Title: Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Department: CILA

Education : Minimum: High School Diploma.

Experience : At least 1 years of related experience working in similar environment

QUALIFICATIONS:

High school graduate preferred. Prefer one-year experience as a direct care working with people with developmental disabilities.

Must demonstrate successful completion of a direct care staff competency evaluation program that addresses all of the State requirements.
Must be in good standing with the state aide registry if currently required to be entered on that registry.
Conduct a State criminal background check for all the Direct Care Staff.
Demonstrates knowledge and competency performing supportive service procedures.
Exhibits ability to follow care plans.
Documents client care per Agency policy and procedures.
Recognizes the needs and concerns of people and maintains constructive working relationships when dealing with them.
Willing to work towards the good of the team.
Participates in quality improvement activities.
Must have access to valid Illinois motor vehicle operators license and have access to reliable automobile with current automobile insurance coverage.
Must be able to safely perform the essential functions of the position without posing a direct threat to the health and/or safety of him or herself, or others, in the workplace.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Provides supportive services to consumers and for individual consumers as assigned by the Program Coordinator according to Agency policies and procedures.
Collects consumer data as assigned and reports pertinent condition changes to the Program Coordinator as appropriate.
Reports consumer responses to supportive care provided to the consumer within the specified workday and reports to Program Coordinator information that would impact the services and/or direct staff Individual Support Plan.
Demonstrates the ability to care for a variety of consumer and reports issues to the Program Coordinator that might indicate a case conference is needed.
Participates in case conferences as requested.
Follows Individual Support Plan.
Functions according to Agency productivity standards.
Documents findings accurately, in a timely manner and on appropriate forms according to Agency policies and procedures.
Utilizes nursing and office supplies in a cost-effective and appropriate manner.
Provides accurate and timely timesheets per Agency policy.
Follows assigned schedule as assigned by Agency or notifies Program Coordinator when schedule cannot be followed.
Must maintain patient confidentiality.
Evaluates own professional needs and provides suggestions to meet those needs such as in-services or other continuing education.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

Participates in agency committees as requested.
Participates in quality improvement activities as requested.
Assists Program Coordinator in training new Direct Support Staff to the team and to their role in the agency.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide for the Consumers daily care:

Bathing, dressing, and grooming
Eating;
Elimination;
Transferring and ambulating;
Money Management;
Communication;
Help create a positive home environment;
Help the consumer develop trust;
Offer emotional support to the Patient and work with the family;
Communicate and actively listen;
Follow all infection control practices;
Maintain a clean, safe environment and report safety problems immediately to the Program Coordinator;
Determine measurements accurately (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, weight, intake, output, and food consumption if in High risk plan)
Observe and report any changes in the consumers appearance, behavior, and/or mood to the Program Coordinator; and
Other direct care tasks as assigned.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL/

MENTAL FUNCTIONS:

Must be able to speak clearly and distinctly.
Must have visual, hearing and mental ability to initiate and comprehend written and verbal communication.
Must be able to climb three flights of stairs.
Must be able to perform tasks involving physical activity, such as heavy lifting, extensive bending and standing.
Must be able to maintain calm in emergency situations.
Must be willing to be responsible for, and to maintain job-related supplies and equipment according to agency policies and expectations.

ESSENTIAL HAZARDOUS

PHYSICAL EXPOSURES:

Must be willing to travel between consumers sites in inclement weather.
Potentially exposed to variable temperatures in working environment.
Potentially exposed to threat of physical violence to self.
Potentially exposed to dangerous animals/insects such as dogs, rodents, reptiles, spiders, etc.
Potentially exposed to infectious diseases, needle sticks, etc.

CHEMICAL OR HAZARDOUS

MATERIALS EXPOSURES:

Potential exposure to cleaning substances with consumer environment.
Potential exposure to substances within office environment including copy machine toner, VDT emissions and cleaning solvents.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE

EQIPMENT REQUIRED:

Must follow Universal Precautious techniques in accordance with all agency policies and procedures to include use of personal protective equipment.

OTHER SPECIAL

CONSIDERATIONS:

Must be willing to accept assignments without regard to location, socio-economic environment, disease, ethnic origin or religion.
Must be willing to make scheduled visits on weekends or evenings when assigned.
Must comply with organization policies and procedures regarding therapeutic relationships with consumers.

Reliance Home Health Caregivers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

I understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for Reliance Home Health Caregivers to hire me. If I am hired, I understand that either Reliance Home Health Caregivers or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of Reliance Home Health Caregivers has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary. I also understand that no guarantee will be given for the number of hours of work. Upon my termination, I authorize the release of reference information to potential employers.

I understand that if an offer of employment is made, the following must be successfully completed as a condition of employment:

A background check that will include: information from previous employers, whether contained in written records or not, all public/private records, including criminal, civil, driving, credit, and education, and any other pertinent information relating to my ability to successfully perform the job for which I have been offered employment.
Pre-employment drug screening.
Pre-employment physical.

Proof of citizenship or authorization for employment in the United States is required in accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. I attest that I have given to Reliance Home Health Caregivers true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize Reliance Home Health Caregivers to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided in untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.