established support protocols. Direct Support Specialists must be able to:

• Remain calm and professional during challenging or high-stress situations.
• Consistently implement specialized support strategies as trained.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to potential health, behavioral, or safety concerns.
• Follow detailed client-specific instructions without independently modifying established protocols.
• Maintain thorough and objective documentation.
• Participate in additional training, coaching, meetings, or competency reviews related to the assigned client.
• Maintain all certifications and training required for the specialized assignment.
• Clock in and out in real time for all 2:1 staffing shifts. When a shift change occurs, each Direct Support Specialist must clock in or out at the actual time the change occurs to ensure staffing coverage and service times are accurately documented. Clock-in and clock-out times must accurately reflect the hours the employee was physically present and actively providing authorized support.
• Complete a corresponding shift note for every shift worked. Each shift note must accurately reflect the services, supports, activities, behaviors, progress, and other relevant events that occurred during that specific shift. Shift notes must be unique in nature and reflect the actual support provided during that shift. Notes may not be copied, duplicated, or reused from another shift or date.
• Ensure that documentation accurately corresponds with the date, time, and services recorded for the associated shift.

Minimum Qualifications

• Meet all agency and state requirements for employment as a Direct SupportProfessional.
• Successfully complete required background checks and pre-service training.
• Maintain required CPR/First Aid and other applicable certifications.
• Be able to understand and consistently follow written support plans, protocols, and agency policies.
• Demonstrate effective communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Be capable of performing the physical and essential functions of the assigned position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Successfully complete all additional training and competency requirements associated with the specialized assignment.

Previous experience supporting individuals with complex behavioral, medical, communication, or safety needs is preferred but may not be required when the employee can successfully complete the required training. Compensation and Specialized Assignment The pay structure is as follows:

• New Hire $26/Hr
• At 30-Days of employment $27/Hr
• At 60-Days of employment $28/Hr
• At 90-Days of employment $30/Hr

This compensation reflects the additional training, competency requirements, and specialized responsibilities associated with supporting high-needs clients. The Direct Support Specialist designation and associated enhanced compensation are based on assignment to clients whose support needs require additional training, preparation, and competency beyond the agency's standard DSP assignment. The designation does not create supervisory authority over other DSPs unless separately assigned by the agency. Eligibility for the Direct Support Specialist designation and enhanced rate of pay may be reviewed if the employee's client assignment changes, the client's level of support changes, or the specialized training and competency requirements are no longer applicable. Training and Ongoing Compliance Direct Support Specialists are required to remain current on all standard DSP training requirements as well as any additional training required for their specialized assignment. Failure to maintain required training, demonstrate competency, follow client-specific protocols, meet timekeeping requirements, or meet documentation and performance expectations may result in removal from the specialized assignment and/or Direct Support Specialist designation. Professional Expectations Direct Support Specialists are expected to represent the agency professionally and provide services consistent with person-centered practices. Employees must promote client choice, independence, dignity, safety, and community participation while providing only those supports they are trained and authorized to perform. The Direct Support Specialist remains responsible for following the client's approved plans and protocols and should immediately contact agency leadership when clarifying additional training, or support is needed.