DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

Job Details

Description

SUMMARY

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides an array of services which are necessary to support individuals and their families with needs related to disabilities, mental health and aging to live in community settings and provide services of fellowship, care and protection.

Such services may include household work related to care such as meal preparation, bed-making, laundry and other similar services.

Supports are individually planned and tailored to meet the specific needs of the individuals we service.This may include working at multiple homes, and locations.

Direct Support Professionals are expected to maintain professionalism and provide excellent customer service at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interact with Individuals
• Talk to and interact with individuals respectfully; knowledge of and sensitive to individual verbal and nonverbal communication.
• Provide guidance and assistance in order to engage individuals in activities in the home and community in ways that are relevant and in tune with individual choices, interests, and concerns.

Activities may include going to sporting events or out to eat, shopping, swimming, and participating in exercise groups or church groups and other social activities as determined by an individuals choices.

• Work with individuals to discover and pursue personal goals in keeping with their Individual Support Plans. (ISPs)
• Guide and assist individuals in learning activities of daily living skills (ADLs) both in the home and in the community.
• Support individual relationships with family members, friends, guardians and other advocates. This support may include, but is not limited to correspondence and visits with family and friends and coordinating attendance at special events such as vacations, funerals, weddings and other celebrations.
• Support each individuals personal and family religious belief system in the home and facilitate individuals attendance at religious services according to individuals choice, if applicable.
• Interact appropriately and professionally with individuals with regard to attitude, self-control, self -discipline, cooperation, tone of voice, language usage, and in other areas as needed.
• Properly care for the house, furnishings and individuals clothes and assist with making television, radio, and movie choices according to individual interests.
• Transport individuals safely while following all guidelines pertaining to regulatory standards

Support Individual Health and Well-Being

• Read and follow each individuals ISPs and protocols.
• At the beginning of each shift, read individual is Communication Log, going back to your previous shift in order to be aware of individuals status and activities.
• Make entries in Communication Log as appropriate.
• Provide guidance and assistance to individuals in their personal hygiene and appearance in the areas of tooth brushing, bathing, toileting, hair care including seeking / following guardian permission / direction with regarding to haircuts and hair coloring, care and selection of clothing and dressing appropriately for weather conditions.
• Be attentive to individuals medical issues and alert supervisors and / or nurses to medical issues and / or changes in individuals health and / or problems relating to medication or medical equipment.

Also alert day program staff and guardian as requested.

• Follow medical orders and directions from medical staff and supervisors concerning individuals health issues, treatments and therapies and be attentive to details in those orders and directions.
• Accompany individuals to medical appointments and to Urgent Care and the Emergency Room as needed. Facilitate communication of information between individual and medical staff.

Assist individual participation in medical exams.

Assist individuals in and out of the bathtub, the van, furniture and in other situations as needed. This may involve awkward, heavy lifting.

Use a mechanical lift or other lifting methods for moving individuals who require them.

• Carry Out Safety, Meal Preparation and Cleaning Procedures
• Safety and Emergency Response : follow all policies, procedures and training related to safety and emergency response.
• Assist individuals in evacuation drills and emergencies in the home and in the community; this may include lifting and / or carrying individuals who are on ambulatory, non-compliant or for other reasons unable to move to safety.
• Clear walkways, fire exits and driveways of snow and ice as needed.
• Know how to use fire-related equipment such as extinguishers and alarms as trained.
• According to the individuals ISP, assist them with the appropriate adaptive equipment.
• Be familiar with all medical equipment used in the home including mechanical lifts and lifting methods.
• Meals, Food Handling and Preparation
• Assist individuals with meal planning, shopping for groceries, food preparation, and cleanup as needed.
• Prepare meals following the regulatory standards and menu and nutrition guidelines provided.
• Share food and table conversation with individuals in family style meals when possible.
• Assist individuals with eating as needed.
• Clean up table, food prep area, and dishes per regulatory standards.
• Clean the kitchen appliances according to cleaning checklists.
• Label food per regulatory standards.
• Maintain a safe, clean and orderly home and company vehicle by :
• Putting things away after use;
• Follow the Cleaning checklist;
• Refueling and maintaining company vehicle and completing vehicle documentation as required.
• Take care of laundry and bedding : Wash, dry, fold and put away clothes and other laundry in proper locations; change and launder wet or soiled bed sheets and disinfect bed when necessary, according to regulatory standards.
• Seek and Follow the Advice and Directions of Supervisors

You must seek the advice of a Home Supervisor, Coordinator or the Director of the department, where applicable, when you have questions concerning your performance of the functions of your job.

You must follow directions and assignments given by a supervisor concerning performance of functions of this position.

Work Effectively with Coworkers

You must work with coworkers as a team player. You must communicate with coworkers both verbally and in writing.You must recognize and respond appropriately to nonverbal and situational cues from coworkers, such as when there is a need for physical assistance with individual care or verbal reinforcement relating to a behavior issue.

When problems or emergencies arise, you must be willing and able to adapt to the needs of the group in the working environment.

Present a Positive Attitude and Professionalism

Present a positive attitude and maintain professionalism regarding all InCommunitys information (within the home, between homes and outside the company) regarding individual, staff and company issues.

This means refraining from inappropriate comments or gossip.

Adhere to Scheduling Policies

You must be punctual and ready to start your shift at designated times and you must continue working until you are replaced by another staff person.

Adhere to Company Policies and Procedures

Adhere to all company policies and procedures as stated in the current InCommunity Employee Handbook, InCommunitys Policies and Procedures binder or other documentation.

FOR OVER NIGHT SHIFTS ONLY

In addition to the Essential Functions listed above, the following functions have been determined to be essential to the successful performance of awake night shifts.

• Follow the Over Night Shift Checklist.
• Stay awake and alert at night.
• Follow the house-specific Over Night Shift Checklist it pertains to individual; specifically :
• Check on individuals during the night as directed in their ISPs. Assist them if needs arise that require your help or presence.
• Assist individuals with their morning routines when your shift includes those hours.
• Follow the protocols for when individuals are sick.
• Notify supervisor for individual health-related questions / concerns.
• Follow the house-specific checklist regarding cooking, cleaning and any other household duties which are to be completed during the over night shift.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Must be 23 years of age or older, possess a valid drivers license, valid insurance and specific plan for transportation, if required.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Six months experience in developmental disabilities, mental health, or aging, with the focus being in community based programs and knowledge of family systems, person centered programs and structures is preferred.

Personal and / or volunteer experience is considered for employment.