Direct Support Professional - Madison

Position Summary

Under supervision, assists with daily living activities at the person's home, in a daytime non-residential facility or a residential facility. Provides training of basic personal and social skills, simple academics, or work skills to consumers/students in a state school, hospital, juvenile detention facility, residence, group home, workshop, or supported employment environment.

Job Responsibilities and Performance Standards

• Arranges for needed medical care and provides needed services to assure that medical care is obtained
• Performs housecleaning chores and trains clients in basic housecleaning/laundry skills
• Assists clients in shopping for food, household supplies, and clothing; trains shopping skills
• Plans budget with clients and helps pay bills and determine essential purchases
• Encourages nutritious meals, instructs in meal planning, and prepares meals when clients cannot
• Assists client in applying for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and other community resources
• Provides emotional support to families in crisis and under chronic stress
• Assists in presentation of educational group lectures related to appropriate topics
• Assists clients in seeking dependable transportation outside the agency
• Provides safe transportation for clients following all vehicle safety laws
• Assists with the development of an individual service/treatment plan for each assigned consumer/student
• Listens and talks with clients to obtain information about their needs and improve self-esteem
• Assists clients with personal grooming, selecting clothing, or other personal assistance
• Instructs family members on care for the disabled client
• Encourages recreational activities that enhance client self-worth
• Cares for individuals and families during periods of incapacitation, family disruption or convalescence
• Observes and reports signs and symptoms of illness to case manager
• Schedules appointments for needed medical treatment
• Accompanies client to doctors, obtains doctor's instructions and helps clients understand and follow them
• Assists clients in obtaining an adequate supply of prescriptions and develops a safe method to assist with proper dosages
• Assists in planning and preparing a prescribed diet
• Counsels and advises clients on behavioral problems, daily decision-making, and resolution of minor problems
• Maintains confidentiality of client records
• Completes all forms and narratives in accordance with agency policies
• Maintains case records accurately and in proper order
• Maintains a tickler file for upcoming reviews and deadlines
• Maintains accurate personal records, e.g., travel, leave, time sheets
• Provides verbal or written feedback to caseworker/supervisory staff regarding assignments
• Instructs and advises clients/residents on daily living skills in one-on-one or group instruction
• Attends unit meetings and supervisory conferences as scheduled
• Attends internal and external educational programs and meetings for continuing education
• Reads and evaluates relevant literature, manual transmittals, county letters, and memorandums
• Observes and monitors client behavior
• Participates in case reviews, consulting with the team to evaluate the client's needs and plan for continuing services
• Performs housekeeping duties, such as cleaning, washing clothes and dishes, and running errands
• Plans, shops for, and prepares meals, including special diets
• Prepares and maintains records of client progress and services performed, reporting changes in client condition to manager or supervisor
• Provides transportation for clients/residents to appointments and activities

Sample Technical Competencies

• Ability to observe and monitor participants' behavior
• Ability to assist and supervise participants with daily living activities
• Ability to develop individualized plans
• Ability to provide training and/or orientation services to participants
• Ability to participate in supportive guidance, staff supervision sessions, program planning meetings, consumer staffing's and service training
• Ability to complete evaluations to determine functional level of participants

Qualifications

DSP 1: High school diploma or GED AND any combination of training and experience, which would have enabled the applicant to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. Note: Some positions may require a valid driver's license.

DSP 2: One year experience providing social or direct care services to groups of special needs individuals in a human service setting OR associate degree in a related field OR One year experience at the lower level or position equivalent. Note: Some positions may require a valid driver's license.

DSP 3: Two years' experience providing social or direct care services to groups of special needs individuals in a human service setting OR associate degree in a related field and one year of related experience OR bachelor's degree in a related field OR One year experience at the lower level or position equivalent. Note: Some positions may require a valid driver's license.