Choices for all, barriers for none.

Home Life is a private, non-profit organization in Corvallis, Oregon, that provides safe, integrated community living services. We empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by offering support that enhances their quality of life.

Home Life - Job Description

Position: Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Reports to: Program Manager

Program/Division: Residential Services

Supervises: N/A

Pay Classification: Non-Exempt (Hourly, eligible for overtime)

Last Revised: 01-2024

Job Summary:

Direct Support Professionals assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in enjoying active, productive, and empowered lives by providing support with daily living activities to increase or maintain the skills needed to live independently and build relationships in the community.

Minimum Qualifications:

Eligibility for Employment

• Ability to pass an initial criminal history check from the Department of Human Services Criminal Records Unit and recheck every 2 years thereafter.
• Be a citizen of the United States or legally able to work in the United States
• Must be at least eighteen years old and hold a current driving license, insurance, and a good driving record.
• Ability to complete required training and annual training thereafter.
• The ability to maintain regular attendance and to perform tasks outlined in this description (with or without a reasonable accommodation) is an essential function of this position.

Knowledge, Education, and Experience

• High school graduate or equivalent required

Skills

• Effective Verbal and Written Communication
• Technical Skills
• Organizational & Time Management
• Problem-Solving
• Coping Skills
• Relational Skills and Teamwork
• Professionalism

Abilities

• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Demonstrate an ability to establish good working relationships with any and all internal and external stakeholders, including the admin and management teams, fellow staff, Board Members, volunteers, and supported individuals.
• Demonstrate an active commitment to the Mission Statement and values of Home Life.
• Ability to model and educate on Home Life values and expectations to co-workers and new employees.
• Act as a role model by treating all people with warmth, empathy, and genuineness with respect and sensitivity for their privacy, rights, culture, ethnicity, religion, and lifestyle differences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree in Human Development, Psychology, or related field preferred.
• 1 year of experience working as a care provider or otherwise related role preferred
• Experience working with and/or supporting individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities preferred

Duties & Responsibilities:

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None.

General Responsibilities

Overall Expectations:

1. Report directly to the Assistant Program or Program Manager; adhere to all policies, rules, and procedures of Home Life and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR).
2. Ensure that working hours are accurately documented.
3. Understand the requirements of maintaining confidentiality and safeguarding individual information.
4. Work as a team with the other support staff in the program to ensure the best quality of services are provided to our supported individuals.
5. Ensure that all pertinent information regarding individual supported individuals, major issues, or the program is communicated to other staff or supervisors as needed. Please note: all agency and supported individual coordination of information (e.g., parents, vocational, Mental Health, etc.) will be done by the House Manager. There will be correspondence between vocational programs, family members, and DSPs for the purpose of schedule coordination.
6. Ensure that all household supplies/equipment are available and in good working order, and ensure that all routine yard maintenance responsibilities are met as assigned by the House Manager.
7. Attend and participate in staff meetings unless excused by the House Manager and attend all required training as assigned by the House Manager or Training Coordinator.
8. Review and complete company communications daily and communicate with staff, individuals, and the community in a timely and professional manner.
9. Effectively navigate escalated situations or emergencies while keeping yourself and supported individuals safe.
10. Set and maintain healthy, appropriate boundaries among coworkers and supported individuals.
11. Assume additional responsibilities as assigned by the management team.

Health and Safety:

1. Follow the supported individual’s support plan(s) and protocols as outlined by the Individual Support Plan (ISP) team.
2. Complete General Event Reports (GER) and Therap progress notes (Tlogs) in accordance with directives and training.
3. Conduct and document quarterly fire drills and ensure the House Manager is made aware of any problems that arise on supported individual evacuation, e.g., failure to evacuate within a reasonable amount of time.
4. Ensure that nutritionally balanced meals are prepared by/with supported individuals and are available to supported individuals in accordance with written menus.
5. Respond appropriately to the posted Emergency Preparedness Plan and On-Call Procedures.
6. Ensure that the Safety & Sanitation Checklist is completed as assigned.
7. Ensure that supported individual medications are administered as prescribed and that Medication Administration Records (MARs) are maintained according to Home Life procedures.
8. Staff leaving a shift will communicate all pertinent information (including, but not limited to: medication administration, behavioral concerns, and appointments) to staff coming on shift, based on the protocols and needs of each program.
9. Ensure that supported individual medical records are reviewed and updated.
10. Ensure that all supported individual medical needs are met and documented as assigned by the House Manager. (e.g., renewing prescriptions, making appointments, etc.)

Finances:

1. Ensure that supported individual's money is locked/safeguarded at all times while on duty.
2. Ensure that funds that are accessible and on hand match the ledger.
3. Ensure that itemized receipts are kept for expenses incurred by supported individuals and/or staff
4. Communicate with management if a supported individual has a larger expenditure.
5. Complete money counts during shift changes.

Advocacy:

1. Read, ensure understanding, and continually follow supported individuals’ ISP and PBSP (as applicable).
2. Daily and scheduled support needs for ADLs and IADLs.
3. Assist supported individuals in understanding their rights, responsibilities, and freedoms in an effort to facilitate individual independence.
4. Be present with, attentive to, and assist each supported individual to use a positive person-centered approach. Supported individuals should be treated with dignity and respect and be involved in decision-making that affects their lives.
5. Use the least intrusive supportive services to assist and encourage supported individuals to live as independently as possible within a safe, healthy environment that fosters growth with the understanding that they have many capabilities, are valuable, and can contribute to the community.
6. Ensure that all supported individuals’ needs and routines are met as outlined in their ISP and assigned by the House Manager.
7. Assist supported individuals in identifying and communicating their preferences, needs, and wants, and in having an active role as a member of their house. This will entail assisting supported individuals to perform household responsibilities whenever possible and personally performing some duties. Keeping the residence neat, clean, and odor-free with supported individual involvement.
8. Assist supported individuals in developing and maintaining positive relationships in the community; model and teach safety and appropriate social skills.
9. Record and collect necessary data to support the Individual Support Plan and Positive Behavior Support Plans each shift, and assist supported individuals in informed choice; follow the Home and Community-Based Setting (HCBS) rights.

Misc. and Other Duties as Assigned:

• Assume additional responsibilities as assigned by the House Manager, Program Coordinator, or Program Director.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

• The physical effort typically required in this job includes but is not limited to, lifting up to 110 lbs., transferring with supported individual assistance up to 250 lbs., pulling, reaching, repositioning, carrying, pushing, keying/typing, applying physical holds (as per Oregon Intervention System OIS instruction), and other duties as needed with or without reasonable accommodation.