Direct Support Professional/Lead DSP at Next Step Inc – Watsonville, California

Duties and Responsibilities:

I. Facility Management

A. Will complete the number of on-site hours agreed upon at the time of employment and as indicated on the published schedule.

B. Responsible for maintaining supervision coverage when it is necessary for DSP, Administrator or Administrative Designee to be away from facility by notifying Administrator of absence.

C. Responsible for supporting individuals with the development and implementation of a person-centered weekly menu that also aligns with Title 22 regulations and the operating budget. Purchase and maintain adequate food supplies in house, including a three-day supply of emergency food and water; seven-day supply of non-perishable foods, and two-day supply of perishable foods. Individuals will be integrated into these activities.

D. Provide and model support that aligns with all ten federal requirements of the HCBS Final Rule-aligned.

E. Responsible for cleanliness and maintenance of the facility in accordance with regulations set forth by Community Care Licensing and the Department of Developmental Services.

F. Responsible for ordering and maintaining an adequate supply of medications from the pharmacy for each resident requiring medication. This will be done on a monthly basis or as needed to insure continuity of physician and medication orders.

G. Responsible for promptly notifying the pharmacy of any medication changes and new physician orders to insure appropriate and adequate supplies of medication.

H. Responsible for monthly fire and mass disaster drills to be held on a rotating basis on each shift.

I. Will be knowledgeable of and implement the facility plan and goals of the home, consumer IPPs, rights of persons with developmental disabilities, medication procedures (administration and general regulations), health and emergency procedures, fire safety, mass disaster planning, menu planning, transportation regulations, consumer abuse and reporting procedures, and special incident documentation.

II. Consumer Supervision and Services

A. Responsible for knowledge of and compliance with laws and regulations (e.g., Titles 17 and 22) governing Adult Residential Facilities and persons with developmental disabilities, including mandated reporting of suspected abuse.

B. Has working knowledge of each individual’s ISP/IPP and implements all behavioral, medical, and skill development objectives

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C. Have working knowledge of each Individual Program Plan and implementation of all behavioral, medical, and skill development objectives.

D. Follows established agency policies and procedures in providing services and training to each resident.

E. Responsible for responding to consumer-related emergencies while the individual is at home or at day program/work and when Administrator/Licensee is unavailable for immediate response. Responsible for transporting or arranging for transportation if consumer needs to be picked up from work due to emergency.

F. Responsible for making medical appointments as necessary to ensure that individual health and safety needs are met. This includes all consumer medical and dental needs. DSP/Administrative Designee will submit a written summary of each medical visit, phone contact with physician, or other medical service within 48 hours of provision.

G. Meet with Individuals to discuss House Rules/House Values and complaint procedure and inform individuals of the home’s operational hierarchy. Staff will insure that the procedure used to explain the process and will be appropriate and adapted to individual’s needs and preferences.

H. Ensure that individuals are actively participating in the ongoing operation of the home by involvement in house activities, morning exercise, personal hygiene and other activities of daily living, house meetings, arts and crafts, outings, and behavior intervention programs. Additionally, staff will receive support in the integration of consumers into meal planning, preparation, serving, and clean-up, while understanding that the facility is simultaneously responsible for providing these services to consumers as part of board and care responsibilities. Finally, designee will either dispense or supervise a DSP staff in dispensing individual medications. In order to dispense medications, staff must either have completed DSP training OR have completed Medication Dispensation and PRN Medications courses on the Essential CEU Institute training website.

I. Staff will help prepare meals as needed using food items purchased for the menu. Throughout, staff are responsible for encouraging the integration of consumers into meal planning, preparation, serving, and clean-up. Thus, while NEXT STEP, INC. seeks to maximize consumer independence and integrate them into meal-related activities, we also acknowledge that Title 22 requires us to provide this service in the end. Thus, staff are required to attempt to integrate Individuals into and maximize consumer independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs); however, staff are required to assist with ADLS as needed and ensure their thorough completion. The level of service required herein will be individualized for each resident.

J. Responsible for the disbursement and maintenance of consumer personal and incidental monies, providing receipts for all purchases, and providing a chronological ledger sheet showing all monies transacted in consumer funds. All requests for funds will be made through the Administrator for authorization. However, the consumer retains the right to ask for distributions from his/her P and I account at any time. Those consumer funds that are safeguarded will be stored in a locked file with supervisor/designee access at all times.

K. Participates in program development by making constructive recommendations for possible changes and revisions. Recommendations will adhere to the policies and procedures set forth in the NEXT STEP, INC. program design and will comply with regulations outlined in Titles 17 and 22.

H. Transporting consumers to medical and other appointments.

III. Staff Supervision and Training

A. Oversees and assists staff in maintaining a safe living and learning environment for each individual residing in the home.

B. Will coordinate with Administrator to support on-site orientation to all new employees within the first 40 hours of employment.

C. Organize, lead and document at least monthly fire and earthquake drills; check smoke detectors at least monthly; implement safety plans and abuse prevention protocols.

