Direct Support Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut, Inc.

Job Description

Position:   Direct Support Associate I

FLSA Class: Non-Exempt

Summary of Job:

The Direct Support Associate I is responsible for providing direct care, community and center support, pre-employment training and skill building, supervision of all program participants who are adults with developmental disabilities at the center. The Direct Support Associate is responsible to provide case management, advocacy, assessments and transportation services to all program participants.

Skills and Requirements: 

• An Associate’s degree in human services with one years of experience working with individuals with disabilities or high school diploma/HSE with two years’ experience working in a human service agency supporting individuals with disabilities.
• Maintains active driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Ability to drive commercial passenger vans to safely transport participants. 
• First Aid & CPR and Physical Management certifications. 
• Knowledge and understanding of Developmental Disabilities. 
• Knowledge and understanding of Abuse & Neglect.
• A passion and desire to work with and advocate for individuals with disabilities. 
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical assessments and ability to implement and follow medical/behavioral/social objectives. 
• Supervise, coach, teach and monitor adults with developmental disabilities for the attainment of goals. Use positive support strategies. Understand the importance of documentation.
• Ability to supervise three to six program participants.
• Ensure program participant’s health and safety standards.

• Communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
• Flexible to accommodate modifications to program and work schedules. 
• Maintain good attendance, be on time.
• Problem solves and work in a collaborate effort.
• Attend and maintain all required trainings and certifications.
• Use computer support systems, Office 365 software and internet-based applications.

Position Duties and Responsibilities 

• Provide direct care, personal support, training, and supervision to program participants. Assist co-workers with meeting the support needs of all program participants. 
• Transport participants to and from home, community work sites and/or recreational outings. 
• Create, develop and plan meaningful center and community activities. Actively engage program participants in those activities while in the center and out in the community
• Provide pre-employment and skill building activities at the center and in the community, directly working with participants on work skills & production issues.
• When on a community job site, ensure quality and inspection of all participants’ daily work, crisis intervention, counseling on an individual or group basis and follow all record keeping protocols.
• Monitor participant safety at center, on community outings and at community work sites. 
• Provide case management services including the collection of essential information about the program participants by assessing strengths, preferences, abilities and interests.
• Use data tracking forms, case service history forms, Therap, and communication books/logs to document daily on participant’s activities, ADL’s, behaviors, IP goals, accidents/incidents, attendance, and if applicable, job tasks, work skills and time sheets. 
• Assist the Case Coordinator in formulating new goals and objectives for participants. May attend participant meetings, make recommendations and report all updates/changes to the Case Coordinator. 
• Under the direction of the nurse consultant perform nurse delegated tasks
• Perform general housekeeping to ensure a safe and healthy environment for participants.
• Identify, report and participate in the resolution process and initiate solutions to address safety concerns. 

• Maintain the highest ethical standards in ethical standards when interacting with clients, staff, colleagues, referral sources, and the community at large.
• Review, keep current in one’s knowledge of, and comply with all relevant accreditation standards as established by Center accreditation goals and one’s professional discipline.

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Physical Demands Efforts 

This function requires moderate standing, walking, bending, squatting and sitting. Position requires climbing vehicle stairs. Safely lift, transfer and reposition participants with assistance or use of assistive equipment adaptive equipment and monitor condition of equipment. Requires lifting and moderate carrying of items up to 25 pounds.. Ability to operate normal office equipment such as, telephone, copy machine, fax, scanner, and computer.

Mental & Visual Demands

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment and Hazards

This position works in a day program area and in the community at various establishments. The area ranges from quiet to moderately noisy and disruptive at times. While transporting, drives on all road types in various weather conditions. 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Easterseals complies with all aspects of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws. This means that we will not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability in any phase of the employment relationship including application for employment, hiring, promotions and /or advancement opportunities, termination, compensation, training and any other conditions or privileges of employment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the required functions of the position.