Direct Support Professional Wed/Thur/Fri e/o Sat 7a - 7p

Direct Support Staff Job Summary

The Direct Support Professional ensures the basic needs of the persons supported residing at the home are met. The Residential Specialist/Direct Support Professional will provide a minimum of personal hygiene, self-care skills, money management, housekeeping, recreation, and promoting community involvement. The Direct Support Professional ensures that the safety and well-being of the persons supported are always met, including waking or sleeping hours.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide necessary assistance in bathing, dressing, toileting, and hygiene.
• Assist in meal preparation and grocery shopping, providing ample opportunity for choice.
• Assist in household chores such as vacuuming, dishes, sweeping/mopping floors, laundry, and general housekeeping.
• Assist persons supported in taking medications prescribed by a doctor, according to the agency's medication administration policy.
• Assist persons supported in all personal and self-care skills areas, as indicated by the Individual Support Plan (ISP).
• Review the Individual Support Plan (ISP) for outcomes and implementation plans.
• Assist the persons supported with obtaining money to shop and shopping for needed items.
• Report all medical, behavioral, or other concerns to the residential manager and house staff.
• Other duties may be assigned based on the needs of the persons supported.

Community Involvement

• Review and follow the Individual Support Plan (ISP) outcomes and implementation plans.
• Ensure each person's daily needs are met while away from home by preparing the needed items to take with them.
• Assist the persons supported in meaningfully choosing how to spend their day.
• Present choices of places the persons supported would like to visit.
• Be prepared in advance for any outings by requesting the necessary funds or other needed items.
• Be aware of upcoming events in the community.
• Ensure the persons supported have ample opportunity to attend community events.
• Coordinate trips/visits with relatives or other important people in the person's life.
• Assist in coordinating activities based on the person's interests.

Documentation Requirements

• Communication between staff in the communication log.
• Daily notes in the person's supported file.
• Behavior Data sheets as needed as behaviors occur.
• Medication Administration Record (MAR).
• All activities and outings in daily notes unless otherwise specified.
• Attend doctor appointments as necessary and document results.
• Communicate all medical, behavioral, or other concerns to the Residential Manager and other home staff.

Professional Responsibilities

• Assumes responsibility for the person's safety while in the community.
• Deals effectively with stress and stressful situations.
• Deals effectively and cooperatively with parents, co-workers, persons supported, and the general public.
• Maintains familiarity with agency policies and procedures.
• Attends all staff meetings as required by the Residential Manager.
• Maintains a clear line of communication between residential and management staff.
• Attends and participates in all Circle of Support meetings for the persons supported served.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Direct Support Professional Level 2 Certification, required.
• Valid Tennessee, Kentucky, or Alabama driver's license (military exceptions available).
• Ability to read and follow directions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Satisfactory criminal background check and clear Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).
• Ability to attend and pass all required training courses.
• TB test within the last 12 months (if you do not have one, we will send you to get one upon hire).

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, and talk or hear. The employee must frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.