IV. Preparation and Documentation

A. Maintain daily frequency graphs, behavioral checklists, monthly summary reporting, and schedule and attend or arrange for attendance by alternate staff at all scheduled IPP and IEP meetings, including 30-day, quarterly, and annual reviews. Copies of all reports will be presented to the Administrator no less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting for review and final approval.

B. Report any and all special incidents in writing directly to the Administrator within 4 hours of their occurrence.

C. Report physical plant needs at the home to maintain compliance with Title 22 Regulations.

Specifically: Responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and overall appearance of the residential facility as governed by the established regulations outlined in Title 22 guidelines. This includes floor vacuuming, clean windows, yard areas maintained, trash areas clean, bathrooms cleaned, bed making, laundry washing and drying, cooking, sweeping floors, and various other household tasks or as assigned by supervisor to meet regulations. Plumbers, electricians, gardeners, etc. shall be hired by the Administrator or Licensee on an “as needed” basis.

D. Implements assignments in an expedient and cooperative manner.

E. Observation of consumer status including medical, mental health, and behavioral issues and notifying supervisor immediately of any changes or concerns.

F. Provide immediate and effective crisis intervention following intervention plans and guidelines received in Ukeru, and maintains at least annual re-certification.

V. Training

A. Will attend and complete all agency- and regulation-required trainings and within requisite timelines.

B. If no prior education, an additional 12 hours of continuing education will be completed in the first 6 months of employment.

C. Successfully complete crisis intervention training (e.g., Ukeru, Pro-ACT, etc.).

D. Successfully complete 35-hour Direct Support Professional training (both Year 1 and Year 2 Curricula) and accompanying exam(s) OR pass the Direct Support Professional Challenge Test

E. Possess or obtain, through attending a training, a valid First Aid and CPR Certification Card

F. Any Lead/DSP that provides support during 532 (behavioral day program) hours must have complete a 40-hour RBT training prior to providing this service.

G. Successfully complete and implement principles of Person-Centered Thinking (PCT) training and the HCBS Final Rule.

H. Complete a minimum of 12 hours per year of continuing education in the areas of consumer services as described in the program design, protection of consumers’ rights, health and social and physical integration, person-centered thinking and the planning team process, including development and implementation of IPPs.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Must be at least 21 years of age.
2. Experience: Will possess a minimum of 6 months direct care experience with persons with developmental disabilities. Behavior management experience is highly desirable and formal training in applied behavior analysis is a plus.
3. Must be in good physical, mental, and occupational health and be capable of performing intervention techniques provided through Ukeru.
4. Must meet the requirements of employment per Titles 17 and 22, Residential Care Regulations, and outlined in the NEXT STEP, INC. personnel manual. This includes valid First Aid and CPR certification, criminal records clearance, physical, T.B./chest x-ray clearance, and DMV printout.

• Fingerprint Clearance: Fingerprints will be submitted to the California Department of Justice by the Licensee via electronic transmission (i.e., Live Scan). The fingerprinting entity utilized for this process shall be approved by the Department. In summary, prior to employment, residence, or initial presence in the facility, each prospective employee will (a) obtain DOJ clearance or criminal record exemption or (b) request and receive transfer of criminal record clearance from another state licensed facility.

• Statement of Prior Criminal Convictions: Each employee will complete a signed statement declaring that s/he has not been convicted of a crime, other than a minor traffic violation. If a person has been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, a statement acknowledging that his/her continued employment is dependent upon approval of the licensing agency (i.e., an approved exception). Statements of prior criminal convictions will be submitted to the Licensing agency. The Licensing agency will review the employee’s appropriateness for the facility and will advise Licensee/Administrator of the staff person’s ability to continue working at NEXT STEP, INC.. Licensee complies with all recommendations set forth by the Department of Developmental Services, Community Care Licensing and its authorized representatives.

• Physical Examination: A complete physical, current, or no more than six (6) months old.

• TB Clearance or a Current Chest X-ray: A test for tuberculosis shall be performed and submitted to the Administrator/Licensee within seven days of employment. New TB screening will not be required of employees who provide written verification of a current TB screening, performed within the 12 months prior to the date of hire.

• First Aid and CPR Certification: All new employees must possess a valid First Aid and CPR Certification Card before providing direct care to consumers.

• DMV Report: Anyone who will be transporting consumers must possess and show proof of a Class II driver’s license

5. Ability to physically perform essential functions of the position.

6. Ability to relate to consumers in a positive, effective, and age-appropriate manner.

7. Ability to develop and maintain positive and constructive working relationships with staff and supervisors.

8. Ability to communicate IPP goals and program activities in a constructive and concise manner. Ability to participate effectively as a member of the planning team.

9. Ability to effectively communicate with staff, Individuals, and other professionals involved in the planning teams for each resident. Ability to develop and maintain positive and constructive working relationships with staff.

10. Must meet initial and ongoing agency insurance company driver approval.

Position Reports To: Administrator/Licensee

Lines of Supervision: Oversees the work performance of Direct Support Professionals employed by NEXT STEP, INC. Acts as Administrative Designee during Licensee’s absence or during other agreed-upon times.