Direct Support Professional

The DSP provides quality living support (physical, social, behavioral, career, and personal) to persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) living and working in the community. The DSP ensures that human, civil, and legal rights of all people are protected by advocating, teaching, promoting dignity, and reasonable risk and following mandatory reporting guidelines for the people supported. Responsibilities: Provides hands-on assistance in the home including individualized support in transferring, bathing, and grooming, and following specific dining protocols and treatments. Assists with and teaches skills in laundry, meal preparation, and other household chores. Utilizes the Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) approach for prevention, intervention, teaching, and attending to behaviors. Assists with doctors appointments, emergency room, and hospital visits, and contacts on-call nursing appropriately while following HIPPA and always maintaining confidentiality and reports critical issues (including medical, maintenance, staffing, etc.) immediately to the supervisor. Maintains knowledge of Nursing Plans of Care (NPOC), feeding protocols, and safety practices and procedures including universal precautions. Administers medications according to policies and procedures of Medication Technician Training Program/Certified Medication Technician (MTTP/CMT) curriculum, and applicable regulations. Attends Person-centered Planning (PCP) meetings as required. Utilizes the Agency Case Management Software to accurately document all relevant logs (i.e.: incident reporting, diary entries, goal/outcomes, etc.) including but not limited to; Communication/Diary Logs, Incident Reporting, Goals and Outcomes, and Fire Drill Logs, as outlined in policies and procedures. Assists all persons in being actively involved in their daily activities to achieve greater independence using person-centered planning and self-determination. Maintains the home and Agency vehicles through seasonal maintenance, routine cleaning, and the immediate reporting of issues or concerns. Attends and participates in all required events, workshops, trainings, and meetings. Performs other duties as assigned. Position Specific:Employees working in the following program(s) have additional responsibilities and/or requirements in addition to the others listed. Education & Experience Requirements: High School diploma or GED Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:Valid health certificate to meet current funding jurisdiction requirements. Ability to lift a minimum of 75 pounds, stand for periods of time, bend, push wheelchairs, provide physical intervention as necessary, and be able to lift and/or transfer people. Hearing and vision abilities within normal range (corrected) to drive safely and to observe and communicate with people supported. To ensure the safety and well-being of the people we support, DSPs may be deployed to another setting during your working times on a short-term basis or as an interim assignment. Works in the community in a home/work setting with either multiple people or someone who lives/works autonomously. May be required to remain on shift outside of scheduled hours and/or make site/location changes to provide adequate staff coverage. Driving (Agency and/or personal vehicle) is required for this position. Driver must be at least 21 years of age, with a minimum of 2 years of driving experience, and a valid drivers license issued by the state of residence. There can be no state-issued restrictions on the licenses that would impede a drivers ability to operate the vehicle as required by the Agency, and there must not be more than three (3) points on their driving record. Skills/Competencies:Ability to drive multiple Agency vehicles following traffic rules and safety precautions. This includes, but is not limited to, safe driving, and the ability to secure people who use wheelchairs. Maintains a safe environment for patients and co-workers. Comfortable in an environment in which patients/clients cannot perform basic life duties. Understanding of basic concepts of personal care, housekeeping, and other care areas. Ability to relate to, empathize with, and show compassion for a variety of personalities. Writes clearly and effectively for reports, diaries, and other written communication. Requires the ability to utilize, or to learn to utilize, computer systems and software necessary to perform position functions. Basic PC, web browsing and Microsoft Outlook skills preferred.