Behavioral Aide | Direct Support Professional

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Behavioral Aid Direct Support Professional (Behavioral Aid DSP) is responsible for providing direct care, supervision, and behavioral support to individuals served with intellectual and developmental disabilities who may also exhibit challenging behaviors. This position provides daily living assistance while implementing individualized Behavior Support Plans (BSPs), promoting positive behavioral outcomes, ensuring health and safety, and helping individuals achieve the highest level of independence possible.

Non-Exempt Position

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Acts as a positive role model and communicates effectively.
• Completes assigned tasks accurately and on time.
• Accommodates shift changes to meet required individual served/staff ratios.
• Assists individuals served in making meaningful community connections to encourage inclusion and participation.
• Manages crises and responds appropriately to emergency medical situations.
• Assists individuals with activities of daily living including medication self-administration assistance, hygiene, grooming, dressing, toileting, meal preparation, nutritional oversight, housekeeping, transportation, supervision during medical appointments, and community outings.
• Implements Individual Service Plan (ISP) goals and objectives.
• Implements individualized Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) consistently and documents behavioral data accurately.
• Maintains behavior tracking logs and records all behavioral interventions according to agency policy.
• Utilizes positive behavior support techniques and least restrictive interventions approved within each individual's Behavior Support Plan.
• Recognizes behavioral triggers and implements proactive interventions to prevent behavioral escalation.
• Uses approved verbal de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention strategies during behavioral incidents.
• Assists individuals in developing coping skills, communication skills, emotional regulation, social skills, and independent living skills.
• Maintains a calm, professional demeanor during behavioral crises while ensuring the safety of individuals served, coworkers, and the public.
• Reports behavioral incidents immediately to supervisors and completes required incident reports before the end of the shift.
• Collaborates with Case Managers, Behavioral Specialists, Nursing staff, and other interdisciplinary team members regarding behavioral progress and concerns.
• Participates in behavioral team meetings, ISP meetings, and behavioral review meetings.
• Documents progress notes, ISP data, and behavioral observations completely and accurately on the day services occur.
• Meets regularly with the Case Manager regarding individual progress.
• Performs household cleaning, sanitation, environmental checks, laundry, meal preparation, grocery shopping, and general household management duties.
• Operates agency and state-owned vehicles safely while transporting individuals served to appointments, employment, recreational activities, and community events.
• Completes Daily Vehicle Inspection Reports before transporting individuals.
• Reports vehicle maintenance concerns immediately according to agency policy.
• Maintains confidentiality of all protected health information and agency records in accordance with HIPAA and agency policies.
• Maintains all required certifications and mandatory training.
• Completes all required reports accurately and on time.
• Submits required documentation to supervisors weekly or as directed.
• Attends all required staff meetings, trainings, and in-service education.
• Represents the individual served during ISP meetings, Addendum Meetings, House Meetings, and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Provides positive encouragement while assisting individuals in achieving ISP goals.
• Educates and empowers individuals served to maximize independence and self-determination.
• Maintains effective communication with assigned Case Managers to ensure continuity of care.
• Tracks, records, and documents services required by the individual's ISP, BSP, and Support Plan.
• Reconciles and documents individual spending money and grocery funds at the beginning and end of each shift.
• Ensures individuals attend HRST Clinic appointments monthly with all required documentation.
• Completes all required documentation including but not limited to:
  • Shift Communication Logs
  • Shift Change Reports
  • Temperature Logs
  • Visitor Logs
  • Medication Documentation (when applicable)
  • Behavioral Data Sheets
  • Incident Reports
  • Progress Notes
  • Vehicle Inspection Reports
• Completes ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) documentation when behavioral incidents occur.
• Assists Behavioral Specialists by collecting objective behavioral observations and data.
• Monitors individuals for changes in mood, behaviors, medical status, or mental health and reports concerns immediately.
• Maintains therapeutic boundaries while building trusting relationships with individuals served.
• Provides one-to-one behavioral support when required.
• Ensures individuals' rights, dignity, privacy, and personal choices are respected.
• Models appropriate conflict resolution and positive social interactions.
• Demonstrates flexibility to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and emergency coverage as assigned.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Ability to understand and implement Individual Service Plans (ISP) and Behavior Support Plans (BSP).
• Knowledge of Positive Behavior Support principles.
• Ability to safely de-escalate behavioral crises using agency-approved intervention techniques.
• Ability to collect accurate behavioral data.
• Ability to complete objective documentation.
• Ability to remain calm under stressful situations.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to walk, stand, bend, stoop, climb, push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds using proper lifting techniques.
• Ability to pass criminal background, drug screening, DMV, and all required agency screenings.
• Ability to demonstrate competency in all required training.
• Ability to maintain CPR, First Aid, Medication Administration, Mindset/Safety Care (or agency-approved behavioral intervention certification), and all required certifications.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities preferred.
• Experience supporting individuals with behavioral challenges strongly preferred.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid Georgia Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
• Reliable transportation.
• Ability and willingness to transport individuals served.
• Successful completion of all required behavioral intervention training.
• Ability to operate computers, calculators, fax machines, Hoyer lifts, household appliances, and agency technology systems.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

The Behavioral Aid DSP must demonstrate compassion, patience, professionalism, and sound judgment while working with individuals experiencing behavioral challenges. The employee must possess excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills and understand trauma-informed care, person-centered supports, and positive behavior support practices. Knowledge of client's Mission, Vision, Values, accreditation standards, and agency policies is required.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions vary daily depending upon individual needs, behavioral support requirements, transportation schedules, medical appointments, and staffing ratios. Employees must be willing to work flexible schedules including weekends, holidays, evenings, overnight shifts, emergency coverage, and rotating assignments.

Southern Point Staffing is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.