DSP OPWDD - Housing Services

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Enjoy making a difference? Join the team at Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), enriching the lives of others, one individual at a time. FREE benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.

Position Summary

The primary role of the Direct Support Professional (DSP) is to work alongside the people we support in order to help them to achieve their Personal Outcomes. This includes working with them to develop daily living, professional and informed decision-making skills while also supporting their overall health and safety. This role requires the ability to speak, read, and write in English at a level sufficient to successfully complete required training, understand and follow support plans, communicate with care teams and providers, accurately document services and patient information, and to comply with health and safety standards.

Duties, Responsibilities, and Essential Functions

• Works with the people we support to help them identify and realize their personal life goals.
• Advocates with the people we support in a variety of situations.
• Works with the people we support to teach them new life skills.
• Works in partnership with the people we support to promote their health and safety.
• Assists the people we support to overcome barriers and challenges to establishing and maintaining a network of relationships and valued social roles.
• Works with the people we support and other members of the interdisciplinary team to develop service plans that aid the person in achieving their personal life goals.
• Provides positive behavior support to the people we support as necessary.
• Prevents, recognizes and reports abuse toward the people we support.
• Accurately documents service provision, daily notes and other information as required.
• Promotes and supports community involvement for the people we support.
• Transports clients to locations outside the home, such as to physicians' offices or on outings, using a motor vehicle.
• Performs other healthcare-related tasks as needed.
• Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed/processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Administers bedside or personal care as needed (OPWDD Only).
• Assists with personal care and hygiene as needed.
• Cares for individuals during periods of incapacitation, family disruption, or convalescence, providing companionship, personal care, or help in adjusting to new lifestyles.
• Performs housekeeping duties, such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes or dishes, or running errands.
• Plans, shops for, or prepares nutritious meals or assists individuals in planning, shopping for, or preparing nutritious meals.

Responsibilities of All FREE Employees

• Always communicate in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.
• Complies fully with FREE's confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.
• Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk.
• Meets all job requirements for participating in or delivering training.
• Adheres to FREE's standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent is required

• Experience: Experience performing related job duties preferred

• Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications: Not required, training will be provided upon hire as needed

• Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities: Functional proficiency in spoken and written English, proficient computer skills preferred, proficient writing skills with grasp of basic grammar and spelling, demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keeping others informed and anticipating needs is essential, must be efficient, well organized, and have excellent communication skills

• Other Requirements: 18 years of age or older, valid driver's license and satisfy criteria to be a driver for the agency required

Work Environment

This role is performed in-person, travel in an agency vehicle is required from agency drivers.

Physical Requirements

• Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours)

• Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing

• Employee is required to reach with hands and arms

• Employee is required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or stand on a stool as needed

Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE.

Equal Opportunity Employer

FREE is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected characteristic. In addition to federal law requirements, FREE complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in all of its locations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.