DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL-HOURLY

Direct Support Professional

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a member of the clinical team that provides compassionate care and assistance to individuals who struggle with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral health challenges and require assistance to achieve their fullest potential. The DSP provides the assistance necessary to allow the clients we serve to live independently and ensure their wellness, health, and safety. The DSP, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, provides a wide range of services to meet the environmental, physical, psychosocial, and personal needs of the individuals in our care. The DSP embraces the mission of organization by fostering a culture of compassion, hope, service, and collaboration.

Responsibilities of the Job and Essential Elements:

• Assists with daily living activities, including but not limited to planning and preparing meals, housekeeping, and assisting with personal hygiene, cleaning.
• Supports the independence of individuals served by providing the assistance necessary to maximize their quality of life.
• Models hope and optimism when encouraging individuals served to achieve their potential.
• Supports persons served in developing relationships and becoming involved in their communities.
• Cultivates a safe and supportive relationship and environment.
• Provides supervision and guidance to individuals served to build skills and competence.
• Documents interactions and activities per policies and procedures.
• Monitors and responds to crisis situations or potential crisis situations consistent with best practice, policies, and procedures.
• Utilizes skills and competencies to respond to crises.
• Reports suspected incidents of neglect, abuse or mistreatment consistent with the organizations policies and procedures.
• Maintains client confidentiality and adheres to the organization's ethical code.
• Assists in maintaining the well-being and safety of individuals served.
• May assist individuals served with daily medication administration.
• Perform the delivery of services with this organization and our consumers to include; consumer transportation including, but not limited to, medical appointments, community activities, school/day programming, religious services, and family visit.
• Perform all daily activities within any home setting including, but not limited to, meal preparation, activities of daily living, shopping, household cleaning and maintenance, leisure activities, and consumer outcomes.
• Assist with community home licensing annually and home activities as prescribed in operating regulations.
• ISP development and outcomes.
• Accurate completion of required paperwork to include but not limited to medication logs, daily logs, goal logs, incident reports, sleep / awake charts, weight charts, BM charts, fire drill logs, seizure logs, behavior plan documentation, gas receipts, vehicle logs, consumer funds.
• Accurate completion of hours worked through HRIS system to clock in/out.
• Completion of required training hours on an annual basis according to the Training year.
• Completion of Competency Based Training as needed.
• Attend all scheduled home and office staff meetings.
• Assist with on-call activities and emergency situations as requested by the Residential Manager.
• Responsible for the safety and well-being of all the individuals residing in the home(s).
• Administer consumer medications.
• Work with Lead DSP and Residential Manager to ensure that all the needs of the individuals are met according to their ISP.
• Follow all supervision requirements of consumers as noted in consumer ISP/BSP.
• Assist the Residential Manager with special projects related to the Agency.
• Flexibility to work various shifts if needed.
• Provide care that's trauma informed.
• Other duties/tasks as assigned or requested by supervisor or Lead DSP.

Other duties and responsibilities:

• Successful completion of assigned pre-service and in-service training
• Drive and accompany consumers to appointments, recreation/leisure activities, or other destinations as assigned, with strict adherence to motor vehicle laws
• Carry out prescribed health care programs including the administration of medication
• Implement behavioral programs in accordance with individualized behavior plans
• Teach skills to individuals in accordance with the methods and using the materials outlined in their Individual Habilitation Plan (IHP)
• Complete logs, charts, medication sheets, incident reports, seizure records, and other assigned paperwork
• Interact with program individuals in an age-appropriate, respectful, and safe manner
• Meet individuals' personal needs in a manner that ensures privacy and dignity
• Maintain confidentiality of individuals' information and records
• Fully cooperate with agency staff in any program inspection or investigation
• Assist with the maintenance of individual and program files, monitoring of progress of Individual Habilitation Plan goals and objectives, monthly reports, and similar duties
• Assist the Residential Manager with assessment of an individual's abilities and training needs.
• Comply with applicable agency and Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) policies and procedures, and DDD licensing requirements
• Cooperate with the licensee and Department of Human Services staff in any inspection, inquiry, or investigation.

Minimum Education and Experience Qualification Requirements:

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent certificate (required)
• Associate or bachelor's degree (preferred)
• Minimum 6 months to one (1) year direct experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities or human services field (preferred)
• Clean motor vehicle record and valid driver's license
• Must be at minimum 21 years of age

Required Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Computer literacy, experience with Microsoft Office, email, time-recording and other applications
• Knowledge of trauma, trauma-informed care, and the creation of trauma-informed environments
• Knowledge of and ability to work with developmentally disabled individuals
• Excellent documentation and financial/mathematical skills
• Strong documentation skills
• Proficiency in reading, writing, and documenting in English required.
• Excellent judgment, problem solving, organizational, and time management skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with individuals with disabilities, families, co-workers, staff, supervisors, funding sources, and other social service agency personnel;
• Physical ability to fulfill job duties and requirements
• The ability to supervise and/or assist individuals served of the Residential program
• The ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Physical ability to fulfill job duties and requirements
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with individuals with disabilities, families, co-workers, staff, supervisors, funding sources, and other social service agency personnel.
• Excellent judgment, problem solving, organizational and time management skills
• Schedule flexibility

Network Functions:

• Maintain and abides by OSHA requirements and guidelines
• Observes all Fire and Safety Policies and Procedures
• Observes all Personnel Policies and Procedures
• Observes all Agency's Policies and Procedures
• Observes all HIPAA Policies and Procedures and maintains confidentiality
• Completes and returns all paperwork distributed by the Human Resource Department
• Attends all required and scheduled trainings and meetings
• Always maintain a professional demeanor and exercise good professional judgment in all areas of employment duties
• Documents time worked accurately.

Equipment/Machines:

• Vehicle Requirements
• Current driver's license, vehicle registration and vehicle insurance
• Vehicle / wheelchair lifts
• Adaptive Equipment
• Business use of company equipment to include: telephone, cellular telephone, and home appliances and furnishings

Physical Demands:

• Individual must be able to meet physical requirements of the job

Accident, Health Hazard and Security Knowledge:

• Blood borne Pathogens, Right- To- Know, HIPAA, Security Acts, Fire & Safety

Working Conditions: