Dir Support Professional

Job Summary: The Direct Support Professional is a direct-care staff position responsible for the operation, coordination, instruction and supervision of consumers in residential support homes or life enrichment center facilities while ensuring the protection of the individuals' rights. This position is responsible for assisting individual consumers in acquiring and maintaining self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills necessary to reside successfully in home and community-based settings, promoting a safe and healthy living environment and increasing the capabilities of the individual consumer within the policies and procedures of the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provides for the complete care of the consumers, including direct supervision of activities of daily living (grooming, eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, and personal hygiene).
• Maintains the facility (group home or day hab space) and equipment in a safe and clean condition and reports repair needs in a timely manner.
• Provides reinforcement of counseling and therapy activities; corrects unacceptable behavior and helps people served meet the necessary requirements of the house and/or program rules.
• Provides assistance with medications and the performance of tasks as delegated by an RN.
• Maintains clinical records and documentation as required by organization policies and procedures such as, but not limited to, documentation of consumer expenditures, significant observation notes, and any behavioral management activities.
• Prepares meals and provides assistance with meal planning and preparation as indicated by individual need.
• Assists in securing and providing transportation; keeps inside of vehicles clean and ensures sufficient gasoline level for next usage.
• Provides housekeeping or assistance with housekeeping as indicated by individual need.
• Provides assistance with ambulation and mobility.
• Makes written reports of significant incidents occurring during shift.
• Provides direct supervision of individuals' safety and security through preventive techniques, including conducting fire drills as required.
• Assists in carrying out the training outlined in behavior management plans or behavior strategies, provides input to individual program planning for people served, and completes required documentation in a timely manner, including supervision of people served in workshop activities.
• Assists in facilitating inclusion in community activities, use of natural supports, social interaction, participation in leisure activities, and development of socially valued behaviors.
• Supervises people served in recreational activities both in and out of residence or life enrichment center.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with consumers, co-workers, families and other agencies.
• Provides habilitation, which could be Day Habilitation at the life enrichment center.
• Assists in program plan development as required by Care Coordinator or supervisor.
• Participates in program plan implementation and provides continuous instruction, supervision, training, encouragement and reinforcement to consumers according to program outlined in plan.
• Participates in review process of individuals' programs.
• Completes documentation of ISP training goals, training reports and other areas of program compliance in a timely manner.
• Advocates for individual consumer rights and reports suspected abuse & neglect to supervisor immediately (within one hour).
• Advises supervisor or support coordinator of any special needs or emergencies and recommends follow-up.
• Assists supervisor with budget control activities, e.g., conserving resources, reducing utilities cost, avoiding waste, reducing overtime, etc.
• When working in HCS programs, will adhere to the program's Evidentiary Principles.
• Promotes an organizational culture that fosters passion for the mission, cooperation, open and frequent communication, teamwork, and is in alignment with the organizational vision.
• Attends all required meetings and trainings.
• Requires regular attendance and punctuality during the scheduled shift to perform the above essential functions.
• Performs other duties and special assignments as directed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position does not have direct organizational supervisory responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, some risk of contact with blood borne pathogens, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER

• Time commitment:
  • 40 Hours per week (average) for full-time
  • Mandatory overtime may be required
  • Must be willing to remain past shift on occasions if replacement coverage has not arrived
• If and when driving for VOA-TX business:
  • MVR background check (good driving record)
  • Valid Texas driver’s license
• Criminal background check