Job Summary:

Under the general direction and supervision of the Executive, Senior Director, and Assistant Residential Directors, the Direct Support Professional is responsible for providing and fulfilling the medical, health, safety, and training needs of each participant receiving services, along with maintaining a clean and healthy environment in each home.

Essential Functions:

• Attends to participant’s needs, which may include assistance with grooming, choosing appropriate dress, bathing, oral hygiene, feeding, incontinence care, toileting, transferring, ambulation, range of motion, communicating, and/or any needs participant has listed in Plan of Care.
• Maintains a safe environment. Reports any unsafe conditions or acts to direct supervisor or on-call. Familiarizes self with location of fire extinguishers and home emergency evacuation plans. Completes designated monthly emergency drills-(fire, tornado, etc.) before the 15th of each month as instructed per schedule.
• Ensures the nutritional needs of the participants in their homes. Assists with weekly grocery shopping and adherence of prescribed diets.
• Interacts appropriately with participants. Treats participants with dignity and respect. Educates participants to advocate for themselves and exercise rights on a daily basis.
• Provides assistance to each participant in exploring opportunities for community involvement, specifically leisure and recreation activities, as outlined in the participant’s Plan of Care. Documents community involvement on appropriate record(s).
• Completes documentation in the participant’s residential record using correct terminology on the daily notes, summaries, charts, and data sheets. Indicating whether Plan of Care goals and outcomes have been achieved. Submits all paperwork by the required monthly deadlines.
• Completes initial and ongoing medication administration training. Administers and documents medication at 90% - 95% accuracy as documented through Agency medication error/incident reports.
• Cooperates and works as a team member with co-workers and supervisors. Treats co-workers and supervisors with respect. Promotes teamwork and maintains a positive attitude.
• Completes initial and annual training-(SCM, CPR, Tb skin tests, etc.) as directed by Agency policy and regulatory standards. Attends monthly staff meetings and additional staff development trainings as scheduled.
• Adheres to Agency policy and procedures. Maintains a consistent work attendance record. Limits use of calling off to a minimum and notifies direct supervisor in appropriate amount of time when unable to report to work.
• Fosters collaborative working relationships among members of the leadership and management teams and programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED; prefer one (1) year of experience working with individuals with disabilities or in a residential setting.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Good verbal and writing skills.
• Ability to work 24-hour shifts.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality.
• Must consistently exhibit mental and emotional stability in order to understand and perform the essential functions on the job.

EXPOSURE CATEGORIES:

• Blood Borne Disease Exposure Category: Category II
• Other Potential Hazard(s): Participates in therapeutic intervention which involves some personal risk when dealing with a physically aggressive client. Lifting: May participate in lifting or transferring clients. Back supports are provided and are mandatory to wear at all times while lifting.

TRAINING:

1. Medication Administration/Seizure Training: Strategic Partnership’s staff are required to complete and pass the Medication Administration/Seizure Training class prior to independent functioning. The Medication Administration/Seizure training must be re-certified annually.
2. College for Direct Supports Training: Strategic Partnership’s staff are required to successfully complete the College for Direct Supports on-line curriculum phase I before independent functioning and phase II during first 6 months of employment.