Direct Support Professional Substitute

Anixter Center Direct Support Professional

Anixter Center has proudly served hundreds of thousands of people in the Chicago area since 1919. Our focus is on servicing clients with disabilities through a variety of programs while helping to support each person to live as independently as possible, as a member of their community.

Provide direct support to clients in either residential setting or day programming to enhance quality of life, promote independence, and foster community access. Working hours are dependent upon program needs. Position may have rotating shifts that include weekdays, weekends, and overnights.

Essential duties include:

• Engage and assist clients with completing all daily living activities, including personal, medical, community, hygiene, financial, recreation and general safety.
• Administer medications and document all related activities in accordance with related Medication Policies and Procedures.
• Complete and/or assist all housekeeping tasks including cleaning bathrooms, kitchen, and client rooms; washing dishes/ doing laundry; dusting surfaces; cleaning refrigerator/stove, and all other duties assigned by manager(s) and director.
• Report and document issues with clients regarding overall health, medication, dental and mental health concerns to manager(s) and/or the agency nurse.
• Implements dynamic, person-centered client programming across multiple domains, including but not limited to independent living skills, social/emotional development, communication, problem-solving, vocational development, and safety.
• Assists in planning and directly implementing ongoing community-based activities for all clients, in accordance with individual client goals and preferences.
• Ensures timely completion of all client paperwork.
• Ensures adherence to all mandated reporter, OIG guidelines, and DHS guidelines.
• Implements positive and proactive behavior management techniques and interventions as identified in clients' behavior intervention plans.
• Collaborates with co-workers (shift-to-shift) and/or manager(s) regarding clients' needs and concerns daily.
• Maintains a neat, orderly, and safe work environment.
• Participates in all required on- and off-site training upon hire and as routinely required.
• Maintains professional communication with co-workers and manager(s) as well as clients' parents/guardians, employers, staff, and other stakeholders, as needed.
• Maintain agency mandated crisis intervention and other related trainings deemed mandatory or relevant by Anixter Center.
• Provide transportation in agency vehicle and attend client health care appointments, if necessary.
• Be flexible and able to change tasks if needed, including working as day program staff, 1:1 staff, or house staff.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated proficiency in reading, writing, and comprehending English including the ability to pass a literacy test.
• Ability to multi-task in a high stress environment.
• Ability to interact with diverse personalities, including, but not limited to, clients, parents/guardians, staff, employers, funding representatives, etc.
• Ability to participate in and meet all Department of Human Services and related training requirements.
• Ability to perform all functions necessary to obtain agency required crisis intervention certification.
• Ability to promote and adhere to agency values.
• A commitment to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.

Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associates or Bachelor's degree in related field preferred.
• DSP certified preferred; must be able to obtain DSP certification within six months of employment (provided by agency).
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification; must be able to obtain certification within six months of employment (provided by agency). Certificates must be for adults, and it must be through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.

Experience Required:

• Minimum of 1 years' experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Must meet all requirements to drive agency vehicles.
• Capable of navigating the use of public transportation system (CTA/RTA/Metra).

Come Join Us! Anixter is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer As such affirms the right of every person to participate in all aspects of employment without regard to gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, and citizenship, military or protected veteran status, gender expression and/or identity, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.