SUMMARY OF DUTIES: Supports individuals with disabilities and special needs by providing professional, respectful, person-centered supports providing professional, respectful, person-centered supports to assist individuals to achieve goals as designated in their plan of supports. DSPs assist individuals to become more integrated in their communities, using the individual’s strengths, interests, abilities, and natural supports. DSPs support individuals to direct their own activities to create a meaningful life that maximizes the individual’s choices and independence, while maintaining the individual’s health and safety.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Reports directly to Program Coordinator
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None
JOB CLASSIFICATION: This position is designated as Essential. In an emergency, Essential personnel may be required to report for duty to maintain the health, safety and security of individuals receiving supports, or to provide essential Agency functions, despite official governmental declarations. This position is non-exempt.
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to move intermittently throughout the workday; sits, stands, bends, lifts, and possible physical interventions with individuals who are experiencing challenging behaviors or delusions; is subject to lifting, carrying and restraining individuals; may be required to lift up to 50 pounds; ability to complete a two-person lift/transfer of an individual, or a one-person lift/transfer using a mechanical lift.
TYPICAL WORKING CONDITION: Works in a comfortably furnished community home supporting persons with intellectual disability, autism, and related disabilities; is subject to frequent interruptions; is involved with individuals receiving supports, family members, personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances; is subject to hostile and emotionally upset individuals, family members, etc.; communicates with the direct service staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors; willingness to work beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary; is subject to falls, infectious diseases, odors, and physical injury due to behavior intervention throughout the work day. The Direct Support Professional may be responsible for the safe operation of agency vehicles performing the transport of people with disabilities.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (includes but not limited to): • Supports individuals to achieve personal outcomes and a high quality of life. • Assists and supports individuals to learn skills needed to accomplish goals through formal and informal training activities. • Provides support, assistance, and supervision as needed to individuals in areas to include but not limited to: Personal hygiene, independent living, meal planning and preparation, recreation, personal funds management, and health care, including medication assistance. • Assists individuals in planning and structuring activities. • Transports and accompanies individuals on recreational outings, scheduled individual or house trips, and on family visits, as needed. • Supports individuals to have optimal health and well-being. • Maintains the safety and well-being of all individuals in the home during the entire shift. • Transports individuals to medical appointments ensuring all required documentation is completed, and forwarded to the supervisor in the allotted time frame. • Maintains individual accountability/supervision at all times in accordance with the Residential Person-Centered Plan to include but not limited to supervision levels while individual is: awake, dining, sleeping, and bathing. • Assists individuals with maintaining a clean, safe and orderly home, to include performing housekeeping duties such as washing/drying clothing, washing dishes, sweeping/mopping floors, cleaning toilets/tubs. • Performs and documents fire drills as assigned. • Performs medication administration and assistance with individuals in compliance with agency medication training. • Provide safeguards and appropriately support individuals in challenging situations. • Assist in transferring and lifting of individuals receiving supports in accordance with Agency’s lifting and transferring protocol, as well as to utilize adaptive equipment properly to include but not limited to: personal lifts (E.g.: Hoyer), wheelchair lifts on vehicles, canes, and walkers. • Operates all agency vehicles in a safe and effective manner to include but not limited to: ensuring all seat belts are fastened, no cell phone use or texting while driving, and obeying all traffic laws. • Support individuals with positive behavior techniques to avoid challenging situations, following the Behavior Support Plan if applicable, and intervene as needed to preserve individuals’ health and safety utilizing Agency training. • Serve as a positive and professional role model and an effective representative of the Agency. • Behave professionally at all times and consistent with the Agency’s mission, policies, and procedures. • Works in harmonious manner with families, individuals receiving supports, co-workers, supervisors, and community groups. • Work in different residential settings as needed. • Ensures all documentation is completed in accordance with agency practices including, but not limited to: Therap T-Logs, General Event Reports, Medication Administration Records (MAR), log book entries, employee injury reports, personal property inventories, and cash on hand logs. • Attends staff meetings as assigned. • Remains current in all Agency required training, and attend all trainings as requested. • Communicates respectfully and effectively with supervisor, by notifying the supervisor of any concerns in a reasonable length of time, and attempts to resolve issues first with the supervisor prior to addressing concerns within the organizational hierarchy. • Support the exercise of individual’s rights and responsibilities. • Ensure that individual dignity is maintained at all times by supporting individuals to exercise their rights and responsibilities. • Maintain confidentiality and privacy of individuals at all times. • Other duties as assigned
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS: Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Ability to carry-out assigned tasks with/without constant supervision; maintains the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintains the appearance of therapy areas; possesses patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as willingness to make interventions with individuals despite behaviors presented; ability to seek out new methods and principles and willingness to incorporate them into existing practices; ability to read, write and speak the English language; ability to use computer and internet; ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action; ability to deal tactfully with personnel, individuals served, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public; works harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel. Education: High School Diploma or GED Experience: 1 year experience working with persons with developmental disabilities or other special needs Certificate/License: None Other: Valid SC Drivers License
ALTERNATIVE TO MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Experience requirement waived with approval of Residential Director or Human Resources Director