Direct Support Professional

The Direct Support Professional reports to the Residential House Manager (or the Assistant Residential House Manager in the absence of the Residential House Manager) and is responsible for the daily care, supervision and safety of developmentally disabled individuals in both the residential and community settings. Ensuring overnight awake coverage is alert and responsive to needs of individuals. Direct Support Professional will follow through on assignments set by the Residential House Manager and will be responsible for the day to day implementation of the Individual Support Plans and Behavioral Management Plans. This position will be compensated on an hourly basis.

Schedule : Weds 1p-10p, Thurs 2p-10p, Fri 2p-11p, Sat 9a-11p

Full-Time: 40 Hours

PAY RATE: $17.50-$19.00 per hour. Paid training by Venture!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor individuals for health and safety.
• Safely evacuate individuals from residence in the event of fire or disaster.
• Physically assist individuals, as needed, in transfer and carries, both ambulatory and non-ambulatory.
• Physically escort/restrain individuals during emergency situations or behavioral episodes
• Physically assist individual, as needed, in bathing and personal hygiene tasks which may include lifts and support to individuals with body weights of 150 - 250 pounds.
• Educate, supervise and monitor individual self-medication programs.
• Educate and train individuals in goals and objectives specified in ISP and behavior plan.
• Assist with medical appointments scheduling/transportation.
• Educate and assist individuals with meal preparation and food shopping.
• Educate and assist with individual finances, banking, receipts, purchasing and maintain records.
• Educate, transport, accompany and provide supervision to individuals in/to their place of worship.
• Maintain records and document daily data.
• Responsible for daily housekeeping and cleaning of residence to include laundry, dishes, mopping, sweeping, snow shoveling, report repair and maintenance needs.
• Overnight Awake staff will assume primary responsibility for cleaning common areas and bathrooms.
• Overnight Asleep staff will be available for direct care duties for the morning routine.
• If Overnight Asleep staff are required for assistance during the overnight hours they will be paid the Direct Care rate if they have not had (5) uninterrupted hours available for sleep.
• Writing, evaluating and assessing individuals for programmatic planning.
• Able to work a flexible schedule based on programmatic coverage, weekend, holidays, and program emergencies.
• Implement Agency policies and procedures as defined in the Agency Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Maintain confidentiality and positive demeanor while successfully juggling multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Coordinate and assist with planning of leisure time.
• Provide emergency coverage to include overnight.
• Perform duties of individual advocacy
• Assisting person's served during the end of life reflective of palliative care and Hospice based supports and services.
• Ability to remain on duty after scheduled hours if you have not been relieved by oncoming staff.
• Attend weekly staff meeting and participate both verbally and written.
• Part Time Direct Support Professional is not required to attend staff meetings but must attend all mandatory training.

Direct Care staff will be assigned specific responsibilities which may include but are not limited to:


Advocate: All full time staff will have advocate responsibilities for one of the people living in the home.

• Responsible for preparation of Advocate Agenda for staff meetings and lead discussion concerning the person.
• Prepare all data and documentation for End of Month submission
• Ensure all records are complete, neat and in proper order
• Assure all medical, dental, personal, and social needs are met.

Safety Officer:

• Perform safety check of home, van and grounds utilizing safety checklist and report at staff meeting.
• Attend Safety Committee meetings quarterly.
• Bring report back to safety meeting regarding general and seasonal safety issues.
• Maintain ongoing focus on safety and best practice within the program.

Healthy Eating Officer:

• Healthy Eating Officer's will comply with Agency standards set-forth in the Nutritional Healthy Eating Policy and Procedure, Agency training, any and all training materials utilized to support the policy and procedure, and all duties outlined in the Direct Care/Healthy Eating Officer job description.
• Participate in 'Food for Health' training.
• Prepare weekly menus in compliance with dietary orders/needs of the individuals.
• Lead staff meeting discussions around healthy eating.
• Take primary responsibility for preparing shopping lists and maintaining healthy pantry/freezer items in the house.
• Role model healthy eating practices (i.e. meal preparation and demonstrations)

MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Other job related duties, as requested.
• Handle related job duties in compliance with Agency policy.
• Review weekly staff meeting notes and provide input into the meeting agenda.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maintain First Aid, CPR, MAP & PABC certifications.
• Complete Agency Orientation.
• Insure the program maintains the standards outlined in the Department of Developmental Services, the agency Mission Statement, the Survey and Certification Tool, as well as requirements of Performance Based Objectives.
• Obtain and maintain certification in Applied Non-Violence.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on programmatic coverage, weekend, holidays and program emergencies.
• Will not engage in actions that jeopardize the care and safety of individuals at any time.
• Ability to advocate and establish rapport with the disabled population, their families, co-workers and service providers.

Requirements

• High School Degree or G.E.D.
• Must be 21+ years old, have a valid driver's license, daily use of a car on site (preferred but not required) and be available by telephone for daily contact.