Direct Support Professional - RBSCL

Changing someone’s life can also change your own. When a direct support professional joins the Balance Autism team as an Autism Associate, they are not only jumping into an exciting career, they are touching the lives of the children they work with on a daily basis.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL BE:

• Inspiring personal growth
• Teaching self-care
• Encouraging social skills development
• In some cases, aiding in vocational skills.

YOU'RE A GOOD FIT FOR THIS POSITION IF...

• You are passionate for people and autism. Helping others gives you satisfaction, even if the person doesn’t express gratitude in return.
• You are a curious learner. As an Autism Associate, you will continually learn new lessons about the nature of human behavior and the brain. Those who are naturally curious will find their work more fulfilling.
• You are engaged. For you, this is more than a job—it’s a career and a passion. You recognize that our work has a profound impact on the families we serve, and you’re passionate about making an impact on their lives while opening new doors for your career. You’re all-in.
• You are data-driven. You recognize that data is essential to our approach. You diligently collect and report data and base your actions on the results.
• You are optimistic. Your work can be stressful and emotionally demanding. But, for the well-being of our clients and our team members, you approach each day with a positive attitude. You also communicate frequently with your supervisor and tell them when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

BENEFITS:

• $18.75/hr
• Become a CMA and receive higher compensation
• 403 (b) retirement plan with up to 8% employer match
• Student loan repayment program with up to 8% contribution match (Full-time only)
• Medical, dental and vision insurance (Full-time only)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance (Full-time only)
• Generous PTO plans (Full-time only)

SUMMARY: RBSCL Autism Associates assist Persons Served in daily living skills and
follow behavioral plans by performing the duties listed below. These duties are
performed individually and with peer associates.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
• Ensures health and safety needs of the person served are met by communicating
concerns or issues related to cleanliness, health and safety, and other needs to
the individual and other appropriate staff.
• Focus every day on supporting people with autism as they gain higher levels of
independence, including skills related to hygiene, personal care, building social
relationships and networks, communication, vocational, and community
involvement as needed.
• Participates in the implementation, monitoring, and documentation of all
personalized programs, autism specific strategies and innovative solutions to
generate successful outcomes.
• Demonstrates appropriate duration of engagement with the individual by
conducting natural environment training (i.e., utilizing naturally occurring
opportunities for teaching and contriving additional teaching opportunities for
requests, transfer of skills, and generalization) and direct instruction during the
observation.
• Engages the individual in social and community interactions with peers and
adults during activities that are appropriate for the repertoire of the individual
served.
• Documents performance of targeted skills and goals accurately to provide
information that leads to the development of learning strategies and goals
including self-care skills, language development, behavior, and social skills.
Complete all documentation according to departmental guidelines.
• Maintain communication with leadership and peers to provide the best service to
Persons Served.
• Participate in team and departmental meetings and trainings as scheduled to
review skills, develop new skills, improve current skills, and promote consistency.
• Demonstrates an understanding of procedures, policies, and individuals we
serve.
• Properly uses training techniques and follows written Behavior Support Plans to
de-escalate situations to prevent injury to the employee and others.
• May prepare or monitor meal preparation; may eat with person served to act as
role model.
• Follows individual service plan including assisting Persons Served in Activities of
Daily Living (ADL) per their plan goals. Including, but not limited to daily hygiene
requirements.
• Other duties as assigned

SKILLS/ABILITIES:
• Language Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules,
operating and maintenance instruction, and procedure manuals. Ability to write.
Ability to speak effectively before persons served, inspectors, and/or employees
of organization
• Mathematical Skills - Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to
multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s. Ability to perform these operations using
units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.
• Computers Skills - To perform this job successfully, an individual should be able
to use trained knowledge of technology programs used by Balance Autism
including Payroll and Electronic Medical Record Systems.
• Reasoning Ability - Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete
variables in standardized situations. Demonstrates reasonable decision making
even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Job Knowledge - Requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how
job functions with other team members.
• Teamwork - Contributes to building a positive team spirit.
• Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a
harassment-free environment.

REQUIREMENTS:
• High school diploma or GED; preferred six months to a year of directly related
experience and/or training in human services or working with individuals with
autism.
• RBT certification preferred.
• Certified Medication Administration (CMA) preferred.
• Safety Care Certification preferred.
• Must complete 40 hours of Autism Specific training within first two weeks of
employment.

PHYSICAL/WORK REQUIREMENTS:
• As an RBSCL requirement, Autism Associates at these locations are required to
be awake at all times.
• Must be able to engage in physical activity including sitting, walking, standing,
kneeling, and can move quickly.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision,
color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to
wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment can be
loud.

We currently have Full-time and Part-time opportunities available in the following shifts:

1st Shift: 6:00AM to 2:00PM

2nd Shift: 2:00PM to 10:00PM

3rd Shift: 10:00PM to 6:00AM

Weekend Shifts: Saturdays & Sundays - 6:00AM to 10:00PM, Alternating Weekends

Shifts are primarily located in the Altoona, IA area

Balance Autism is an equal opportunity employer.