Direct Support Professional

Support Solutions has the following shifts open in our Newbern, TN Mental Health Group Home: 7a-7p Sat-Sun, and 7p-7a Sat- Sun.  

GENERAL FUNCTION:

The position involves providing support to individuals with mental illness as they develop/ maintain skills that enhance the quality of their lives in the community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

In order to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities assistance with performing the essential functions of this position.

1. Supports the person supported with personal care and daily routines, and in achieving outcomes from the Individual Support Plan.

2. Understands and practices Support Solutions’ philosophy and values in interactions with the person supported and community members by using respectful language, connecting the person supported to preferred activities and experiences, and ensuring that the person supported has on-going information from which to make choices.

3. Helps the person supported become integrated with the community by ensuring that he/she is included, respected, valued and has a variety of preferred relationships in the community of their choice.

4. Assures safe transport and accompanies the residents as needed to events, job sites, medical, social, recreational, and religious activities, utilizing Support Solutions’ (SS) vehicles, personal vehicles, or public transportation. This would include securing alternate transportation in instances where an unpaid support transports a person supported who presents a safety concern.

5. Ensures proper use of the person supported and agency resources including but not limited to personal funds, vehicles, buildings, utilities, telephones, money, equipment, food and supplies.

6. Cooks and provides meals based on scheduled menus, which will be posted.

7. Performs daily activities or teaches the person supported to do so, such as activities of daily living skills and other personal skills that work toward achieving independence.

8. Consistently works and documents improvement toward meeting outcomes.

9. Utilizes electronic records system including completing daily shift notes as required by funding entities.

10. Oversees storage and administration of medications.

11. Provides a minimum of two educational training sessions per week, dealing with issues like side effects of medication, public transportation, etc. (if indicated in the resident’s treatment plan), and document in progress notes. Training and materials will be provided by the organization.

12. Contacts the Development Director immediately if elopement or any illness that could result in hospitalization occurs. Know which events will require notification of Mobile Crisis and CIT and know how to contact them.

13. Alerts the Development Director regarding any resident suspected to be at risk of exclusion at first suspicion, and work with Development Director and mental health agency staff in minimizing risk until the point that a decision to exclude is made.

14. Provides a level of security for the residents' personal property as determined by the organization. Conducts nightly security checks of the facility and residents if working the night shift.

15. Ensures person supported is neat and clean with as much assistance from the person supported as possible.

16. Keeps house clean and does laundry with as much assistance from the person supported as possible, with laundry and cleaning schedules being posted.

17. Attends training regarding working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness to increase your awareness of this population and your skills in working with them. This training is provided by the organization and the mental health agencies with whom we partner. Must attend training sessions provided by the contracting agency, including initial staff orientation and a total of at least 10 training sessions per year.

MINIIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Must have a High School Diploma or GED. Must have a valid driver’s license and maintain a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record throughout employment with SS. First shift staff must have F Endorsement driver’s license. Must meet state and local requirements regarding criminal background check, sexual offender check, abuse registry, drug screening and felony offender listing. Must meet all training requirements and keep training current. Must be able to perform heavy lifting in the assistance of service recipients with personal care, if applicable. Must have some computer knowledge.

Benefits: 

•  Paid Weekly
• Paid Training 
•  Paid Time Off (PTO) 
•  Competitive Wages ($10 per hour) 
•  8 Paid Holidays per year 
•  401K Program 
•  Medical Insurance, Dental , Vision, Life Insurance 
•  Employee Assistance Program 

Support Solutions is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer who is committed to diversity. Support Solutions does not discriminate in employment opportunities, decisions or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetics, national origin, age, mental or physical handicap or disability, citizenship, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Support Solutions will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities; unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including hiring, job assignment, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.