NVCLC - Wasp Way - Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are responsible for supporting activities of people enrolled in programs and living in homes operated by Volunteers of America Chesapeake (VOAC). DSPs will teach independent living skills to the people and provide support with all activities of daily living. Additionally, the DSP will facilitate community integration, maintain the person’s safety and well-being in accordance with the Scope of Work and VOAC policies and procedures while contributing to the upkeep of the program environments. 

PRINCIPLE ACTIVITIES:

• Provides support for people as necessary to ensure needs as identified by the Inter-Disciplinary Team (IDT) are met.
• Communicates with families, members of the IDT, the person’s day program and other providers of services and supports as necessary and appropriate.
• Instructs, supports and participates in performing household tasks with people such as cleaning, preparing meals, food shopping, etc. as identified in the ISP.
• Assists people in developing daily living skills by identifying and meeting social, environmental and health care needs.
• Assists people in their daily grooming and personal care routines.
• Implements Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention responses as trained and specified in the person’s Behavior Support Plan and ISP. 
• Responds, as trained and instructed in emergency medical situations.
• Performs crisis intervention as trained and provides assistance as needed.
• Actively plans, coordinates and participates with people in social activities including frequent community outings.
• Transports people and/or provides mobility training to assist people to go on appointments, community rehabilitation programs, grocery shopping, etc.
• Documents activities and behaviors of people in files as designated, on data sheets, in log books, and various other forms as required. (This may also include the use of electronic records.)
• Prepares food according to developed menus, menu protocols, peoples’ likes and dislikes and prescribed diet.
• Attends staff meetings, training in-services, house and program meetings as directed.
• Ensures compliance with VOAC program requirements, environment-specific rules as well as those regulations from all monitoring entities.
• Inspects the home/program environments and reports repairs and maintenance as needed.
• Ensures fire and other safety procedures are carried out as directed -- including participation in routine fire drills and emergency drills.
• Checks for proper sanitation and security conditions within the home/program environment.
• Notifies supervisor and monitors activities of visitors to the home/program environment.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of VOAC policies and procedures.
• Understands role as a mandated reporter of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation.