Enhanced Behavior Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Enhanced Behavior Direct Support Professional

SAILS Washington is dedicated to providing quality community-based support services for people of all ages and needs. SAILS Washington is an innovative leader in delivering person-centered home and community-based services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our mission is to provide world class person-centered services, support and advocacy for individuals in positive and life-enriching environments.

SAILS Washington takes a zero tolerance stance on abuse and neglect. Any allegations will be reported to the proper authorities. We are committed to the health and safety of the individuals we support. Our employees share a passion for making a positive impact in the lives of others. We are looking for individuals who share our mission, vision, and core values.

All applicants are subject to a background check. Once a conditional offer is made and a background check has been completed, if SAILS Washington is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, we reserve the right to withdraw the offer of employment.

Benefits we provide: medical, vision and dental insurance; voluntary short-term and long-term disability; employee assistance program (EAP); company paid basic life insurance & add plus voluntary life insurance; accrued paid time off; unlimited peer referral program; on-demand pay; working advantage employee discount program; health savings account (HSA); flexible savings account (FSA); 401(k); Capella University discount.

Summary: The enhanced behavior direct support professional (DSP) responsibilities include helping clients understand their behaviors, teaching clients how to change their responses to unfavorable situations and assisting clients in developing healthier coping mechanisms. You should also be able to create personalized exercises and homework assignments to help clients adjust their thought patterns. To be successful as an enhanced behavior DSP here at SAILS, you should demonstrate compassion, patience, and understanding when treating clients. You will need to believe and advocate for diversity, equity, justice and inclusion for and for our clients. Ultimately, an outstanding behavior DSP should be able to effectively communicate with clients to establish trust and accurately assess progress.

Essential duties and responsibilities: providing support to program participants that meets their needs, providing opportunities for community integration, including swimming, and creating a nurturing, safe, and healthful living environment; implementing, following, and providing documentation for complex positive behavior support plans (PBSP); providing de-escalation techniques to support individuals through crisis situations and high behavior meltdowns; applying positive behavior support principles to all manners of habilitative work to promote the client's quality of life; must be familiar with the residential service guidelines issued by the developmental disabilities administration; providing each participant with an array of instruction and support services, as described in the participants' individual instruction and support plan (IISP); ensuring that the daily needs of the participants are met, including personal hygiene, food preparation, house cleaning, shopping, and monitoring of health needs, including supervision of medication; assisting participants with regularly accessing the community to take part in a variety of outings of the participants' choosing. This may require transporting participants or arranging for transportation; ensuring that participants are always treated with dignity and consideration. Promotes and safeguards each participant's ability to make decisions and to freely exercise his or her rights; interacting with participants provide informal counseling and problem-solves with participants; attending staff meetings as required by the house manager or the program managers and/or director; attending training offered/required by the agency, DDA, and other parties; take part in the development and implementation of the IISP for each participant with whom they work; will become nurse assistant registered (NAR) at employee's own expense initially and annually; must enroll and complete nurse delegation study course and take the test within 30 days of employment; monitors medication regimes and treatment compliance; participates in ongoing program development and assessment; ensures the coordination of support meetings and cross-systems crisis plan development for enrolled clients with this need; assists clients to remain stable in the community, thereby reducing the use of hospitals or involuntary treatment services; provides necessary support and supervision of participants; maintains professional working relationships with other services providers, the participants' parents/relatives/guardians and other agency staff. Responsible for the timely completion of all documentation, including, but not limited to, the medication log, shift notes, progress notes, data sheets, incident reports, and client financial records; must have a valid driver's license and car and must be willing to transport clients in their own vehicle; other duties as assigned by the residential management team.

Required education and experience: preferred bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or a counseling-related field, with a strong emphasis on working with families and community agencies required. A minimum of two years of clinical experience as a clinician or case manager or residential provider and ability to demonstrate skills in clinical assessment and treatment plans, preferred. Training or work experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnosis. Training or work experience interacting with individuals with limited verbal or non-verbal communication. Training or work experience supporting individuals who exhibit behavior that can endanger themselves or others.

Licensing requirements: must pass a Washington state background check; RBT or alternative behavior support credential or willingness to go through course; must be able to obtain an NAR within 90 days of hire; first aid/CPR certified (within 120 days of employment, training can be provided); blood borne pathogen (within 120 days of employment, training can be provided); need to obtain CPI blue card.

Ongoing eligibility qualifications: complete and pass the background check screening upon hire and every two years thereafter, or as requested; maintain active NAR, CPR/first aid, nurse delegation and other required certifications; complete a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education annually.