Are you a caring, compassionate, dependable, and understanding individual? Do you love to help and support people who want to live independently to be healthy, safe, valued, and participating members of their communities? If you are looking for part-time or full-time employment, are semi-retired, or are seeking a career change to a more rewarding position, we want YOU to join our team at Progressive Directions to support individuals with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities! Help us bring independence closer to home to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities!

Progressive Directions, Inc. is a nonprofit charitable organization established over forty years ago in Clarksville, TN. Since then, PDI has been guided by its mission to support persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities by providing innovative programs and delivering transformative services to the community. PDI reinforces core beliefs by helping individuals achieve personal success through pride, dignity, and independence. More about our company visit: https://progressivedirections.org/

NOTICE: This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history to be considered for this position.

Direct Support Staff Job Summary:

The Direct Support Professional ensures the basic needs of the persons supported residing at the home are met. The Residential Specialist/Direct Support Professional will provide at least personal hygiene, self-care skills, money management, housekeeping, recreation, and community involvement. The Direct Support Professional ensures that the safety and well-being of the persons supported are maintained at all times, including during waking and sleeping hours.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (include but are not limited to the following):

1. Provide necessary assistance in bathing, dressing, toileting, and hygiene.
2. Assist in meal preparation and grocery shopping. Providing ample opportunity for choice. (According to the needs of the persons supported)
3. Assist in household chores. (I.e., vacuuming, dishes, sweeping/mopping floors, laundry, general housekeeping, etc.)
4. Assist persons supported in taking medications prescribed by a doctor, according to the agency's medication administration policy.
5. Assist persons supported in all personal and self-care skills areas, as indicated by the person's supported Individual Support Plan (ISP).
6. Review the person's supported Individual Support Plan (ISP) for outcomes and implementation plans.
7. Assist the persons supported with obtaining money to shop and shopping for needed items (personal and otherwise).
8. I will report all medical, behavioral, or other concerns to the residential manager (RM) and house staff.
9. Other duties may be assigned based on the needs of the persons supported.

Community Involvement:

1. Review and follow the Person's supported Individual Support Plan (ISP) outcomes and implementation plans.
2. Ensure each person's supported daily needs are met while away from home by preparing the necessary items to take with them, based on availability.
3. Assist the persons supported in meaningfully choosing how to spend their day.
4. Present the choices of places that the people who supported would like to visit.
5. Be prepared in advance for any outings by requesting the necessary funds or other needed items (as much as possible).
6. Be aware of upcoming events in the community.
7. Ensure the persons supported(s) served have ample opportunity to attend community events.
8. Coordinate trips/visits with relatives or other important people in the person's supported life.
9. Assist in coordinating activities based on the person's supported interests.

Documentation Requirements:

1. Communication between staff in the communication log.
2. Daily notes in the person's supported file.
3. Behavior Date sheets (as needed, as behaviors occur).
4. Medication Administration Record (MAR).
5. All activities and outings (in daily notes unless otherwise specified).
6. Will attend doctor appointments as necessary and document results.
7. Will communicate all medical, behavioral, or other concerns to the Residential Manager (RM) and other home staff.

Professional Responsibilities:

1. Assumes responsibility for the person's safety while in the community.
2. Deals effectively with stress and stressful situations.
3. Deals effectively and cooperatively with parents, co-workers, persons supported, and the general public.
4. Maintains familiarity with agency policies and procedures.
5. Attending all staff meetings as required by the RM.
6. Maintains a clear line of communication between residential and management staff.
7. Attends and participates in all Circle of Support meetings for the persons served.

QUALIFICATIONS:

High School Diploma or GED preferred.

Valid Tennessee, Kentucky, or Alabama driver’s license (military exceptions available).

Ability to read and follow directions.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Satisfactory criminal background check and clear Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).

Ability to attend and pass all required training courses.

TB test within the last 12 months (if you do not have one, we will send you to get one upon hire).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, and talk or hear. The employee must frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and move up 50 pounds.