FT Direct Support Professional

Job Description for:  Direct Support Professional/Home and Community

Reports To: Program Specialist

Classification:  Full Time – An employee who normally works a minimum of 36 hours per week on the same shift and on the same days of the week.  This position is non-exempt from overtime pay.

Job Summary: The Direct Support Professional in this position provides supervision and guidance to the individuals with disabilities in the community by performing a variety of tasks in the areas of personal care and crisis management.     

Physical Demands:  Must be able to perform the following functions:

• Physically lift 40-100 pounds unassisted
• Physically lift 100 pounds or more assisted
• Reach above head and below knees
• Endure repetitive motions with right and left hands
• Reach out as to pull and push a wheelchair
• Make twisting and bending motions at the waist
• Have good reaction response to protect personal space

Job Responsibilities:            

• • Performs all job duties with the Agency’s mission, vision, and values in mind
  • Identify individual’s strengths, needs, and goals.
  • Ensures implementation of Individual Service Plans (ISPs) and documentations outcomes accurately and in a timely fashion
  • Attend 24 hours per year, including mandatory trainings and staff meetings as assigned.
  • Responsible for safeguarding participant and residence funds and completing appropriate documentation.
  • Assist or perform aspects of personal care such as tooth-brushing, toileting, bathing, clothing, and feeding.
  • Perform housekeeping duties such as vacuuming, shopping, laundry, and mopping.
  • Drives agency vehicle and provides transportation to complete residence functions and transports participants to programs and appointments. 
  • Responsible for medication administration.  Must maintain Approved Medication Personnel Status and adhere to polices and procedures relevant to medication administration.
  • Act as an advocate for individuals in regard to community relations.
  • Maintains and adheres to ethics of confidentiality
  • Provide assistance with individual’s emotional issues and provide support and solutions.
  • .Report any incidents identified in the Incident Management Bulletin, safety issues, and workplace injuries immediately.
  • Performs any and all related tasks as assigned by the immediate supervisor

Training Requirements:  The Direct Support Professional is required to complete certain training requirements as listed below:

1. CPR (every 2 years)
2. First Aid (every 2 years)
3. Infectious Diseases and Universal Precautions (annually)
4. Confidentiality (annually)
5. Fire safety and Extinguisher Use (annually)
6. Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) (annually)
7. Medications Administration (upon 60 day probation and annually thereafter)

Medical Physical: Direct Support Workers are required to get a pre-employment physical and a physical with a mantoux TB test every 2 years.

Working Conditions: Employee in this position may be expected to work evenings and weekends, and will be expected to be dependable.   Employee is also exposed on a regular basis to individuals who have mental retardation diagnosis which might include the following behaviors, but not limited to:  attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders, below level intellectual functioning, and depression.  The employee is occasionally exposed to individuals who have the potential to be carrying a communicable disease.

Must have a valid driver’s license, a high school diploma or GED equivalent, no criminal record, and must be a U.S. citizen.