Direct Support Professional

Job Title

Gateway Center is committed to provide support services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by continually expanding our understanding of the ever-changing needs of this community and tailoring our services to support all of our members. Gateway Center is staffed by dedicated, caring, and respectful providers who prove everyday that with a little understanding and patience every member of our community can live a full and satisfying life with dignity and respect.

We are looking for Direct Support Professionals for our residential Intermediate Care Facilities located in Pacific Grove.

(Employees working 30 hours/week or more are eligible for medical, vision and dental benefits the 1st of the month after 60 days of employment)

Job Description

The DSP's primary duty is to follow each person's individual service plan and provide active treatment. Specifically, Direct Care staff will:

• Serve as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team and provide direct input concerning Individual Service Plan. Participate in consultant evaluations and provide input.
• Promote independence in all critical life skills development through the implementation of each ISP and the philosophy of the facility. Have the ability to demonstrate knowledge of ISPs and ensure self-care and assistance with self-care is provided as needed.
• Be responsible for the health and safety of the individuals the facility supports which includes the passing of medication (after successfully completing the corresponding curriculum) and other health monitoring responsibilities as assigned by the RN.
• Provide continuous and accurate documentation of each person's progress, problems and activities on a daily basis.
• Follow menus as written and approved by the dietitian for meal preparation, while involving the people supported by the facility.
• Document house maintenance needs.
• Complete required documentation/reports during the scheduled shift.
• Attend at least three hours per month of in-service training.
• Perform assigned household cleaning duties, while involving the people supported by the facility.
• Serve as a member of the ID Team and provide direct input concerning individual ISP. Participate in consultant evaluations and provide input.
• Perform needed physical assistance to people supported in caring for self-care and toileting needs and be familiar with adaptive equipment utilized by people supported (e.g. wheelchairs, lifts, etc.)
• Treat people supported and fellow staff with respect. Be knowledgeable of individual rights posted in the facility. Report any infringement of rights, abuse, neglect, mistreatment to the Administrator immediately.
• Be a positive representative of our agency.
• Mandated Reporter
• Report to the Administrator any observation of established procedures or personnel policies.
• Other job related duties as assigned by the Administrator.

Additional Duties include:

• Reading, writing, and carrying out directions
• Charting or taking notes for others to review
• Providing companionship and supportive listening
• Reporting changes in the health or status of the client
• Taking vitals, height, and weight
• Feeding clients
• Maintaining patient's health equipment
• Responding to emergency situations
• Administering medication
• Transporting client to appointments
• Providing support with hobbies, studies, and social activities

Education

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Minimum high school diploma or GED equivalent education
• Two years experience is usually preferred

Physical Effort/Work Environment

• Physical, mental, and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position
• Mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions.
• Ability perform under stressful situations
• Ability to insure the safety and welfare of an individual with physical, medical or behavioral challenges
• Vision sufficient to read handwritten and printed materials, and the display screen of various office equipment and machines
• Hearing sufficient to communicate in person and hold telephone conversations in normal range (approximately 60 decibels)
• Physical agility to sit, stand, kneel, walk, push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, and to reach overhead
• Physical stamina sufficient to sustain light physical labor for up to 8 hours, sit and/or walk for prolonged periods of time
• Physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment for sustained periods of time on hard flooring, climb slopes, stairs, ramps, and to respond to emergency situations. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• On rare occasions may be required to lift a client, up to 200 pounds with assistance

Equal Opportunity Employer

Gateway Center of Monterey County, Inc. 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.

Requirements

• Valid CA Driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Fingerprint clearance through the Department of Justice.
• Must have thorough knowledge of developmental disabilities, quality program services, administrative and budgeting practices and applicable Federal and State Regulations.
• Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals supported, their families, the QIDP/Administrator, RN, DSP, Consultants and governmental agencies. The ability to develop positive community supports.
• Applicants must have two years experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Current CPR/First Aid.
• Complete and pass a TB test, and COVID-19 test, and health screening exam
• COVID19 fully vaccinated