Direct Support Professional

Direct Support ProfessionalCaruth Bldg - Lecanto, FL 34461OverviewJob Shift Any Education Level High School/GED Category Nonprofit - Social ServicesCaregiverSUMMARY Assumes responsibility for assisting developmentally delayed residents in life relationships, activities, care and development mental training while they are living in a special residential care setting.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.Completes documentation on and maintains records as required or directed (To include, but not limited to the following: community inclusion, formal and informal programs, medication information, transportation logs, daily logs, drills, etc.).Provides for physical care and supervision of residents appropriate to their functioning level.Administers, supervises and records medication of medical treatment to be given per physicians orders. Follows mandated guidelines for storage, dispensing and recording.Promptly and properly attends to residents during seizures and assists in dealing with problematic behavior issues.Provides for the immediate bathing of any resident who voids or soils himself and ensures that the resident has a proper change of clothing.Assists in providing opportunities for residents to be involved in integrated community activities. Coordinates and assist, as necessary, with attendance at religious services.Provides or assists in transportation for residents to and from place of employment, recreational and other events.Encourages positive social interactions and interpersonal relationships. Assists each resident in developing attitudes and behaviors appropriate to community living.Assists clients in handling money.Assists residents in making and keeping appointments when indicated.Takes residents shopping periodically and is accountable for same.Provides for and insures each residents right to privacy and advises residents of their rights.Protects each residents rights and freedoms and maintains the confidentiality of personal information.Avoids the exploitation of any resident.Monitors clients and participates in routine household maintenance.Assists the clients as necessary in preparation of meals.Assists the Lead DSP by ensuring that residents participate appropriately in chores and that they have a suitable schedule.Participate in monthly fire and evacuation drills and all tornado and disaster drills with proper documentation of same.Assist the Lead DSP in maintaining a safe and hazard free environment (i.e. safe storage of and usage of all cleaning agents or chemicals and use of instructions in Material Safety Data Sheets) and provides first aid as necessary.Reports immediately any reddened, bruised or broken skin areas on resident by filling out an unusual incident report. Also, reports all incidents or accidents regarding resident's condition to the in-charge person.Follows all formal and informal behavioral management or skill acquisition programs and where required documents necessary records.Supervises and assists residents with training programs in health, hygiene, and good grooming practices (i.e. bathing, oral hygiene, dressing, hair care, nail care and shaving).Adheres to established infection control practices by using universal precautions to ensure health and safety of residents and staff. Reports all irregularities and unsafe/hazardous conditions or equipment to charge person.Assures all residents are in bed and all outside doors are locked and outside lights are on.Completes all laundry to include towels/linens and residents personal clothing.Repairs and labels resident clothing as needed.Cleans office area and common areas per established schedule. (Cleans, sweeps and mops floors through applicable areas, dust and clean furniture, windows and blinds)Assists in residents personal inventory.Attends in-service training as scheduled.Performs other related or essential duties as requested or required.QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High school graduate or equivalent certification required. One year experience working with adults with developmental disabilities required.CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Valid Florida drivers license with a safe driver rating.OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Ability to deal courteously, tactfully and efficiently with resident families, staff members and the general public. Emotional stability and maturity with a genuine interest in working with residents. Capable of working a flexible schedule when necessary. Basic first aid training. CPR training/certification. Knowledge of life-safety and infection control protocols. Willingness to comply with in-service training or other mandates. T.A.C.T. and/or B.A.T. Certification and/or training (at the discretion of the Residential Services Supervisor). Ability to follow directions, handle emergency situations and act in accordance with good judgement.PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually quietOCCUPATIONAL RISKS: This position involves exposure to blood, body fluids or tissue. Protective measures are required. Hepatitis B Vaccine is highly recommended. There is a potential for injury in this position if proper safety procedures and protocols are not followed or if violations are not promptly reportedCONSEQUENCES OF ERRORS: Errors in judgement and decisions can result in negative outcomes for residents, employees, families and the facility. Deviation from established professional practices/standards could result in serious consequences for the organization. Deviation from fire and life-safety codes could result in serious consequences for residents, employees, families and the organization.ACCOMMODATIONS/EXCEPTIONS: The accommodations/exceptions are a record of any modifying elements (accommodations) approved for this job in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or exceptions made for PT or Substitute Employees. NONE signifies that no accommodations or exceptions were made for this position/employee at the time the position was analyzed and written.