TRC - DSP Aide

Direct Support Professional (DSP) / Aide Job Description

The Resource Center has been providing services to persons with disabilities in the Chautauqua County area since 1958. From our humble beginnings as a gathering of parents and concerned citizens who wanted to provide educational and training opportunities for persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities, The Resource Center has grown into a comprehensive agency providing services to thousands of persons with all types and levels of disabilities. The Resource Center is the largest non-governmental employer in Chautauqua County with more than 1,300 employees on its payroll. The mission of The Resource Center is to support individuals with disabilities and other challenges in achieving maximum independence, contributing to their community, experiencing lifelong growth, and enjoying quality of life.

Responsible To: Residence Manager / Residential Site Supervisor / Day Services Supervisor

Function:

To provide direct support in all activities of daily living in accordance with the person's plans, complete required documentation regarding milestones and programs, participate as an active member of a team with other program/department staff to support people, and enhance the skills and/or create the opportunity for people to achieve maximum independence, inclusion, individualization, and productivity.

The Direct Support Professional Aide must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all SCIP protocols and procedures, utilizing positive behavioral support and less restrictive means of addressing maladaptive behavior before advancing to restrictive SCIP maneuvers.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Physical condition commensurate with demands of the job, including the unrestricted ability to assist in lifting and transferring on a regular basis. Reliability, adaptability and flexibility, including willingness and ability to maintain a good attendance record and to work in a variety of sites, including day services and residential. Ability to follow written plans and complete necessary documentation. Ability to use educational training techniques for people with disabilities. Knowledge of, or ability to obtain, computer skills sufficient to utilize direct support certification programs or other software necessary to complete assigned job duties. The ability to work with others as part of a team to meet the needs of people supported, the program and the Agency. Must demonstrate knowledge of, and willingness to adhere to, all departmental and agency policies and procedures.

The employee must also demonstrate the following competencies: ability to locate all of the information that is asked for and demonstrate knowledge of basic information associated with assigned participants; successful completion of all required in-service training within required time frames, including but not limited to First Aid, CPR and SCIP-R; demonstrated knowledge of the abuse, mistreatment and neglect policy, the incident reporting process, Individual Plans of Protection (IPOP), and implementation of milestones.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school or equivalency diploma strongly preferred. A valid driver's license with acceptable driving record, as established by the agency insurance carrier preferred, but may be required depending upon assignment.

Identified Key Competencies:

Demonstrates understanding and success in core competencies as outlined by the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), which includes competency in the areas of communication, person-centered practices, evaluation and observation, crisis prevention and intervention, safety, professionalism and ethics, empowerment and advocacy, health and wellness, community living skills and supports, community inclusion and networking, cultural competency, and education, training, and self-development.

Duties:

Other Duties:

Direct Support:

1. Reviews and acknowledges peoples' plans and provides assistance and support to people in completing personal care/daily living tasks and community activities in accordance with their plans.
2. Assists people supported in the pursuit of personal interests in the community, as well as, at the site, including religious functions.
3. Supports people to attend medical appointments as scheduled, and ensures all necessary health related information is relayed to the medical provider and the site nurse as appropriate.
4. Provides care for the health needs of people supported, including calling provider office when necessary.
5. Provides crisis intervention support services to people supported as needed or assigned.
6. Encourages, guides and teaches people supported in developing daily living skills.
7. Intervenes and reports any incidents or unusual occurrences as per policy/procedure. Ensures any immediate protective action is taken.
8. Demonstrates appropriate interaction with people supported consistent with the NADSP Code of Ethics.
9. Provides behavioral support to people in accordance with the person's Behavioral Support Plan and/or Mental Health Monitoring plan, and utilizes intervention techniques as appropriate, including SCIP-R.
10. Acts as a responsible custodian for The Resource Center as the representative payee, and ensures the security of all assigned funds, including petty cash, personal fund expenditures, and peoples' personal property, and secures itemized receipts for all funds spent.
11. Uses person-centered language, adheres to professional boundaries, and promotes cooperation and teamwork, with primary focus to provide quality care to the people supported.
12. Is involved in completing and/or coordinating a variety of tasks, which contribute to effective operation of the household, including but not limited to: transportation, shopping, housekeeping, meal planning and preparation.

Other Duties:

1. Maintains compliance with state and federal regulations as well as agency and program policies and procedures.
2. Participates in quality assurance and site/agency re-certification process.
3. Performs all other related duties as needed or assigned.

Required Tools:

1. Badge Access
2. Shared Drive (Residential)
3. Training Management System (Learner access)
4. EHR (DSP Aid access)

The Resource Center is an equal employment opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship status, military status, domestic violence status, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information, physical or mental disability, any other category protected by law, or any other non-job related characteristic. As needed, The Resource Center will provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities to employees and applicants whenever such accommodation would not create an undue hardship or a safety concern in the conduct of TRC's operations.