Position Title:
Direct Support Professional
May be required to work varied shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime hours as needed.
Supervisor:
Director of Operations
Primary Role: This position is the primary support for the individual in service with complex medical needs. It is a direct service position with responsibilities that include but are not limited to: routinely operating a digital thermometer, assessing pulse rates manually, conducting visual assessments of breathing rate, monitoring individuals for symptoms of both acute and chronic illnesses, bathing, cooking, cleaning and driving. The Direct Support Professional exists to support individuals with disabilities so that their medical needs do not prevent them from having a meaningful life. Support activities may include taking individuals to doctors appointments, communicating with the PCP, administering medication.
Key Responsibilities:
Everyday Lives: Values in Action: Assist and support individuals to have valued social roles such as family member, friend, neighbor, student and employee. Support each person served to become more independent, make decisions and choices, and live a meaningful dignified life. Advocate on behalf of the individual and family using person centered language. Encourage each person served to self-advocate.
Health, Safety and Welfare: Operate basic medical equipment, document symptoms and progress, communicate with PCP office. Adequately describe medical symptoms. Maintain or assist individuals to maintain cleanliness and repair of their home consistent with applicable standards. Maintain compliance with all safety standards, including the operation of agency vehicles, mobility devices and adaptive equipment. Assist individuals in the safe use of adaptive equipment. Be proactive in repairing adaptive equipment. Ensures that monthly fire drills are conducted and documented. Report any and all safety concerns to supervisor. Learn, understand and comply with implementation of each person’s Individual Support Plan. Participate in the individual’s annual assessment. Work to prevent crisis situations and/or proactively intervene to manage and de-escalate crisis situations. Actively participate in and/or coordinate required medical or clinical appointments, including but not limited to annual, required medical appointments, hospital admission and discharge planning, and other health, safety and welfare needs as needed.
Providing Services: Create a therapeutic learning environment and provide emotional and physical support for individuals. Support problem solving and conflict resolution. Participate in providing a healthy, engaging, typical home environment. Tailor services to unique individual, family and community characteristics. Promote health and wellness. Support each individual to have meaningful day activities to include employment, if appropriate. Assist the Director in scheduling recreational activities for the individuals living in the home and provide transportation as needed.
Activities of Daily Living: Plan, prepare and serve nutritional meals, or assist individuals to do so; assist with personal hygiene and encourage independence in all activities of daily living; ensure that medications are administered; schedule/attend medical appointments and implement physicians’ orders. Purchase food and supplies for home as directed.
Documentation/Communication: Communicate and collaborate effectively with others. Accurately complete required programmatic documentation and fiscal reports within the prescribed timeframes; actively participate in designing, coordinating and implementing the Individual Support Plan. Reviews and ensures that medical paperwork and appointments are completed and updated for the individuals on a weekly basis. Attend and participate in scheduled team meetings. Submit incident reports involving individuals supported within prescribed time frames. Input daily information into the progress note/billing software. Review on a monthly basis the licensing instrument to assure on-going compliance with regulations. Identify, point out and correct potential concerns. Maintain confidentiality standards.
Professionalism/Teamwork: Be an active, self-directed participant of the team, committed to problem-solving and following through with solutions. Conduct and present self in a professional manner at all times. Proactively communicate and interact in a collaborative, respectful and positive manner with team members, individuals supported, their families and all stakeholders. Maintain appropriate boundaries. Seek supervision and consultation as needed. Productively manage stress. Seek opportunities to improve knowledge, skills and abilities. Will assist supervisor in orienting new employees.
Policies and Procedures: Read thoroughly, understand and adhere to all policies and procedures that provide a legal framework for the work that we do. Ensure that all licensing, federal, state and local regulations and laws and health and safety policies are followed at all times. Maintain individuals’ confidentiality.
Financial: Provide individuals the necessary supports to manage their personal funds and possessions by following through on financial plans and maintaining expenses within budgetary guidelines. Manages the program’s cash advance and purchase card (i.e. petty cash, grocery shopping and household goods) with guidance from the supervisor.
Experience:
Training on the Job.
Education:
Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent. Certified Nurses Assistance is highly desired.
Skills:
With training, must have understanding of basic first aid procedures. Must demonstrate the ability to communicate both orally and in writing and to be able to read, interpret and apply written information. Must have the ability to learn and apply basic computer skills.
Certifications & Licenses:
Must have the ability to successfully complete required Medication Administration, First Aid and CPR certifications and other trainings mandated by regulation within specified timeframes. A valid driver’s license and daily access to privately maintained and insured vehicle is required. Must be at least 18 years of age.
Work Environment:
Position will demand frequent bending, standing, walking, sitting, reaching, lifting or carrying, and speaking on the phone. Must be able to participate in activities of daily living and ambulate throughout various homes and out in the community, including steps. Must be able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs.
Key Interfaces/Relationships:
Individuals receiving services, their family members, supervisors & other Direct Support Professionals.
Other:
Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.
The above is intended to describe the principle responsibilities and outcomes, and the associated requirements, as well as the work environment for this position. It is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all the aspects of the Direct Support Professional’s duties.
____ I understand that I must have access to a working/insured car while on duty as a DSP
____ I understand that I must attend all scheduled House Meetings
____ I understand that I must not be late for scheduled shifts
____ I understand that failing to report for 3 or more scheduled shifts could result in termination
____ I understand that all community outing must be pre-approved by my supervisor
____ I understand that I am not allowed to use my cell phone while on shift/except for business purposes
____ I understand that my entire focus should be on helping the individual(s) I support to have Everyday Life experiences that are centered around them'
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Pay Frequency:
- Bi weekly or Twice monthly
This Job Is:
- A “Fair Chance” job (you or the employer follow Fair Chance hiring practices when performing background checks)
- A good fit for applicants with gaps in their resume, or who have been out of the workforce for the past 6 months or more
- A good job for someone just entering the workforce or returning to the workforce with limited experience and education
- A job for which all ages, including older job seekers, are encouraged to apply
- Open to applicants who do not have a college diploma
Work Remotely
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: Up to $18.00 per hour
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Direct Care: 1 year (Preferred)
Shift availability:
- Night Shift (Preferred)
- Overnight Shift (Preferred)
- Day Shift (Preferred)
Work Location: In person