Direct Support Specialist

Overview

Promote the values, dreams and potential of individuals with developmental disabilities through education and meaningful activities.

Minimum Education Required

High School Diploma / GED

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and commitment to, agency mission and values.
• Demonstrate respect for, and provide information to, individuals regarding human rights, privacy, and confidentiality.
• Follow agency policies and procedures, including work schedule, use of time off and transportation schedule.
• Interact verbally in a professional manner with the individuals supported, families, coworkers, supervisors and community members.
• Demonstrate the ability to set a side personal prejudices and fears to support individual(s) in taking risks and making informed decisions.
• Maintain agency standards of confidentiality.
• Complete required documentation in a timely and professional manner.
• Identify local community resources and ensure individual(s) access to needed local resources on a consistent basis.
• Maintain a respectful manner and tone of voice with others.
• Promote teamwork and open communication among staff members and individuals supported by the program.
• Appropriately implement teaching strategies for ISP goals and behavior plan.

Competencies :

• Problem Solving- identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Respect shows respect for self, coworkers and the individuals supported.
• Interpersonal Skills- maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.
• Oral communication- speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations demonstrates group presentation skills.
• Written Communication- is able to read and write information to communicate.
• Planning / organizing- prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
• Quality control- demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Adaptability- adapts to changes in the work environment and deals with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
• Dependability- is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security- actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• One year experience in developmental disabilities or behavioral health area preferred.
• Valid driver’s license along with an acceptable driving status.
• Use of a reliable vehicle, which seats two passengers.
• Additional specific experience may be required.

HMEA, Inc is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles of affirmative action.