Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professional

Days: Monday through Friday, Hours: 7:30 am to 2:30 pm

Direct Support Professionals (DSP) provide people with developmental disabilities the support needed to reach desired outcomes by implementing the guidelines of the individual plans. Supports to have a quality way of life such as taking a positive approach when supporting the client with hand and eye coordination, self-help skills, toileting skills, safety skills, behavioral modification, cooking meals, community integration, or preparation for a job in a family-oriented environment, that promotes positivity, teamwork, and compassion to deliver great service. Reports to Floor Supervisor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, monitor, evaluate, and report all needs for assigned clients. Maintain a working knowledge of the client's profile and desired outcomes.
• Exercise and teach disaster protocols such as life, safety, and fire protection (including Evacuation Plan) procedures; accident/incident reporting; OSHA regulations; care of the elderly and cognitively impaired clients.
• Assist individuals in evacuating buildings during emergency situations, including but not limited to fire drills and external disaster drills. Specific duties to be assigned by immediate supervisor.
• Maintain compliance with the company policies and procedures.
• Provide direct supervision in the facility and community.
• Provide skills training for clients with a positive and creative approach. Skills training could include but is not limited to interaction skills, social skills, grooming, and community safety skills, planning skills, volunteering, daily living, socialization, community involvement, and community resource skills.
• Support clients with personal needs as required, medication management, toileting, personal hygiene care.
• Supervise the clients on and off-site.
• Assist with organization, and setting up the day program environment, preparing needed materials and supplies.
• Participate and support clients in wheelchairs in social outings both in the facility and in the community.
• Act as a role model of appropriate behaviors for clients in various community settings.
• Arrange for transportation to and from community outings with floor supervisor.
• Schedule community activities/sites for clients as needed per the client's plan.
• Support clients with developing goals, assessing their individual needs, and working toward their desired outcomes.
• Monitor and document the client's progression toward outcomes and goal achievement.
• Maintain active communication with all internal team members and with all of the client's support team.
• Provide adaptations to individualized activities and group programming as necessary to teach goal skills. Attend all team meetings, providing feedback and solutions as applicable to quality program development.
• Complete all documentation as required (i.e., Incident reports, case notes, quarterly reports, assessments, communication logs, etc.). Reporting information to a supervisor in a timely manner.
• Maintain confidentiality of client's information, participate in all job-related training offered.
• Attend all training regularly to ensure that all mandatory and personal training and development needs are met in line with company requirements.
• Perform related duties assigned as assigned by supervisor.

Education and Work Experience Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A minimum of six months experience in related field or related life experience providing direct care to individuals with physical and/or developmental disabilities and behaviors.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification, and ability to successfully pass Non-violent crises intervention course and maintain certifications.
• Excellent organization, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Compassionate about the care and well-being of others.
• Ability to pass a background check and drug test.
• A positive attitude, great personality, and patience are a must.
• Demonstrate respect and dignity to clients, co-workers, and visitors.
• Exceptional team player and maintains morale within the company.
• Access to reliable transportation for regular attendance.

Physical Requirements

• Light work involves exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, and otherwise move objects. Involves bending, squatting, reaching, and moving about most of the time.
• Heavy work involves exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, and otherwise move objects. Involves bending, squatting, reaching, and moving about most of the time.