Direct Support Professional (DSP) - Caregiver - Northwest Arkansas

Direct Support Professional

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is responsible for a variety of duties related to the overall care and independence of individuals at Easterseals Arkansas who have physical, developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. The DSP will increase the independence of the individual by providing training and assistance on individualized goals and objectives for daily life skills in a supportive and positive learning environment. The DSP will support the health, safety and an active lifestyle of the individual served. The DSP will provide or assist with personal care activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Programming:

• Assist in the assessment of the individuals strengths and needs.
• Provide input into the development of the individuals treatment plan (goals and objectives).
• Implement individual treatment and behavioral plans using a variety of methodologies and best practices based on the needs of the individual.
• Ensure that all individuals remain actively engaged in meaningful activities according to their individual functional level.
• Record accurate and detailed documentation within required timeframes regarding each individuals progress in meeting goals and objectives, personal care, behavior reports and health and safety as required by the program. Additional documentation may be required when necessary.
• Maintain a safe and organized training area that supports learning and personal growth.
• Address challenging behaviors proactively and utilize positive behavior intervention to manage and promote improved behavior while remaining supportive of individuality.
• Assist individuals in recreational, social and community activities based on preference and individual plans.
• Monitor the health and safety of the individual at all times.
• Respond to and report unsafe conditions, environment and equipment to the Supervisor, verbally and in writing.
• Observe individuals for injury or bruises. Follow incident reporting procedures including documentation and submitting report to a Supervisor.
• Assist individuals by providing for special health care and personal care needs.
• Evaluate the individual for changes in emotional and/or physical status and report verbally and in writing any concerns to a Supervisor.
• Ensure that each individuals rights are protected.
• Use person first language and treat individuals with dignity and respect.
• Dress appropriately and professionally for the responsibilities of the position.

Transportation:

• May provide transportation to individuals served. If required to drive, will maintain a valid Arkansas Drivers License and current car insurance, will complete annual Rules of the Road training and if required, will obtain a CDL.
• Will follow all vehicle procedures including but not limited to vehicle pre-check inspection, using seat belts, wheelchair tie-downs, not using cell phone or engaging in any prohibited conduct.

Availability:

• Comply with work schedule as assigned by Supervisor. The work schedule and location may vary with little to no notice based upon workload and organizational needs.
• Ensure that the staff to individual served ratio as required by regulatory agencies are met at all times. A program may require a DSP identified as part of the employee to individual ratio to complete their scheduled work shift without an unpaid meal break provided.
• Arrive prepared for scheduled or assigned job duties and responsibilities.
• Clock in and out before and after every shift or record time accurately and meet required time frames.
• Comply with Easterseals Arkansas and the programs attendance and leave procedures.

Interpersonal Relationships:

• Use a team approach to support and improve the health, behavioral and learning needs of the individuals served.
• Maintain a professional working relationship with all individuals served, families, co-workers and administrative staff at all times.
• Provide a timely and professional response and/or action to individuals served, their families, caregivers and other stakeholders.

Training:

• Complete annual training as required by Easterseals Arkansas and program licensing agency by participation in trainings offered by Easterseals, licensing agency, other sources and self-study.
• Use tools and information from trainings to enhance the quality of services.

Compliance/HIPAA:

While performing the duties of this job, employee will comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to Easterseals Arkansas.

Employee has access to all protected health information of the individuals directly served by this person, except psychotherapy notes. Employee will not attempt to access any other protected health information unless otherwise approved by Supervisor or Privacy Officer.

Requirements:

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: Minimum High School diploma or General Education Degree (GED) or equivalent OR at least one (1) year of verifiable experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Language Skills: Ability to read and the ability to follow, give and receive written and/or verbal instructions.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid Arkansas Driver's License
• First Aid and CPR certification within the first 90 days of employment and maintained throughout employment.
• Ability to obtain additional credentials based on future organizational and/or regulatory requirements.

Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to lift and transfer individuals according to weight guidelines for lifting.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and see, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Employee will refer to the individuals treatment plan for guidance when lifting or moving an individual greater than 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.